Fatigue Crack Detection Using Unmanned Aerial Systems in Fracture Critical Inspection of Steel Bridges
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 23, Issue 10
Abstract
Many state agencies are investigating the use of unmanned aerial systems (UASs) for bridge inspections. Some agencies are receiving pressure from consultants and their own administrations to implement UAS inspections with limited knowledge of their efficacy. This paper studies the feasibility of using UASs for fatigue crack detection in bridges with fracture critical members (FCMs) through real-time and postflight visual inspection. The effects of surface illumination on the maximum crack-to-camera (MCC) distance at which a fatigue crack can be detected were investigated in the laboratory. Mock field inspections evaluated the achievable crack-to-platform (ACP) distance in Global Positioning System (GPS)-denied and windy environments to determine whether known cracks can be identified at achievable standoff distances. Finally, two FCM inspections demonstrated the field performance of UASs in identifying fatigue cracks. Results highlight the importance of camera specifications and surface illumination in determining the required standoff distance of crack detection. Furthermore, the results demonstrate the difficulties in obtaining clear images with unstable UASs in GPS-denied or windy environments. Nevertheless, the best performing platform tested in this study exhibited a performance comparable to an average of 30 human inspectors at a fatigue crack identification training structure. The limited results presented here proved the feasibility of using UASs for fatigue crack detection in FCM inspections of steel bridges and highlighted the shortcomings of UASs for this type of hands-on inspection.
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Acknowledgments
The authors extend their gratitude to Matt Farrar, Alan Buerig, and Don Gorely at ITD for providing the fatigue crack specimen and allowing inspection of the Fall River Bridge; Dr. George Hearn for his valuable review comments; Dr. Robert Conner, Jason Lloyd, Austin Glenn Decker, and Leslie Campbell at Purdue University for facilitating the S-BRITE Center inspection, and for Leslie’s review comments; Dr. Cal Coopmans, Nathan Hoffer, Daniel Robinson, and the other members of AggieAir at USU for their assistance during UAS flights; and Hunter Buxton for serving as the pilot during all inspections. This publication was supported by a subcontract from Rutgers University, Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT) National University Transportation Center (UTC), and from the US DOT. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rutgers University or those of the US DOT–Federal Highway Administration.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 23 • Issue 10 • October 2018
Copyright
© 2018 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 21, 2017
Accepted: Apr 24, 2018
Published online: Aug 2, 2018
Published in print: Oct 1, 2018
Discussion open until: Jan 2, 2019
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