by M. L. Wang
First published 2018
Civil engineer M. L. Wang faces a world where aging bridges collapse without warning and critical infrastructure fails catastrophically. Wang must develop advanced sensor systems that can detect structural damage before disaster strikes. The challenge spans multiple fronts: creating robust data management systems, developing analysis techniques that can identify subtle signs of deterioration, and implementing monitoring solutions across bridges, towers, buildings, dams, tunnels, pipelines, and roads. Each structure presents unique obstacles that test Wang's methodologies. The work demands collaboration between structural engineers, electronics specialists, and data analysts who must transform raw sensor readings into actionable intelligence. As infrastructure systems grow more complex and aging networks face increasing stress, Wang's mission becomes a race against time to prevent catastrophic failures that could cost countless lives.
Genres: science, non-fiction, engineering, academic
Vibes: suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: race-against-time
738 pages · Paperback · Woodhead Publishing