scholarly journals A Practitioner’s Guide to Small Unmanned Aerial Systems for Bridge Inspection

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 72
Author(s):  
Sattar Dorafshan ◽  
Robert J. Thomas ◽  
Calvin Coopmans ◽  
Marc Maguire
Keyword(s):  
The United States ◽  
Emerging Technology ◽  
Unmanned Aerial Systems ◽  
Unmanned Aerial System ◽  
Bridge Inspection ◽  
Bridge Inspections ◽  
The Right ◽  
Aerial Systems ◽  
Departments Of Transportation ◽  
Selection Of

Small unmanned aerial system(s) (sUAS) are rapidly emerging as a practical means of performing bridge inspections. Under the right condition, sUAS assisted inspections can be safer, faster, and less costly than manned inspections. Many Departments of Transportation in the United States are in the early stages of adopting this emerging technology. However, definitive guidelines for the selection of equipment for various types of bridge inspections or for the possible challenges during sUAS assisted inspections are absent. Given the large investments of time and capital associated with deploying a sUAS assisted bridge inspection program, a synthesis of authors experiences will be useful for technology transfer between academics and practitioners. In this paper, the authors list the challenges associated with sUAS assisted bridge inspection, discuss equipment and technology options suitable for mitigating these challenges, and present case studies for the application of sUAS to several specific bridge inspection scenarios. The authors provide information to sUAS designers and manufacturers who may be unaware of the specific challenges associated with sUAS assisted bridge inspection. As such, the information presented here may reveal the demands in the design of purpose-built sUAS inspection platforms.

Application of Unmanned Aerial Systems for Bridge Inspection

2021 ◽  
pp. 036119812110318
Author(s):  
Hoda Azari ◽  
Dennis O’Shea ◽  
Joe Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Base ◽  
Unmanned Aerial Systems ◽  
Technological Advancement ◽  
Bridge Inspection ◽  
Pilot Studies ◽  
Early Adoption ◽  
Bridge Inspections ◽  
Tremendous Amount ◽  
Aerial Systems

Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are experiencing tremendous growth in both the technological advancement of the systems themselves and the expansion of practical uses for the systems. One application for this system includes the use of UAS as a tool in support of bridge inspections. The ability to fly UAS into positions difficult to reach by an inspector has the potential to save time, reduce costs, and improve safety. An increasing number of bridge owners are exploring the use of UAS for bridge inspections through pilot studies and early adoption as an integral part of their inspection processes. This study aims to enhance the industry awareness and knowledge base of stakeholders in bridge inspection processes. This paper presents the aircraft and sensors used to assist or augment inspections, the data needs of the bridge owners that can be provided through the use of UAS, and the means and methods by which the bridge owner, or the organization supporting the bridge owner, can manage the tremendous amount of data that can be collected by sensors deployed on UAS during an inspection.

scholarly journals SOME APPROACHES TO COMPERATIVE ASSESSMENT AND SELECTION OF UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS

Aviation ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 57-64
Author(s):  
Mykola Kulyk ◽  
Valeriy Silkov ◽  
Alexei Samkov
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
System Application ◽  
Comparative Assessment ◽  
Unmanned Aerial Systems ◽  
Unmanned Aerial System ◽  
Distribution Of Resources ◽  
Aerial Systems ◽  
Selection Of

Methods to solve the problems of the comparative assessment and selection of unmanned aerial systems are offered. These methods are based on the particular indicators that display the efficiency of unmanned aerial system application. An algorithm that helps to solve such problems has been developed to create a system of support and decision making and to optimise the distribution of resources.

LIGHTER-THAN-AIR (LTA) UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEM (UAS) CARRIER CONCEPT FOR SURVAILLANCE AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 1255
Author(s):  
Ahmad Salahuddin Mohd Harithuddin ◽  
Mohd Fazri Sedan ◽  
Syaril Azrad Md Ali ◽  
Shattri Mansor ◽  
Hamid Reza Jifroudi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles ◽  
Disaster Management ◽  
Unmanned Aerial Systems ◽  
Unmanned Aerial System ◽  
Border Control ◽  
Aerial Vehicles ◽  
Operational Safety ◽  
In Situ Methods ◽  
Aerial Systems

Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) has many advantages in the fields of SURVAILLANCE and disaster management compared to space-borne observation, manned missions and in situ methods. The reasons include cost effectiveness, operational safety, and mission efficiency. This has in turn underlined the importance of UAS technology and highlighted a growing need in a more robust and efficient unmanned aerial vehicles to serve specific needs in SURVAILLANCE and disaster management. This paper first gives an overview on the framework for SURVAILLANCE particularly in applications of border control and disaster management and lists several phases of SURVAILLANCE and service descriptions. Based on this overview and SURVAILLANCE phases descriptions, we show the areas and services in which UAS can have significant advantage over traditional methods.

