scholarly journals Strain Monitoring Strategy of Deformed Membrane Cover Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Assisted 3D Photogrammetry

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (17) ◽  
pp. 2738
Author(s):  
Benjamin Steven Vien ◽  
Leslie Wong ◽  
Thomas Kuen ◽  
Frank Courtney ◽  
Jayantha Kodikara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Health Assessment ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Aerial Images ◽  
Critical Function ◽  
Integrity Assessment ◽  
Aerial Photogrammetry ◽  
Aerial Vehicle

Large structures and high-value assets require inspection and integrity assessment methodologies that ensure maximum availability and operational capabilities. Large membranes are used as floating covers at the anaerobic wastewater lagoons of Melbourne Water’s Western Treatment Plant (WTP). A critical function of this high-value asset pertains to the harnessing of the biogas gas generated at these lagoons as well as protecting the environment from the release of odours and greenhouse gases. Therefore, a proactive inspection and efficient management strategy are required to ensure these expensive covers’ integrity and continued operation. Not only is identifying the state of stress on the floating cover crucial for its structural integrity assessment, but the development of rapid and non-contact inspections will significantly assist in determining the “real-life” performance of the cover for superior maintenance management. This study investigates a strain determination method for WTP floating cover which integrates unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-assisted photogrammetry with finite element analyses to determine the structural integrity of these covers. Collective aerial images were compiled to form 3D digital models of the deformed cover specimens, which were then employed in computational and statistical analyses to assess and predict the strain of the cover. The findings complement the future implementation of UAV-assisted aerial photogrammetry for structural health assessment of the large floating covers.

Structural Assessment of Large Membrane Structures Using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Aided Photogrammetry: Determination of Flight Parameters and Trials at the Western Treatment Plant

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leslie Wong ◽  
Frank Courtney ◽  
Benjamin Steven Vien ◽  
Thomas Kuen ◽  
Peter Douglas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Surface Deformation ◽  
Health Assessment ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Integrity Assessment ◽  
Structural Health ◽  
Structural Health Assessment ◽  
Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Flight Parameters

Abstract Floating covers are examples of a large membrane structure used at sewage treatment plants. At the Western Treatment Plant (WTP), Werribee, Melbourne, Australia, floating covers are used in the anaerobic lagoons. They are deployed to assist with the anaerobic treatment of the raw sewage beneath, to harness the methane-rich biogas generated, and for odor control. In this respect, these floating covers are important assets for harnessing a sustainable and renewable energy source, as well as protecting the environment from the release of the damaging greenhouse methane-rich biogas from the treatment plant. Given the continuous nature of the biological process beneath the cover, the forces imposed on the floating cover will change with time. Hence, the monitoring and the assessment of the structural integrity of the floating cover are of paramount importance. These floating covers are made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), a polymeric material. The size of these covers, the hazardous environment, and the expected life span demand a novel, remotely piloted, unmanned aerial vehicle based noncontact technique for the structural health assessment. This assessment methodology will utilize photogrammetry as the basis for determining the surface deformation of the membrane. This paper reports on an experimental study to determine the flight parameters and to assess the accuracy of the measurement technique. It was conducted over an area having similar dimensions to the large covers at the WTP. There are also features in this area, which are of similar scale to those expected in the floating cover. A total of nine test flights were used to investigate the parameters for optimal definition of the significant features to describe the deformation of the floating cover. The findings inform the selection of the unmanned aerial vehicle assisted photogrammetry parameters for optimal flight altitude, photogrammetry image overlap, and flight grid path for future integrity assessment of the floating covers. Two trial flights at WTP are also discussed to demonstrate the effectiveness of this noncontact technique for the future structural health assessment and in assisting with the operation of this large high-value asset.

scholarly journals Remote Monitoring of Floating Covers Using UAV Photogrammetry

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 1118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leslie Wong ◽  
Benjamin Steven Vien ◽  
Yue Ma ◽  
Thomas Kuen ◽  
Frank Courtney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Health Assessment ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Renewable Resource ◽  
The State ◽  
Integrity Assessment ◽  
Structural Health Assessment ◽  
Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Definition Of

