Last March, a toll highway sign gantry collapsed due to a fracture at the base of a column. The investigation determined that the cause was corrosion fatigue, triggered by the accumulation of de-icing salts. This case reminds us that visual inspection is not always sufficient.
Pipeline 3D: from point cloud to forensic analysis 🛠️
To document the collapse, a FARO laser scanner was used, processing the data in FARO Scene. The resulting point cloud was exported to Autodesk ReCap for cleaning and registration. With this model, it was possible to accurately measure the fractured section and simulate accumulated stresses. The workflow allowed experts to calculate the remaining service life and confirm that stress corrosion was the determining factor in the failure.
The salt that binds us: when de-icing gets personal 🧂
De-icing salts have a special knack for getting where they are not invited. In this case, they accumulated at the base of the column for years, creating a perfect environment for corrosion. The gantry held on stoically until it had enough. Perhaps we should consider that, just like in relationships, the accumulation of small unresolved problems eventually brings everything down.