Implementation of Virtual Reality in Routine Bridge Inspection

2003 ◽  
Vol 1827 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
David V. Jáuregui ◽  
Kenneth R. White
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Bridge Management ◽  
Bridge Inspection ◽  
Image Creation ◽  
Bridge Inspections ◽  
Recorded Data ◽  
Media Types ◽  
Inspection Data ◽  
Selection Of

The innovative use of QuickTime Virtual Reality (QTVR) and panoramic image–creation utilities for recording field observations and measurements during routine bridge inspections is reported. A virtual reality approach provides the ability to document a bridge’s physical condition by using different media types at a significantly higher level of detail than is possible in a written bridge inspection report. Digitally recorded data can be stored on compact disc for easy access before, during, or after an inspection. The development of a QTVR bridge record consists of four major steps: selection of the camera stations, acquisition of the digital images, creation of cylindrical or cubic panoramas, and rendering of the QTVR file. Specific details related to these steps are provided, as applied to various bridge inspection projects. The potential impact of QTVR on bridge management—in which routine inspection data are a factor in making decisions regarding the future maintenance, rehabilitation, or replacement of a bridge—is discussed.

scholarly journals Controlling the Operation Process of the Unmanned Aerial System

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-36
Author(s):  
Leszek Ułanowicz ◽  
Michał Jóźko ◽  
Paweł Szczepaniak
Keyword(s):  
Technical Condition ◽  
Unmanned Aerial Systems ◽  
Unmanned Aerial System ◽  
Operation System ◽  
Mutual Relation ◽  
Operation Process ◽  
Credible Information ◽  
Technical Operation ◽  
And Control ◽  
Aerial Systems

Abstract The development of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) encountered the problem of controlling the process of technical operation. The literature that is available to the authors lacks credible information concerning the principles of specifying the strategy and control of the process of UAS operation. Hence, it is necessary to recognise and interpret the basic UAS operation features. The purpose of the publication is to present the properties of the UAS as an object of operation and the mutual relation of the technical operation process with the UAS’ technical condition alteration process. We present the results of analyses in terms of functionality and the UAS’ utility potential. The publication pays special attention to the properties of the UAS as an object of operation. The paper includes the analysis of the UAS operation principles and the specification of the advantage and disadvantage of those principles, i.e. using a non-repairable UAS until damaged, using a repairable UAS until damaged, periodical technical servicing, continuous diagnostic operation. The proposals for the control models in the UAS operation system have also been included.

Field Application of UAS-Based Bridge Inspection

2018 ◽  
Vol 2672 (12) ◽  
pp. 72-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junwon Seo ◽  
Luis Duque ◽  
James P. Wacker
Keyword(s):  
South Dakota ◽  
Structural Damage ◽  
Image Data ◽  
Field Application ◽  
Unmanned Aerial Systems ◽  
Department Of Transportation ◽  
Bridge Inspection ◽  
Bridge Damage ◽  
Efficient Alternative ◽  
Aerial Systems

The use of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs), commonly known as drones, has significantly increased over recent years in the field of civil engineering. In detail, the need for a more efficient alternative for bridge inspection has risen because of the increased interest from bridge owners. The primary goal of this paper is to evaluate the efficiency of a drone as a supplemental bridge inspection tool. To complete this study, a glued laminated (glulam) girder with a composite concrete deck bridge was chosen in South Dakota, and a Dà-Jiāng Innovations (DJI) Phantom 4 drone, was employed to perform the bridge inspection. Based on the literature review, an inspection procedure with a drone was developed to efficiently identify damage on the bridge. A drone-enabled inspection was performed following the procedure, and resulting images were checked with those available in the past inspection report from South Dakota Department of Transportation (DOT). This study includes UAS-based bridge inspection considerations to capture appropriate image data necessary for bridge damage determination. A key finding demonstrated throughout this project is that different types of structural damage on the bridge were identified using the UAS.

scholarly journals Unmanned aerial systems (uas or drones) and data protection: some reflections on recreational drones and their privacy impact

2021 ◽  
pp. 28-52
Author(s):  
Jose Zamora Manzano
Keyword(s):  
Data Protection ◽  
Unmanned Aerial Systems ◽  
Unmanned Aerial System ◽  
Theoretical Knowledge ◽  
Minimum Age ◽  
Aerial Systems