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is commonly the material of choice for covered anaerobic lagoons (CAL) at wastewater treatment plants. The membrane floats on the wastewater, and hence is called a “floating cover”, and is used for odour control and to harvest the methane-rich biogas as a renewable resource to generate electricity. The floating cover is an expensive and high-value asset that demands an efficient methodology for the determination of a set of engineering quantities for structural integrity assessment. Given the dynamics of the anaerobic activities under the floating cover, the state of deformation of the floating cover is an engineering measurand that is useful for its structural health assessment. A non-contact measurement strategy is preferred as it offers practical and safety-related benefits over other methods. In collaboration with Melbourne Water Corporation (MWC), an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) assisted photogrammetry approach was developed to address this need. Following the definition of the appropriate flight parameters required to quantify the state of deformation of the cover, a series of periodic flights were operated over the very large floating covers at MWC’s Western Treatment Plant (WTP) at Werribee, Victoria, Australia. This paper aims to demonstrate the effectiveness and practicality of this inspection technique to determine the state of deformation of the floating covers measured over a ten-month period.

scholarly journals Utilizing drone technology in the civil engineering

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-37
Author(s):  
Matúš Tkáč ◽  
Peter Mésároš
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Civil Engineering ◽  
Aerial Images ◽  
General Overview ◽  
Aerial Photogrammetry ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Aerial Vehicle

Abstract An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAVs), also known as drone technology, is used for different types of application in the civil engineering. Drones as a tools that increase communication between construction participants, improves site safety, uses topographic measurements of large areas, with using principles of aerial photogrammetry is possible to create buildings aerial surveying, bridges, roads, highways, saves project time and costs, etc. The use of UAVs in the civil engineering can brings many benefits; creating real-time aerial images from the building objects, overviews reveal assets and challenges, as well as the broad lay of the land, operators can share the imaging with personnel on site, in headquarters and with sub-contractors, planners can meet virtually to discuss project timing, equipment needs and challenges presented by the terrain. The aim of this contribution is to create a general overview of the use of UAVs in the civil engineering. The contribution also contains types of UAVs used for construction purposes, their advantages and also disadvantages.

scholarly journals Recent Advances in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Forest Remote Sensing—A Systematic Review. Part I: A General Framework

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riccardo Dainelli ◽  
Piero Toscano ◽  
Salvatore Filippo Di Gennaro ◽  
Alessandro Matese
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Forest Monitoring ◽  
Machine Learning Techniques ◽  
Planted Forests ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
Aerial Photogrammetry ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Aerial Vehicle

Natural, semi-natural, and planted forests are a key asset worldwide, providing a broad range of positive externalities. For sustainable forest planning and management, remote sensing (RS) platforms are rapidly going mainstream. In a framework where scientific production is growing exponentially, a systematic analysis of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based forestry research papers is of paramount importance to understand trends, overlaps and gaps. The present review is organized into two parts (Part I and Part II). Part II inspects specific technical issues regarding the application of UAV-RS in forestry, together with the pros and cons of different UAV solutions and activities where additional effort is needed, such as the technology transfer. Part I systematically analyzes and discusses general aspects of applying UAV in natural, semi-natural and artificial forestry ecosystems in the recent peer-reviewed literature (2018–mid-2020). The specific goals are threefold: (i) create a carefully selected bibliographic dataset that other researchers can draw on for their scientific works; (ii) analyze general and recent trends in RS forest monitoring (iii) reveal gaps in the general research framework where an additional activity is needed. Through double-step filtering of research items found in the Web of Science search engine, the study gathers and analyzes a comprehensive dataset (226 articles). Papers have been categorized into six main topics, and the relevant information has been subsequently extracted. The strong points emerging from this study concern the wide range of topics in the forestry sector and in particular the retrieval of tree inventory parameters often through Digital Aerial Photogrammetry (DAP), RGB sensors, and machine learning techniques. Nevertheless, challenges still exist regarding the promotion of UAV-RS in specific parts of the world, mostly in the tropical and equatorial forests. Much additional research is required for the full exploitation of hyperspectral sensors and for planning long-term monitoring.

