Bouygues subsidiary to trial using ‘cosmic rays’ to inspect 30 bridges around the world

The news came after VSL International (part of Bouygues) entered into an international partnership with muon tomography start-up GScan, based in Estonia.

GScan has developed a method of 3D-scanning using muon flux, which relies on subatomic particles to classify materials and objects.

VSL International will trial the technology to inspect bridges in the UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, central and eastern Europe, and the Middle East. The company is responsible for over 100 inspection and repair projects annually.

The first phase of implementation will begin in Q2 2025.

Gscan uses muons – naturally occurring and harmless atmospheric radiation – along with AI analysis, to assess the chemical composition and structural integrity of infrastructure, such as bridges and tunnels. The company claims its technology can detect objects and chemical changes up to 10 metres deep and to an accuracy of up to 1mm. The technology provides detailed 3D imagery of the internal structure of assets.

Existing non-destructive testing (NDT) methods are only capable of assessing structural health up to a depth of 40cm in reinforced concrete.

Marek Helm, CEO of GScan, said, “We are excited to partner with VSL, a global structural specialist. This collaboration will allow us to bring our innovative muon scanning technology to a wider audience and contribute to the safety and longevity of critical infrastructure. In the UK alone, there are more than a thousand problematic post-tensioned bridges urgently waiting for GScan’s technology.”

Andreas Schwarz, repair and preservation business line manager at VSL International, said, “GScan’s technology has great potential to boost our ability to understand the condition of existing bridges and other infrastructure assets, in particular in areas difficult to reach with other NDT technologies. This partnership reinforces our commitment to providing our clients with the most advanced and effective solutions for structural assessment and maintenance.”

Could the power of cosmic rays offer a new way to scan for structural defects? Could subatomic particles called muons disrupt the construction modelling industry?