Structural Engineering Commons^™

Robotic Inspection Of Infrastructure Using Vision, Gpr, And Impact-Echo Sensors, Jizhong Xiao

INSPIRE Archived Webinars

Bridges, dams, highways, and tunnels in the U.S. are reaching their life expectancy, and thus have imperative needs for routine inspection and maintenance to ensure sustainability. It is reported that 42% of over 600,000 highway bridges in the National Bridge Inventory (NBI) have exceeded their design life of 50 years, and 42,951 bridges are rated in poor condition and classified as "structurally deficient". To inspect the structurally integrity of bridges, the inspectors also need to detect subsurface defects (i.e., delamination, voids) using NDE instruments such as GPR and impact-echo (IE) device at difficult to access components (i.e., pier, bottom side …

Probability Of Detection In Structural Health Monitoring, Genda Chen

INSPIRE Archived Webinars

The fundamental concept of the probability of detection in structural health monitoring is introduced. The traditional Probability of Detection (POD) method as described in the Department of Defense Handbook MIL-HDBK-1823A for nondestructive evaluation systems does not take the time dependency of data collection into account. When applied to in-situ sensors for the measurement of flaw sizes, such as fatigue-induced crack length and corrosion-induced mass loss, the validity and reliability of the traditional method is unknown. In this 50-minute lecture, the POD for in-situ sensors and their associated reliability assessment for detectable flaw sizes are evaluated using a Flaw-Size-at-Detection (FSaD) method …

Reliability Of Bridge Inspection Technologies, Glenn A. Washer

INSPIRE Archived Webinars

This presentation will discuss the reliability of inspection technologies used for the condition assessment of highway bridges. Data from condition assessments are critical to asset management and decision-making. The methodologies used to assess condition are usually subjective methods, such as visual inspections, that can vary as a result of human factors and differences in training and interpretation of inspection procedures. Nondestructive evaluation technologies (NDE) are implemented on a more limited basis and rely on indirect measurements to infer the presence of damage, and these assessments are affected by environmental factors, materials variability, and limitations in the interpretation of the resulting …

Toward Dexterous Aerial Manipulation Using Embodied Human-Intelligence For Bridge Inspection And Maintenance, Dongbin Kim

INSPIRE Archived Webinars

Current drones perform a wide variety of tasks in surveillance, photography, agriculture, package delivery, etc. However, these tasks are performed passively without the use of human interaction. Aerial manipulation shifts this paradigm and implements drones with robotic arms that allow interaction with the environment rather than simply sensing it. Many research groups have demonstrated aerial manipulation for various applications for over a decade. For example, in construction, aerial manipulation in conjunction with human interaction could allow operators to perform several tasks, such as hosing decks, drill into surfaces, and sealing cracks via a drone. This integration with drones will henceforth …

Hyperspectral Imaging And Data Analytics For Civil Infrastructure Inspection, Genda Chen

INSPIRE Archived Webinars

In this 50-minute lecture, the fundamental concept of hyperspectral imaging is reviewed. Each hyperspectral image represents a narrow, contiguous wavelength range of an electromagnetic spectrum, which could be indicative of a chemical substance. All the images in the spectral range of a hyperspectral camera are combined to form a three-dimensional hyperspectral data cube with two spatial dimensions and one spectral dimension. A hyperspectral cube can be sampled in four ways: spatial scanning, spectral scanning, snapshot imaging, and spatio-spectral scanning. This presentation will be focused on spatial scanning from a line-scan camera. The feasibility of horizontal imaging from a synchronized hyperspectral …

Image-Based Bridge Defect Detection And Monitoring Technologies, Jian Zhang

INSPIRE Archived Webinars

Computer-vision is an emerging technology which has been widely used in the field of structural health monitoring. This seminar will cover the latest achievements of our research group in defect detection, health monitoring, and construction control using image-based technologies. For defect detection, advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been developed to automatically detect surface cracks and other types of structural damages based on digital image processing techniques. An integrated navigation system combining binocular camera and inertial sensor enables automated route planning for the developed UAVs in case of GPS failure. Specifically, a wall-climbing UAV is designed to acquire detailed surface …

Fiber Optic Sensor Based Corrosion Assessment In Reinforced Concrete Members, Genda Chen