scholarly journals Use of a Novel Resistive Strain Sensor Approach in an Experimental and Theoretical Study Concerning Large Spherical Storage Tank Structure Behavior During Its Operational Life and Pressure Tests

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 525
Author(s):  
Virgil Florescu ◽  
Stefan Mocanu ◽  
Laurentiu Rece ◽  
Robert Ursache ◽  
Nicolae Goga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Storage Tank ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Fem Simulation ◽  
Strain Sensor ◽  
Sensor Data ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Integrity Assessment ◽  
Operational Life ◽  
Large Spherical

This paper introduces a new method for the use of tensor-resistive sensors in large spherical storage tank equipment (over 12,000-mm diameters). We did an experiment with 19 petroleum or ammonia product sphere-shaped storage tanks with volumes of 1000 and 1800 cubic meters, respectively. The existing literature only contains experiments based on sensors for tanks with diameters no larger than 600 mm. Based on a number of resistive strain sensor measurements on large spherical pressurized vessels regarding structural integrity assessment, the present paper is focused on the comparison between "real-life" obtained sensor data versus finite element method (FEM) simulation results. The present paper is structured in three parts and examines innovative directions: the use of the classic tensor-resistive sensors in a new approach concerning large structural equipment; an original 3D modeling method with the help of the FEM; and conclusions with possible implications on the regulations, design, or maintenance as a result of the attempt of mutual validation of the new methods previously mentioned.

Fast Data Acquisition of Aerial Images Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle System

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 162
Author(s):  
Norhadija Darwin ◽  
Anuar Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
Data Acquisition ◽  
Root Mean Square ◽  
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Digital Camera ◽  
Aerial Images ◽  
Mean Square ◽  
Fast Data Acquisition ◽  
Vehicle System ◽  
Aerial Vehicle

The present work discusses the technique and methodology of analysing the potential of fast data acquisition of aerial images using unmanned aerial vehicle system. This study utilizes UAV system for large scale mapping by using digital camera attached to the UAV. UAV is developed from the low-altitude photogrammetric mapping to perform the accuracy of the aerial photography and the resolution of the image. The Ground Control Points (GCPs) and Check Points (CPs) are established using Rapid Static techniques through GPS observation for registration purpose in photogrammetric process. The GCPs is used in the photogrammetric processes to produce photogrammetric output while the CP is employed for accuracy assessment. A Pentax Optio W90 consumer digital camera is also used in image acquisition of the aerial photograph. Besides, this study also involves image processing and map production using Erdas Imagine 8.6 software. The accuracy of the orthophoto is determined using the equation of Root Mean Square Error (RMSE). The final result from orthophoto is compared to the ground survey using total station to show the different accuracy of DEM and planimetric survey. It is discovered that root mean square errors obtained from UAV system are ± 0.510, ± 0.564 and ± 0.622 for coordinate x, y and z respectively. Hence, it can be concluded that the accuracy obtained from UAV system is achieved in sub meter. In a nutshell, UAV system has potential use for large scale mapping in field of surveying and other diversified environmental applications especially for small area which has limited time and less man power.

scholarly journals Feasibility Study Using UAV Aerial Photogrammetry for a Boundary Verification Survey of a Digitalized Cadastral Area in an Urban City of Taiwan

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1682
Author(s):  
Shih-Hong Chio ◽  
Cheng-Chu Chiang
Keyword(s):  
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Focal Length ◽  
Horizontal Distance ◽  
Control Points ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Aerial Photogrammetry ◽  
Cadastral Maps ◽  
Urban City ◽  
Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Overlap Analysis

