Space-borne Remote Sensing for Structural Health Monitoring

The Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE) Ottawa Chapter, proudly sponsored by the Ottawa Cold Region Roads Research Group (OCR3G) at the University of Ottawa, invites you to our upcoming technical seminar on Monday, May 13, spotlighting cutting‑edge structural monitoring technologies with national-scale impact. This seminar will be co‑hosted by CESA (Civil Engineering Students Association) at uOttawa and the CSCE Carleton Chapter.

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Daniel Cusson, Principal Research Officer at the National Research Council Canada (NRC), who will present breakthrough research on the use of space-borne remote sensing for early detection of bridge deformations, a transformative advancement in long‑span bridge surveillance, early-warning systems, and large-scale structural integrity assessment.

Leveraging Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR), Dr. Cusson and his NRC team have demonstrated how millimeter-level displacement measurements captured from satellites can supplement in‑situ structural health monitoring systems. This approach enables the detection of subtle structural movements across extensive geographic regions, supporting timely intervention, improved risk management, and informed decision‑making for Canada’s critical infrastructure networks.

Dr. Cusson will share insights from multiple case studies across the country including the North Channel Bridge in Cornwall, major Montreal bridges (Jacques‑Cartier, Victoria, Samuel de Champlain), the Confederation Bridge, the Red River Bridge, and the Liard River Suspension Bridge, showcasing real-world applications, benefits, limitations, and recommendations for infrastructure owners and researchers.

Please note: Tickets must be purchased at least 24 hours in advance. On‑site registration will not be available.

Tentative Schedule:

Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Location: STEM Complex, Room 117, University of Ottawa

• 5:30 – 6:00 PM | Pizza, Soft Drinks & Networking
• 6:00 – 7:00 PM | Presentation & Q&A
• 7:00 – 8:00 PM | Post-Seminar Networking

Key topics include:

· Space‑borne InSAR-based deformation monitoring of bridges

· Early detection of structural movements and deterioration

· Integration of satellite data with traditional SHM systems

· Monitoring displacement time series, displacement rates, and thermal effects

· Use of multispectral satellite imagery for hydraulic risk assessment, including river current direction and potential for pier scouring

· Advantages, limitations, and practical guidance for implementing satellite‑enhanced early‑warning tools

· Review of major Canadian bridge case studies from 2014 till present.

About the Speaker:

Dr. Daniel Cusson

Principal Research Officer & Team Lead, Asset Performance Assessment

National Research Council Canada

Dr. Cusson has been with NRC since 1994 and is recognized nationally and internationally for his contributions to infrastructure resilience, smart sensing technologies, and structural performance assessment. He holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (Structures) from Université de Sherbrooke and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at LCPC in Paris.

With over 225 publications, including 100+ peer‑reviewed papers and more than 4,450 citations, Dr. Cusson’s work continues to shape the future of smart infrastructure monitoring in Canada.

Who Should Attend?

This seminar is open to all CSCE members, CSCE student groups, faculty members, professionals, undergraduate and graduate students. Whether you are an emerging engineer or an experienced practitioner, this event is an excellent opportunity to gain insights into a rapidly evolving field with major implications for infrastructure safety and asset management.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Please note: CSCE will issue PDH certificates (showing 1.0 professional development hour) to participants who attend the seminar and confirm their email address on the Sign-In/Sign-Out sheet.

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