INSPIRE Archived Webinars

In this 50-minute lecture, the fundamental concepts of fiber optic sensors for both distributed and point corrosion measurements are reviewed. For the distributed monitoring of a line bridge component such as steel reinforced girders, Brillouin scattering and fiber Bragg gratings (FBG) can be coupled to measure both temperature and radial strain as an indirect indicator of corrosion process. For the point monitoring of steel structures, long period fiber gratings (LPFG) are specially designed for a direct measurement of mass loss or the loss in cross sectional area of the component. In particular, a Fe-C coated LPFG sensor is introduced for …

Human-Robot Collaboration For Effective Bridge Inspection In The Artificial Intelligence Era, Ruwen Qin

INSPIRE Archived Webinars

Advancements in sensor, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and robotic technologies have formed a foundation to enable a transformation from traditional engineering systems to complex adaptive systems. This paradigm shift will bring exciting changes to civil infrastructure systems and their builders, operators and managers. Funded by the INSPIRE University Transportation Center (UTC), Dr. Qin’s group investigated the holism of an AI-robot-inspector system for bridge inspection. Dr. Qin will discuss the need for close collaboration among the constituent components of the AI-robot-inspector system. In the workplace of bridge inspection using drones, the mobile robotic inspection platform rapidly collected big inspection video data that …

Uav-Enabled Measurement For Spatial Magnetic Field Of Smart Rocks In Bridge Scour Monitoring, Genda Chen

INSPIRE Archived Webinars

This lecture will present an overview of the research, development, validation, and implementation of 'smart' rocks as in-situ agents to assist in remote monitoring of bridge scour in real time. It will start with a brief review of fundamental concepts such as magnet, polarization, magnetic field, and field measurement principle. It will then introduce the concept of ‘smart’ rocks, demonstrate it through small-scale laboratory tests, and design and fabricate gravity-controlled ‘smart’ rocks for field implementation based on river hydrodynamics and riverbed conditions. Next, a ‘smart’ rock localization optimization algorithm will be formulated analytically and validated experimentally in open fields. It …

Mobile Manipulating Drones, Paul Oh

INSPIRE Archived Webinars

In the past few years, robotic limbs have been attached to rotorcraft drones to perform aerial manipulation. Unlike simple object pick-and-place, such mobile-manipulating drones are dexterous to perform tasks like valve-turning, hatch-opening, and tool-handling. This is a paradigm shift where such drones actively interact with their environment rather than just passively surveil. Aerial manipulation is challenging because such interaction yields reaction forces and torques that destabilize the drone. This talk will provide an overview of aerial manipulation and showcase examples that could serve in infrastructure inspection, maintenance, and repair.

Non-Contact Air-Coupled Sensing For Rapid Evaluation Of Bridge Decks, Jinying Zhu

INSPIRE Archived Webinars

Elastic wave-based non-destructive testing (NDT) methods are commonly used for evaluation of civil engineering infrastructure, including bridges, dams and buildings. However, most of these methods require coupling (direct contact) between sensors and the test surface, which significantly restricts the testing speed and consistency, especially for large scale concrete structures in civil engineering. The air-coupled sensing technology was developed by Dr. Jinying Zhu as a solution for rapid scanning of concrete infrastructure. In this webinar, Dr. Zhu will review the development of air-coupled sensing technique for civil engineering applications, including fundamental theory and field application of air-coupled sensing on concrete structures. …

Simulation Training And Route Optimization For Bridge Inspection, Sushil Louis

INSPIRE Archived Webinars

Since the 1970s, simulation training has developed opera­tional trainers for a variety of complex systems from pilot flight simulations to cultural awareness training simulations. When connected to the real world, such simulation training interfaces can drive real vehicles and systems. We have been building a Simulation Training And Control System (STACS) for autonomous bridge inspection that uses a simulated world to train inspectors to control a heterogeneous group of robots. The objective is that, once trained, inspectors can use the same STACS interface used in training to control multiple real robots simultaneously during a bridge inspection task. We first built …

Data To Risk-Informed Decisions Through Bridge Model Updating, Iris Tien

INSPIRE Archived Webinars

Across the country, bridge structures are aging with use commonly extending beyond their original design lives. Decisions to repair, retrofit or rehabilitate these structures will support continued reliability and resilience of these structures. To better understand the states of the bridges at any point in time, there are new technologies to inspect, monitor and assess bridge conditions.

To effectively use the results of these inspections and monitoring activities, we need an understanding of the relation between varying inspection parameters and the predicted performance of bridge structures.

