The deterioration of civil infrastructure in Canada and throughout the world has become a crisis that is expected to cost $900 billion to repair and replace. However, new technology developed by Intelligent Sensing for Innovative Structures (ISIS) can reduce the cost of rehabilitating existing civil structures by 50% over conventional methods, reduce maintenance costs and increase the design service life of structures to 100 years. Savings in Canada could total $100 billion over the next century.

ISIS is exploring smarter ways to build, repair and monitor structures using high-strength, non-corroding, fibre-reinforced polymers (FRPs) and fibre-optic sensors (FOSs). The Network will spend much of the next three years working with standards associations and civil engineers to promote the use of these technologies in structures throughout Canada and the world.

ISIS has won international praise for its expertise in developing FRP and FOS technologies. FRPs offers many advantages over conventional steel reinforcements in bridges, dams, pipelines, buildings and other structures. The material is six to 10 times stronger than steel and non-corrosive, resulting in a structure that lasts longer and requires less maintenance. The technology is currently used in over 50 structures in Canada, including the Confederation Bridge between Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

ISIS's other breakthrough technology, FOS, is fueling rapid advances in the emerging field of structural health monitoring (SHM). Miniature fibre-optic sensors installed in structures during construction can measure—in real-time—the effects of stress, wind, precipitation and even temperature. The research has led to commercial products, including two readout instruments and a sensor system component. ISIS is now looking at developing a wireless equivalent of the technology.

ISIS design manuals are used by engineers in 50 countries. The Network is also influencing design policy through its association with Public Works and Government Services Canada, engineering consultants and bridge-design offices in city and provincial highway departments across the country. Internationally, ISIS was instrumental in helping to form the International Society for Health Monitoring of Intelligent Infrastructures and the International Institute for FRP Construction.

Planning is underway to establish a new entity, called Civionics Canada Research Network. ISIS coined the word "civionics" to explain the application of electronics to civil structures. As a first step, user manuals for civionics have been prepared and a SHM Support Centre has been established in Winnipeg to meet the needs of ISIS researchers. Over time, ISIS hopes to open support centres in Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Ontario, the Prairies and British Columbia to provide professional consulting on the installation and use of sensors and other equipment, as well as data management services.

ISIS spearheaded the update of the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code to include the use of ISIS technologies in the design of civil engineering structures. It is the only code in the world that permits the use of FRPs for strength and reinforcement on new and rehabilitated bridges and structures made of concrete or wood. With its up-to-date design provisions, engineers around the world consider the CHBDC to be the leading code for bridge design. It will not only have an impact on the design of civil structures in Canada, but also influence the updating of similar codes worldwide. It is a historic moment for ISIS Canada in its efforts to transfer its research into practice.

Intelligent Sensing for Innovative Structures - ISIS (1995-2011)
Focus:	To advance Canadian civil engineering to a world leadership position through the development and application of fibre reinforced polymers and fibre optic sensors technologies.
Funding:	$40.35 million for entire funding period
Strength:	86 researchers and 173 Highly Qualified Personnel
Partnership Power:	68 industry, public service and academic partners
Scientific Director and President:	Dr. Aftab Mufti
Web site:	www.isiscanada.ca