Graduate Emma applies mathematics to smarter bridge management

When Emma Schuite began looking for a graduation placement, she never expected to end up working on bridges. Yet it turned out to be the perfect challenge. As an Applied Mathematics student, she was given the opportunity at Iv to apply her analytical expertise to an issue that affects the whole of the Netherlands: how can we keep our bridges safe while avoiding unnecessary early replacement?

When she spotted an Iv poster at Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, her interest was immediately sparked. “I instantly thought: this is exactly what I’m looking for. I’ve been interested by infrastructure and engineering since I was young. My grandfather used to take me to the locks in Terneuzen. We would stand there together watching the enormous ships passing through the lock complex. That fascination with engineering has stayed with me ever since.”

A graduation project that benefits the whole of the Netherlands

The Netherlands is facing a major replacement and renovation challenge. Many bridges were designed decades ago for traffic volumes and loading conditions that are very different from those of today. But how do you determine whether a bridge can continue to be used safely without replacing it prematurely?

That was exactly the question Emma tackled during her graduation project. She developed a mathematical model that uses strain measurements taken at easily accessible locations to determine stresses at locations in a bridge that are difficult to access. To achieve this, she combined sensor data with a finite element model. She validated the method using Iv’s aluminium test bridge, which is equipped with sensors.

For Emma, the combination of theory and practice made the project particularly rewarding. “During my degree, you mainly learn how to think analytically: what do you know, what do you observe, and what conclusions can you draw from that? At Iv, I learned how to apply that knowledge to solve a practical engineering challenge. Throughout my placement, I kept asking myself: how can Iv build on this work in the future?”

From theory to a working solution

The knowledge Emma gained during her studies could be applied directly in practice at Iv. The highlight of her placement came when it became clear that her model actually worked. “That was really exciting. You start with a mathematical model on paper and, in the end, you can demonstrate exactly where a bridge is subjected to high loads. That’s when you suddenly see all the pieces of the puzzle come together.”

A collaborative environment for sharing ideas

Although Emma carried out her research independently, she was never on her own. Every week, the team came together for a weekly meeting, where colleagues shared updates on their work and exchanged knowledge. This created plenty of opportunities to ask questions, discuss ideas and continue developing the system together. “I really enjoyed feeling that I was genuinely part of the team. Everyone made me feel very welcome at Iv.”

From graduation research to practical application

Emma’s thesis did not disappear into a drawer. Iv has been working on real-time bridge asset management for some time, and her research forms an important building block in that development. Her work enables sensor data and computational models to be integrated more effectively, allowing stresses at difficult-to-access critical details to be determined in real time.

Garry Vandeberg sees Emma’s research as an important step forward. “Emma has made a valuable contribution to a new approach that we have been developing for some time. Many of the building blocks are now in place. The next step is to bring them together into a single integrated solution that will enable us to support bridge and other civil structure asset managers even more effectively.”

An internship that even surprised Emma

Emma completed her thesis with a solid 8. And perhaps even more importantly, her internship got her thinking about her own future. “I think it’s important to keep challenging myself,” she says. “In my course, I was the only one who chose such a technical final-year project at an engineering firm. It took my lecturers a while to adjust too, but that’s exactly what I enjoyed. Trying new things and thinking outside the box – that’s really in my nature.”

And that need to keep challenging herself also shapes her outlook on the future. For instance, Emma is considering becoming a reservist with the Ministry of Defence. But first, a well-deserved holiday is on the cards. After that, she’ll take her time to decide on her next step. Could that perhaps be with Iv? She certainly isn’t ruling that out either.