Abstract
This paper presents the results of a case study conducted to evaluate the potential benefit of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly referred to as drones, as a tool to improve the bridge inspection workflow. The study conducted two experiments to determine how well deficiencies could be detected using a UAS. Both experiments were conducted using the same test bridge. The first experiment was carried out by the bridge inspection engineers (BIEs), who had previously inspected the bridge using traditional methods. They used the drone to search for inspection points identified in the inspection report. The second experiment was conducted by BIEs, who were unfamiliar with the bridge and had not read the inspection report. They inspected the bridge and identified deficiencies that they could detect using only the drone. In both experiments, over 90% of the inspection points could be sufficiently observed to evaluate their condition. It was estimated that this technology would save approximately 27% ($1,440) on a routine inspection of the test bridge.
Recommended Citation
Burgett, Joseph M. and Comert, Gurcan
(2021)
"Case Study of Using Unmanned Aircraft Systems to Support Bridge Inspections,"
The Professional Constructor: Vol. 46:
No.
2, Article 6.
Available at:
https://open.clemson.edu/aic-journal/vol46/iss2/6