Edycja ANGIELSKI Nowadays, in order to fly a drone weighing less than 250 grams, it is not necessary to take any kind of exam or theoretical knowledge through the EASA, but simply to familiarise oneself with the user manual which, although it normally contains the flight instructions, does not contain references to data protection or its legislation. The problem may arise from the fact that the drone is considered a toy in accordance with Directive 2009/48/EC, and that it has sensors capable of capturing images. In addition, there is no minimum age requirement for remote pilots of these toys operating in subcategory A1 specified in Part A of the Annex to this Regulation with a class C0 UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) as defined in Part 1 of the Annex to Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945; although twelve years is the age for pilots of mass up to 250 grams, which are not considered toys, for the use of UAS in subcategory A1, as provided for in section UAS.OPEN.020, Part A of the Annex to the Implementing Regulation. In this study we will analyse the privacy and data issues that affect the European and Spanish regulation on UAS.

scholarly journals Observations of the atmosphere and surface state over Terra Nova Bay, Antarctica, using unmanned aerial systems

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
John J. Cassano ◽  
Mark W. Seefeldt ◽  
Scott Palo ◽  
Shelley L. Knuth ◽  
Alice C. Bradley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ross Sea ◽  
The United States ◽  
Unmanned Aircraft ◽  
Unmanned Aerial Systems ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Terra Nova Bay ◽  
Atmospheric State ◽  
Terra Nova ◽  
Aerial Systems

Abstract. In September 2012 five Aerosonde unmanned aircraft were used to make measurements of the atmospheric state over the Terra Nova Bay polynya, Antarctica, to explore the details of air–sea ice–ocean coupling. A total of 14 flights were completed in September 2012. Ten of the flight missions consisted of two unmanned aerial systems (UAS) sampling the atmosphere over Terra Nova Bay on 5 different days, with one UAS focusing on the downwind evolution of the air mass and a second UAS flying transects roughly perpendicular to the low-level winds. The data from these coordinated UAS flights provide a comprehensive three-dimensional data set of the atmospheric state (air temperature, humidity, pressure, and wind) and surface skin temperature over Terra Nova Bay. The remaining UAS flights during the September 2012 field campaign included two local flights near McMurdo Station for flight testing, a single UAS flight to Terra Nova Bay, and a single UAS flight over the Ross Ice Shelf and Ross Sea polynya. A data set containing the atmospheric and surface data as well as operational aircraft data have been submitted to the United States Antarctic Program Data Coordination Center (USAP-DCC, http://www.usap-data.org/) for free access (http://gcmd.nasa.gov/getdif.htm?NSF-ANT10-43657, doi:10.15784/600125).

scholarly journals Thermokarst Development Detected from High-Definition Topographic Data in Central Yakutia

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1579 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hitoshi Saito ◽  
Yoshihiro Iijima ◽  
Nikolay Basharin ◽  
Alexander Fedorov ◽  
Viktor Kunitsky
Keyword(s):  
Arable Land ◽  
Average Diameter ◽  
Unmanned Aerial Systems ◽  
High Definition ◽  
Lena River ◽  
Topographic Data ◽  
Central Yakutia ◽  
Air Temperatures ◽  
The Right ◽  
Aerial Systems

Eastern Siberia is characterized by widespread permafrost thawing and subsequent thermokarst development. Estimation of the impacts of the predicted rise in precipitation and air temperatures under climate change requires quantitative knowledge about the spatial distribution of thermokarst development. In the last few years, unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and structure-from-motion multi-view stereo (SfM-MVS) photogrammetry attracted a tremendous amount of interest for acquiring high-definition topographic data. This study detected characteristics of thermokarst landforms using UAS and SfM-MVS photogrammetry at a disused airfield (3.0 ha) and for arable land that was previously used for farming (6.3 ha) in the Churapcha area, located on the right bank of the Lena River in central Yakutia. Orthorectified photographs and digital terrain models with spatial resolutions of 4.0 cm and 8.0 cm, respectively, were obtained for this study. At the disused airfield site and the abandoned arable land, 174 and 867 high-centered polygons that developed after the 1990s were detected, respectively. The data showed that the average diameter and average area of the polygons at the disused airfield site were 11.6 m and 111.2 m2, respectively, while those of the polygons in the abandoned arable land were 7.4 m and 46.8 m2, respectively. The abandoned arable land was characterized by smaller polygons and a higher polygon density. The differences in polygon size for the abandoned arable land and the disused airfield site indicate a difference in the ice wedge distributions and thermokarst developments. The subsidence rate was estimated as 2.1 cm/year for the disused airfield site and 3.9 cm/year for the abandoned arable land.

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