Unmanned Aerial System–Based Portable Sensing for Blast-Loaded Cables
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 150, Issue 3
Abstract
Measuring the dynamics of vibrating cables in situ can be challenging using traditional contact-based sensors (e.g., accelerometer). This work proposes a novel computer vision–based technique using a portable unmanned aerial system (UAS) (also referred to as drones) sensing platform to enable the measurement of the dynamic displacements of a cable in a unique blast-loading experiment where other types of sensing may be impractical. The proposed technique utilizes one optical camera equipped on a UAS to record the dynamic displacement of the blast-loaded cable and measure the drift of the UAS as it hovers. Artificial targets attached to the cable are not required because the technique proves effective when tracking natural features inherent in the cable. This makes the proposed technique versatile and convenient for field implementation. This technique also allows simultaneous displacement measurement at multiple points along the cable across the entire field of view of the camera. The natural frequency, damping, and mode shape are successfully identified from the measured cable displacement time histories.
Practical Applications
Measuring the vibration of a cable is challenging with traditional techniques. A novel technique is proposed to use only one camera attached to a drone to measure the vibration of a cable directly. However, because the drone hovers in the air, there is inherent drift of the drone. The drone’s drift is measured with respect to a stationary target using the camera and compensated for to measure the true motion of the cable. To test the proposed technique, a blast was detonated close to the cable to produce vibration in the cable, and the drone hovered above the cable to record its movements. Because the actual movement of the cable is unknown, finite-element simulations were performed to provide a basis for validating the proposed technique. The natural frequency of the finite-element model is compared with that obtained from the measured vibration of the cable. A good agreement was achieved with a 2.1% difference between the simulated and measured natural frequencies.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or codes that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
The work presented in this paper was conducted with support from Colorado State University (CSU) and the Mountain-Plains Consortium, a University Transportation Center funded by the US Department of Transportation (FASTACT Grant No. 69A3551747108). The contents of this paper reflect the views of the authors, who are responsible for the facts and accuracy of the information presented. The efforts of Karl Swenson and Chris Giglio of the Environmental Health Services at Colorado State University in conducting all explosive tests associated with this work are gratefully acknowledged. In addition, the assistance from Christopher Robertson and the CSU Drone Center is appreciated.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 150 • Issue 3 • March 2024
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 21, 2023
Accepted: Oct 31, 2023
Published online: Dec 30, 2023
Published in print: Mar 1, 2024
Discussion open until: May 30, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Blasting effects
- Cables
- Cameras
- Continuum mechanics
- Displacement (mechanics)
- Dynamics (solid mechanics)
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering mechanics
- Equipment and machinery
- Field tests
- Measurement (by type)
- Motion (dynamics)
- Probe instruments
- Sensors and sensing
- Solid mechanics
- Structural dynamics
- Structural mechanics
- Tests (by type)
- Vibration
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