Bridging the Gap Theatre
Talk to the attendees about your ideas for the bridge industry!
- Display Monitor and laptop will be provided, bring your flash drive with your presentation!
- Presentations will be 25 minutes in length and scheduled every half hour during key times at the conference.
- Reserve your time(s) below!
Questions: email k.emmerson@eswp.com
2026 Schedule
Monday, 6/15 – 1:30 PM
The access challenge: using drones for NDT, core sampling and sensor installation
Roman Dautzenberg, Aithon Robotics
Accessing bridge infrastructure for inspection, testing and maintenance is slow, expensive and hazardous. Until now, drones have only added a visual layer, unable to physically interact with the structure. Aithon H2 is an aerial robot that perches and applies contact force with 10lb payloads: concrete coring, GPR, ultrasonic testing and sensor installation.
This presentation covers the technology, field deployments on European bridge infrastructure, and the access cost and data quality results. We discuss the current state of the art of robots for bridge investigations, where Aithon H2 fits within existing inspection workflows, and what the current limitations are. The goal is an honest picture of where the technology stands today, and what it will take to make it standard practice.
Monday, 6/15 – 2:00 PM
Innovations in bridge structural health monitoring – Applications and Case Studies
Farshad Mirshafiei, Sensequake
This presentation introduces Sensequake’s advanced, non-intrusive vibration-based structural health monitoring (SHM) technologies for evaluating the integrity of existing bridges and infrastructure. Using highly sensitive wireless sensors combined with patented analysis software, this approach rapidly extracts a structure’s dynamic properties to detect, locate, and quantify vulnerabilities without the need for original drawings, visual inspections, or permanent installations.
The presentation will demonstrate the applications of the technology by showcasing case studies from various DOTs (such as INDOT), organizations like NASA, major cities, and other asset owners across the US and internationally. These examples will ultimately show how this data-driven approach helps managers precisely track structural deterioration over time, optimize the cost and scope of retrofits, and help in the prioritization of maintenance budgets.
Tuesday, 6/16 – 10:00 AM
Revolutionizing Bridge Inspections with AI Powered 3D Defect Detection
Albert Mansour, ConeLabs
Traditional bridge inspections are notoriously dangerous, manual, and cost-prohibitive, leading to critical infrastructure gaps. This presentation introduces a game-changing, web-based platform that converts standard 2D imagery into high-resolution, hyper-accurate 3D models. Learn how our advanced AI automates the monotonous task of detecting cracks, spalls, and rust in a true 3D space — empowering inspectors to scale operations, lower risks, and extend structure lifespans without disruption.
Wednesday, 6/17 – 9:30 AM
Rope Mesh as structural substitute for footbridge structures – Learnings from case studies
Daniel Sekzer, Jakob, Inc.
This presentation explores the use of rope mesh systems as both fall-protection elements and integral load-bearing components of pedestrian bridge structures. Through the case studies of the Himmelhausmattesteg footbridge in Trubschachen and the La Pendenta suspension bridge in Disentis, Switzerland, it examines the mechanical properties, design methodology, testing procedures, and nonlinear structural behavior of rope meshes.
The presented projects demonstrate how rope meshes can effectively replace conventional hanger cables for suspension bridges while simultaneously serving as fall-protection systems. This dual functionality offers an innovative, lightweight, and efficient approach to bridge design, expanding the potential applications of rope mesh technology in modern pedestrian bridge engineering.