In this seminar, we will describe methods to use inspection data to update assessment …

Performance Based Design For Bridge Piers Impacted By Heavy Trucks, Anil K. Agrawal

INSPIRE Archived Webinars

Based on bridge failure data compiled by New York State Department of Transportation, collision, both caused by vessel and vehicles, is the second leading cause of bridge failures after hydraulic. Current AASHTO-LRFD (2012) recommends designing a bridge pier vulnerable to vehicular impacts for an equivalent static force of 600 kips (2,670 kN) applied in a horizontal plane at a distance of 5.0 feet above the ground level. This research presents a performance-based approach for designing a bridge pier subject to impacts by tractor-semi-trailer weighing up to 80,000 lb based on an extensive investigation using finite element model of a tractor-semitrailer …

Battery-Free Wireless Strain Measurement Using An Antenna Sensor, Yang Wang

INSPIRE Archived Webinars

A battery-free antenna sensor can wirelessly measure strain on a structure. Bonded to the surface of a base structure, the antenna sensor deforms when the structure is under strain, causing the antenna’s electromagnetic resonance frequency to change. This resonance frequency change can be wirelessly interrogated and recorded by a reader through electromagnetic backscattering. A radio frequency identification (RFID) chip on the sensor harnesses a small amount of energy from the interrogation signal and responds to the reader. The resonance frequency change identified by the reader is then used to determine the strain applied on the structure. The latest antenna sensor …

Toward Autonomous Wall-Climbing Robots For Inspection Of Concrete Bridges And Tunnels, Jizhong Xiao

INSPIRE Archived Webinars

In addition to visual inspection for surface flaws, inspectors are often required to detect subsurface defects (e.g., delamination and voids) using nondestructive evaluation (NDE) instruments, such as ground penetration radar (GPR) and impact sounding device, in order to determine the structural integrity of bridges and tunnels. In these cases, access to critical locations for reliable and safe inspections is a challenge.

Since 2002, Dr. Jizhong Xiao’s group has developed four generations of wall-climbing robots for NDE inspection of bridges and tunnels. These robots combine the advantages of aerodynamic attraction and suction to achieve a desirable balance of strong adhesion and …

Climbing Robots For Steel Bridge Inspection And Evaluation, Hung La

INSPIRE Archived Webinars

Steel structures and steel bridges, constituting a major part in civil infrastructure, require adequate maintenance and health monitoring. In the U.S., more than 50,000 steel bridges are either deficient or functionally obsolete, which likely presents a growing threat to people's safety. The collapse of numerous bridges recorded over the past 16 years has shown significant impact on the safety of all travelers.

In this presentation, the design and implementation of two different climbing robots for steel structure inspection are reported. Based on the magnetic wheel design, the robot can climb on different steel surface structures (i.e., flat, cylinder, cube). The …

Microwave Materials Characterization And Imaging For Structural Health Monitoring, Reza Zoughi

INSPIRE Archived Webinars

The relatively small wavelengths and large bandwidths associated with microwave signals make them great candidates for inspection of construction materials and structures, and for materials characterization and imaging. Signals at these frequencies readily penetrate inside of dielectric materials and composites and interact with their materials characteristics and inner structures. Water molecule is dipolar and possesses a relatively large complex dielectric constant, which is also highly sensitive to the presence of ions that increase its electrical conductivity. Consequently, chemical and physical changes in construction materials affect their complex dielectric constant. This can be measured, and through analytical and empirical dielectric mixing …

Drone-Enabled Remote Sensing For Transportation Infrastructure Assessment, Colin Brooks

INSPIRE Archived Webinars

Unmanned aerial systems (UAS or “drones”) are a rapidly developing technology that can help meet the needs of transportation agencies for reliable, repeatable data that can save money and increase safety for the data collection process. By taking advantage of flexible platforms that can deploy a variety of sensors, transportation agencies and their information suppliers can help meet these data needs for operations, asset management, and other areas. Location-specific data on infrastructure condition and distresses can help with improved management of assets.

In this presentation, recent applied research led by a Michigan Technological University team is reviewed, with a focus …

Lab-On-Sensor For Structural Behavior Monitoring: Theory And Applications, Genda Chen

INSPIRE Archived Webinars

There are over 600,000 bridges in the U.S. National Bridge Inventory (NBI). Nearly 50% of them rapidly approach their design life and deteriorate at an alarming rate, particularly under an increasing volume of overweight trucks. Visual inspection as the current practice in bridge management is labor intensive and subjective, resulting in inconsistent and less reliable element ratings. Lab-on-sensor technologies can provide supplemental mission-critical data to the visual inspection for both qualitative and quantitative evaluations of structural conditions, and thus critical decision-making of cost-effective strategies in bridge preservation.

In this presentation, the design and operation characteristics of highway bridges are first …