In conducting land boundary verification surveys in digitalized cadastral areas in Taiwan, possible parcel points must be surveyed. These points are employed in the overlap analysis and map registration of possible parcel points and digitalized cadastral maps to identify the coordinates of parcel points. Based on the computed horizontal distance and angle between control points and parcel points, parcels are staked out using ground surveys. Most studies survey possible parcel points using ground surveys with, for example, total stations. Compared with ground surveys, UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) aerial photogrammetry can provide more possible parcel points. Thus, an overlap analysis of digitalized cadastral maps, combined with the collection of possible parcel points, will be more comprehensive. In this study, a high-quality-medium format camera, with a 55 mm focal length, was carried on a rotary UAV to take images, with a 3 cm ground sampling distance (GSD), flying 300 m above the ground. The images were taken with an 80% end-lap and side-lap to increase the visibility of the terrain details for stereo-mapping. According to the test conducted in this study, UAV aerial photogrammetry can accurately provide supplementary control points and assist in the boundary verification of digitalized cadastral areas in Taiwan.

scholarly journals Application of Deep-Learning Methods to Bird Detection Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Imagery

Sensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (7) ◽  
pp. 1651 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suk-Ju Hong ◽  
Yunhyeok Han ◽  
Sang-Yeon Kim ◽  
Ah-Yeong Lee ◽  
Ghiseok Kim
Keyword(s):  
Deep Learning ◽  
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Migratory Bird ◽  
Aerial Images ◽  
Aerial Photographs ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Single Shot ◽  
Convolutional Network ◽  
Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Bird Detection

Wild birds are monitored with the important objectives of identifying their habitats and estimating the size of their populations. Especially in the case of migratory bird, they are significantly recorded during specific periods of time to forecast any possible spread of animal disease such as avian influenza. This study led to the construction of deep-learning-based object-detection models with the aid of aerial photographs collected by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The dataset containing the aerial photographs includes diverse images of birds in various bird habitats and in the vicinity of lakes and on farmland. In addition, aerial images of bird decoys are captured to achieve various bird patterns and more accurate bird information. Bird detection models such as Faster Region-based Convolutional Neural Network (R-CNN), Region-based Fully Convolutional Network (R-FCN), Single Shot MultiBox Detector (SSD), Retinanet, and You Only Look Once (YOLO) were created and the performance of all models was estimated by comparing their computing speed and average precision. The test results show Faster R-CNN to be the most accurate and YOLO to be the fastest among the models. The combined results demonstrate that the use of deep-learning-based detection methods in combination with UAV aerial imagery is fairly suitable for bird detection in various environments.

scholarly journals Mapping Reflectance Anisotropy of a Potato Canopy Using Aerial Images Acquired with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Roosjen ◽  
Juha Suomalainen ◽  
Harm Bartholomeus ◽  
Lammert Kooistra ◽  
Jan Clevers
Keyword(s):  
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Aerial Images ◽  
Reflectance Anisotropy ◽  
Aerial Vehicle

scholarly journals Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Remote Sensing and a Monitoring Information System to Enhance the Management of Unauthorized Structures

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (22) ◽  
pp. 4954
Author(s):  
Yuanrong He ◽  
Weiwei Ma ◽  
Zelong Ma ◽  
Wenjie Fu ◽  
Chihcheng Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Aerial Images ◽  
Surface Model ◽  
Ground Survey ◽  
Elevation Changes ◽  
Aerial Vehicle ◽  
New Construction ◽  
Gis Software ◽  
Interaction Interpretation

In this research, we investigated using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photographic technology to prevent the further expansion of unauthorized construction and thereby reduce postdisaster losses. First, UAV dynamic aerial photography was used to obtain dynamic digital surface model (DSM) data and elevation changes of 2–8 m as the initial sieve target. Then, two periods of dynamic orthophoto images were superimposed for human–computer interaction interpretation, so we could quickly distinguish buildings undergoing expansion, new construction, or demolition. At the same time, mobile geographic information system (GIS) software was used to survey the field, and the information gathered was developed to support unauthorized construction detection. Finally, aerial images, interpretation results, and ground survey information were integrated and released on WebGIS to build a regulatory platform that can achieve accurate management and effectively prevent violations.

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