Joint scoping
Define asset, damage mode, specimen geometry, load profile, operational constraint and the decision the data is expected to improve.
Pilot / conditional pathway
A field trial is a validation instrument.
INFORM will treat a pilot as a controlled engineering study—not a product demonstration. Entry requires Stage 2 evidence, an asset-owner problem, comparator measurements and pre-agreed decision criteria.
Pilot boundary
No structural element should rely on INFORM sensing for safety-critical decisions during a pilot. Conventional engineering design, inspection and instrumentation remain authoritative.
Four controls before placement
Comparator instruments
Use strain gauges, FBG, DIC, vibration, acoustic or other appropriate methods so INFORM response can be benchmarked.
Pre-registered criteria
Fix sensitivity, repeatability, drift, false-alarm, missing-data and environmental-performance thresholds before testing.
Assurance and rights
Document engineer-of-record boundaries, WHS, insurance, IP, confidentiality, raw-data ownership and publication.
Match pilot risk to evidence maturity
| Environment | Why it is useful | Earliest fit | Primary constraint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Controlled laboratory element | Repeatable loading, environmental control and dense comparator instrumentation. | Stage 2 | Limited constructability realism. |
| Precast yard slab | Controlled materials, curing, access and loading with field-relevant production. | Stage 3 candidate | Production disruption and QA integration. |
| Private industrial slab | Known loads, controlled access and direct asset-owner operational questions. | Stage 3–4 | Vehicle/load ground truth and environmental drift. |
| Bridge deck section | High-value structural monitoring use case with strong comparator options. | Stage 4 only | Authority approvals, liability and long-duration evidence. |
| Safety-critical reliance | Outside the research-pilot boundary. | Not permitted | Certification, redundancy and independent assurance absent. |
Bring an asset problem—not just a pour location
A useful pilot begins with a maintenance, inspection or risk decision and works backward to the required signal, comparator and evidence design.