Technology is attaining progressive predominance in the construction and security sectors when it comes to mega infrastructures and military activities. Drones are one such innovation that has been in the picture for quite some time now. From San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge retrofit initiative to Australian military projects and Gold Coast beach activities, the employment of drones in security enhancement practices is widespread. Bridge Inspection Drones are the newest addition to this portfolio, as Australia is keen on the health of its bridges. However, why utilise drones especially for bridge inspection?
In this article, we walk you through the benefits of bridge inspection drones in modern times.
We will explore
The Process of Drone Bridge Inspection
- Drone bridge inspection is undoubtedly deceptively straightforward. From the drones to the end point, it is actually one chain of innovative work. Starting from pre-planning and drone preparation, this spreads across data collection and post-flight data processing. At the end point, it connects with data interpretation, report generation, and data archiving.
- When it comes to the planning mechanism, all aspects of data, including the size, age, and reported issues of the bridge, need to be taken into consideration in order to define the inspection objectives. Based on these insights, the operators can decide whether they need to employ a drone type that comes with high-resolution cameras, thermal sensors and other necessary equipment.
- During the pre-flight preparation period, there is a checklist to guarantee that all drone systems are operational. This is where the battery levels, camera settings are all ticked, and the inspectors tend to assess weather conditions before processing.
- When it comes to the inspection time, there are pre-programmed flight paths, and the drones must follow those specific paths only. The operators and inspectors plan these paths to be able to capture high-resolution images and scenes from different angles. Since the drones carry thermal sensors, they can record temperature irregularities and structural issues. Its in-built high-resolution cameras have the potential to identify cracks and any defects on the surface level.
- Then comes the data analysis phase. The operators utilise certain software programmes to scrutinise the data they receive through images and videos. The drones are analysed using AI to identify potential malformations of cracks, collapses, wear and signs of ageing.
- Here we enter the final phase of the bridge inspection drone’s mechanism. The operators can now prepare a detailed report about their findings, containing pictures and useful recommendations to implement.
Benefits of Using Bridge Inspection Drones
Enhanced Safety
Using drones for bridge inspection initiatives is one of the best strategies to ensure workers’ safety, as the drone covers almost every inch of the bridge; there is no need for workers to climb high structures anymore. Bridge inspection drones have a great capacity to cover elements such as joints, beams and even cables with their high-resolution cameras. This way, it is nonessential to the framework to take a risk of falling, injuries and other accidents when it comes to bridge inspections.
Cost Efficiency
When initiating bridge inspection within a traditional framework, there is a need for heavy equipment and machinery like cranes and bucket trucks, which do not come cheaply in the market. However, bridge inspection drones take away this requirement and the cost related to it with their digital capabilities. Instead of spending a lot of money on lane closures, a large workforce and scaffolding, etc., the authorities can be restricted to the utilisation of a pilot and a camera operator.
Faster Inspection Times
No human workforce can cover a large area of a bridge within a few minutes. This is where the bridge inspection drones stand out. As they can fly over the whole infrastructure within seconds to minutes, the entire process has become much faster. When relying on typical inspection processes, the workers need to climb unsafe heights, set up scaffolding and bring the heavy equipment to different places, and this will take days and even in some cases weeks. With drones, now every detail streams down to the end point within seconds, and the inspectors can save time significantly.
High-Resolution Imaging
In the process of bridge inspections, there can be some hidden issues such as water leaks, weak spots, tiny cracks and all. Since modern drones carry built-in high-resolution cameras with a great quality from 4K to 8K, the ground staff can receive the latest data through lifelike photographs and videos. Since the drones are connected to IoT networks, the images can be analysed to find small cracks, potential spots for corrosion and even loose bolts that cannot be spotted with the naked eye. Some drones have thermal sensor capacities to record the heating irregularities as well.
Real-Time Data Collection
In the maintenance of mega structures like bridges, it is important to receive real-time information in the event of anomalous occurrences. This is when the bridge inspection drones come into play as a valuable tool. While they are capturing videos and images of the bridges, they can stream them down to the ground staff who are at the other corners within a few seconds. This means no waiting time is required to plan maintenance and repair. The engineers and inspectors receive the latest data, and they can plan the rest immediately.
Repeatable and Consistent Results
One of the versatile characteristics of drones is that it is exploitable to program the same flight path every time the inspection occurs. It is important for the inspectors and engineers because they can compare and analogise the images and videos they received before from the same angle with the current visuals. If any sort of cracks, rust, or structural movement occurs, they will be acquainted with them. Another benefit is that receiving a consistent data flow of the same structural component will aid in understanding the ageing patterns of the bridge. This is useful for the engineers and asset managers to formulate future maintenance with much reliability.
Environmentally Friendly
When relying on traditional bridge inspection strategies, they use heavy trucks and cranes. Not only that, but they also employ some diesel-powered lifts, and these elements negatively impact the environment as they release emissions and solely rely on fuel. Bridge inspection, on the other hand, only requires less energy and a few of resources to function in full form. It is revolutionising the inspection landscape using rechargeable batteries and, in return, producing lower noise levels and pollution. It is truly outstanding that this next-level innovation helps lower the carbon footprint, backs up the green initiatives and supports collecting accurate information all at the same time.
AI-Powered Analytics for the Bridge Inspection Drones Data
Initiating drones for bridge inspection and obtaining a set of data is one thing; understanding what is hidden within them is another thing. Nobody can 100% accurately decode the data streaming down to their computers, which is of utmost importance for the maintenance scheduling. This is where the Tigernix AI-Powered Smart Transportation Asset Software comes in. With its drone and satellite-driven data capturing, streaming, processing and interpreting capabilities, the municipalities, governments, and construction companies can receive 100% accurate information and rely on it to initiate bridge repairs.
