Improved UAV-Based Structural Inspection Techniques and Technologies for Northeast Bridges (1.12)

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or “drones” are revolutionizing some basic reconnaissance, including structural inspections. This project seeks to enhance and expand the range of applications for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to aid inspection of transportation structures. This project is primarily aimed at UAV modifications to allow new ways for the vehicles to get additional information, for example allowing the UAV to come in contact with the structure to allow for more high-fidelity measurements, or developing sensor array packages that can be varied based on the structure and the information desired. Proposed tasks include work with commercially available UAVs and development of new prototypes that can be used in specialized applications. Subsequent tasks will examine ways to optimize both the data collection and data interpretation, using artificial intelligence (AI)-based data fusion approaches. Finally, both laboratory and field testing and validation are proposed. The work will be conducted in collaboration with both the Maine Department of Transportation and an engineering consultant VHB.

• Record URL:
  https://tidc.umaine.edu/tidc_project/1-12-umaine/

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $566743
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3551847101

• Sponsor Organizations:

  University of Maine, Orono

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
  5717 Corbett Hall
  Orono, ME  United States  04469-5711

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center

  University of Maine
  Orono, ME  United States  04469
• Managing Organizations:

  Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center

  University of Maine
  Orono, ME  United States  04469

  University of Maine, Orono

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
  5717 Corbett Hall
  Orono, ME  United States  04469-5711
• Project Managers:

  Dunn, Denise

• Performing Organizations:

  Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center

  University of Maine
  Orono, ME  United States  04469

  University of Maine, Orono

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
  5717 Corbett Hall
  Orono, ME  United States  04469-5711
• Principal Investigators:

  Landis, Eric

  Friess, Wilhelm "Alex"

  Shirazi, Ali

• Start Date: 20201001
• Expected Completion Date: 20230930
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridges; Data collection; Drones; Inspection; Prototypes; Sensors; Structural health monitoring; Validation
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01759899
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center
• Contract Numbers: 69A3551847101
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Dec 10 2020 4:05PM