Unmanned Aerial and Traversing Vehicle

Unmanned Aerial and Traversing Vehicle
Author: Clayton Andrew Fritsche
Publisher:
Total Pages: 89
Release: 2019
Genre:
ISBN:

"Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones, have been rapidly growing in popularity since their creation. This study aimed to create a robotic platform used to assist in the inspection process of the nation0́9s aging and deteriorating bridges. To this end, a multimodal inspection robot that utilized both flying and driving technologies, was designed, analyzed, and tested for aerial, traversing, and their transitional operability. The design, herein referred to as the 'BridgeBot', was evaluated both computationally and experimentally. A finite element model of the BridgeBot was established and analyzed under static loading scenarios to help determine stress distributions and locate areas of concern. The prototype BridgeBot was then tested in the laboratory to evaluate the drone structure and ability to perform to its design intent. During a bridge inspection, the BridgeBot would deploy as a multirotor UAV and fly to the underside of a bridge girder. It would then utilize its specifically designed clamping system with custom rollers to engage and traverse along the girder flange. This transition from flying to traversing mode may not only significantly save battery, making it feasible for the BridgeBot to operate for longer periods of time, but also provide a stable platform for various cameras and nondestructive evaluation devices to acquire quality data. Although the design focused on steel girder bridges, it may later be adjusted for concrete girder bridges. Initial test results indicated the feasibility of the BridgeBot to transition from flying to traversing mode. However, upon landing, some of the electrical wires secured to the bottom of the flexible rotor arms were detached due to significant arm deformations causing the propellers to dislodge the wire connection under impact loading"--Abstract, page iii.

Overcoming the Challenges of Using Unmanned Aircraft for Bridge Inspections

Overcoming the Challenges of Using Unmanned Aircraft for Bridge Inspections
Author: Ignacio Hernandez
Publisher:
Total Pages: 96
Release: 2016
Genre: Bridges
ISBN:

Applications for small unmanned aerial vehicles have exploded over the past decade. Small size, maneuverability, low cost, and versatility enable utilization for applications not readily accessible by traditional manned aircraft, such as bridge inspections. However, the challenges associated with conducting inspections in a safe, cost efficient manner currently exceed the benefits of using an unmanned aircraft for inspection. The development of a multirotor-based inspection aircraft capable of maintaining flight for over eight hours is presented. Flight results from a bridge inspection conducted in collaboration with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) and Shafer, Kline, & Warren (SKW) bridge inspection crews are also discussed. Feedback and recommendations for inspection platform improvement from MoDOT and SKW inspectors was collected. Inspectors and flight crew identified challenges with camera exposure, dual pilotinspector remote control, and aircraft stability. As a result, a new inspection platform was developed allowing for wireless dual remote control and manual control of camera exposure. Finally, and most importantly, a new metric for quantifying UAS handling and pilot workload in GPS denied environments is introduced through rigorous flight testing and the use of a modified Cooper-Harper rating scale. Inspection of the bridge substructure prevented GPS lock and increased pilot workload. To mimic the effects of flying around a bridge flight testing is conducted at the UMKC parking garage where GPS lock is denied. The aircraft and inspection solutions discussed herein have demonstrated success for acquiring meaningful inspection data while conducting safe flight operations.

Security-Related Advanced Technologies in Critical Infrastructure Protection

Security-Related Advanced Technologies in Critical Infrastructure Protection
Author: Tünde Anna Kovács
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 469
Release: 2022-09-05
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9402421742

This book collects the latest research results on security-related advanced technologies. The chapters contain relevant and interesting topics from numerous research. Data science and artificial intelligence research nowadays one of the most important topics for the industry and the security sectors. The autonomy and counter-autonomy research topic are also very interesting. Autonomous cars have become a part of the common days, but their safe and secure application is not assured. The research results in this field want to support and assure safe and secure autonomous applications in our quotidian life. Also, the safe and secure robotics in the industries and the defence assure a high standard of living and the given research results in this area can use to increase it. The researchers work on it and publish the results that can be interesting for the other researchers and the innovators, but also the industrial part members. The researchers work on it and publish the results that can be interesting for the other researchers and the innovators, but also the industrial part members. Communication is a part of our life, but the communication systems mesh all around the world. Communication is the basis of modern life because without it life stop. One other interesting and very important research area is the material sciences. Virtual life cannot exist without hardware and materials. The new technical applications require new materials, that can suffice the mechanical and physical, chemical properties demand. Nowadays a common requirement of the materials the high strength and lightweight. Researchers want to serve the industrial requests and innovate new composite materials or increase the properties of the material through a new technological process. The authors publish the latest results of the security-related research area including the newest innovations and technologies which rise the interest of the defence and the modern industries even the interest of other researchers.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Augmented Bridge Inspection Feasibility Study

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Augmented Bridge Inspection Feasibility Study
Author: Sattar Dorafshan
Publisher:
Total Pages: 178
Release: 2017
Genre: Bridges
ISBN:

