COMPLEX BRIDGE INSPECTION WITH UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES

摘要

ARE annually inspects approximately 20,000 bridge spans nationwide for its rail clients and realizes a need to more effectively inspect large, complex bridges. In January 2018, ARE acquired a highly experienced small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) company pioneering their use across industries using specialized equipment with high-definition, top and bottom-mounted sensors. ARE's deployment of multi-disciplined teams supplemented with sUAS has fundamentally changed the way large scale, complex bridge inspections are completed, resulting in safer and more efficient inspections. ARE annually inspects the Ohio River Bridge spanning from OH to WV. This bridge consists of 20 decl plate girder approach spans, leading into 5 through truss spans over the river, and an additional 37 dec plate girder approach spans and a final, single through plate girder. Historically, this bridge has been inspected over several days with the use of a boom "snooper" truck for access under the approach spa and the truss spans. However, access is limited for a "snooper" under through trusses due to their structural nature. The use of sUAS allowed inspectors to access the underside of the through trusses using a top-mounted high definition camera and taking photos and videos of difficult to reach critical flo< system connection points. This paper discusses the planning, deployment, and on-site setup required to perform a successful inspection using sUAS, along with current limitations and potential future technology advancements.