Use of Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for Structural Inspection

The objective of this research project was to develop and demonstrate a small unmanned aerial vehicle system (sUAV) that can be used to perform structural inspections currently requiring under-bridge inspection vehicles (UBIV). One goal was to create an sUAV with the ability to provide data and deficiency identification with the same or better accuracy than that acquired by current visual methods. This project included the optimization of University of Florida sUAVs equipped with optical sensors, an assessment of available image processing software, and an assessment of current data storage. Six high mast light poles (HMLP) and eight bridges were inspected as part of this project; approximately half of the inspections were performed alongside traditional inspections, and the remainder were performed with no prior knowledge of the structure to compare findings with the results of recently performed inspections. Cost and data storage requirements were compared between current inspection procedures and sUAV inspections to quantify potential changes resulting from utilizing sUAV for structural inspections

• Record URL:
  https://fdotwww.blob.core.windows.net/sitefinity/docs/default-source/research/reports/fdot-bdv31-977-55-rpt.pdf
• 
• Summary URL:
  https://fdotwww.blob.core.windows.net/sitefinity/docs/default-source/research/reports/fdot-bdv31-977-55-sum.pdf
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Florida

  Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure & Environment
  365 Weil Hall, P.O. Box 116550
  Gainesville, FL  United States  32611

  Florida Department of Transportation

  605 Suwannee Street
  Tallahassee, FL  United States  32399-0450
• Authors:
  • Bridge, Jennifer A
  • Ifju, Peter G
  • Whitley, Travis J
  • Tomiczek, Andrew P
• Publication Date: 2018-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Draft Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 165p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridges; Drones; Inspection; Structural analysis; Support poles
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Bridges and other structures; Maintenance and Preservation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01675709
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: BDV31-977-55
• Files: TRIS, ATRI, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jul 23 2018 2:12PM