The applications of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for bridge inspection, with emphasis on under-bridge inspection and fatigue crack detection, were studied in this report. The potential benefits and challenges of using UAS for bridge inspection were identified through an extensive literature survey. The feasibility of using UAS for fatigue crack detection was studied by determining the minimum lighting, camera distance and environmental requirements for three UAS. The DJI Mavic UAS performed better than the others in both indoor and outdoor GPS-denied inspections. An in-service bridge in Ashton, Idaho was inspected using this UAS to find fatigue cracks. No fatigue crack, known or new, was detected in the UAS images but marker lines around the known fatigue cracks (drawn by the inspectors in previous inspections), concrete defects, and steel rust were detected. Thermography showed promising results for fatigue crack detection in a lab setting, but it was not feasible for UAS applications since it had to be performed using active thermography techniques to obtain adequate results. Additionally, image processing algorithms for autonomous detection of both concrete and fatigue cracks were successfully developed. These algorithms, especially for fatigue crack detection, require more images to perform better, but were demonstrated as feasible to aid in a real-time inspection. Inspections in semi-controlled conditions at the S-BRITE center showed that UAS assisted inspections can provide inspections similar, at-best, to human inspections.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Author: Carlos Tavares Calafate
Publisher: MDPI
Total Pages: 174
Release: 2020-12-29
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 3039367080

The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) plays an important role in supporting human activities. Man is concentrating more and more on intellectual work, and trying to automate practical activities as much as possible in order to increase their efficiency. In this regard, the use of drones is increasingly becoming a key aspect of this automation process, offering many advantages, including agility, efficiency and reduced risk, especially in dangerous missions. Hence, this Special Issue focuses on applications, platforms and services where UAVs can be used as facilitators for the task at hand, also keeping in mind that security should be addressed from its different perspectives, ranking from communications security to operational security, and furthermore considering privacy issues.

Modern Technologies Enabling Safe and Secure UAV Operation in Urban Airspace

Modern Technologies Enabling Safe and Secure UAV Operation in Urban Airspace
Author: P. Śniatała
Publisher: IOS Press
Total Pages: 158
Release: 2021-07
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1643681893

The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or ‘drones’ continues to increase, and keeping up to date with technological, legal and commercial developments related to this domain is important, particularly with regard to safety and security in regional and border security operations. This book presents edited contributions from the NATO Advanced Training Course (ATC) entitled “Modern technologies enabling safe and secure UAV operation in urban airspace”, held in Agadir, Morocco, from 25 to 30 November 2019. Participants included experienced scientists and industry engineers involved in UAV development and activity, and the aim of the ATC was to increase awareness among all NATO and partner countries of the safety and security challenges raised by UAV flights in urban airspace, as well as sharing the knowledge and expertise of specialists working to advance the technologies and capabilities that will enhance safety and security across NATO and its partner countries. The ATC began with a presentation about current UAV technologies, and the technological features that might present a threat to the safety of commercial or military airspace applications. Other topics covered included the U-space concept; management of UAV operations in controlled airspace; integration of manned and unmanned aviation; testing and certification of UAVs; autonomous UAV flights; application of UAVs in urban airspace; and BVLOS flights and sensors for UAV navigation and communication. The book will be of interest to all those working with UAVs or seeking to develop and encourage their use, particularly for security purposes.

Sensor Technologies for Civil Infrastructures

Sensor Technologies for Civil Infrastructures
Author: Jerome P. Lynch
Publisher: Woodhead Publishing
Total Pages: 726
Release: 2022-07-19
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0081027079

Sensor Technologies for Civil Infrastructure, Volume 2: Applications in Structural Health Monitoring, Second Edition, provides an overview of sensor applications and a new section on future and emerging technologies. Part one is made up of case studies in assessing and monitoring specific structures such as bridges, towers, buildings, dams, tunnels, pipelines, and roads. The new edition also includes sensing solutions for assessing and monitoring of naval systems. Part two reviews emerging technologies for sensing and data analysis including diagnostic solutions for assessing and monitoring sensors, unmanned aerial systems, and UAV application in post-hazard event reconnaissance and site assessment. Includes case studies in assessing structures such as bridges, buildings, super-tall towers, dams, tunnels, wind turbines, railroad tracks, nuclear power plants, offshore structures, naval systems, levees, and pipelines Reviews future and emerging technologies and techniques including unmanned aerial systems, LIDAR, and ultrasonic and infrared sensing Describes latest emerging techniques in data analysis such as diagnostic solutions for assessing and monitoring sensors and big data analysis

Unmanned Aerial Remote Sensing

Unmanned Aerial Remote Sensing
Author: David R. Green
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 256
Release: 2020-07-10
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1482246082

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are a rapidly evolving technology with an expanding array of diverse applications. In response to the continuing evolution of this technology, this book discusses unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and similar systems, platforms and sensors, as well as exploring some of their environmental applications. It explains how they can be used for mapping, monitoring, and modeling a wide variety of different environmental aspects, and at the same time addresses some of the current constraints placed on realizing the potential use of the technology such as s flight duration and distance, safety, and the invasion of privacy etc. Features of the book: Provides necessary theoretical foundations for pertinent subject matter areas Introduces the role and value of UAVs for geographical data acquisition, and the ways to acquire and process the data Provides a synthesis of ongoing research and a focus on the use of technology for small-scale image and spatial data acquisition in an environmental context Written by experts of the technology who bring together UAS tools and resources for the environmental specialist Unmanned Aerial Remote Sensing: UAS for Environmental Applications is an excellent resource for any practitioner utilizing remote sensing and other geospatial technologies for environmental applications, such as conservation, research, and planning. Students and academics in information science, environment and natural resources, geosciences, and geography, will likewise find this comprehensive book a useful and informative resource.