Use of Remote Structural Tap Testing Devices Deployed via Ground Vehicle for Health Monitoring of Transportation Infrastructure

Abstract

Transportation infrastructure is an integral part of the world’s overall functionality; however, current transportation infrastructure has aged since it was first developed and implemented. Consequently, given its condition, preservation has become a main priority for transportation agencies. Billions of dollars annually are required to maintain the United States’ transportation system; however, with limited budgets the prioritization of maintenance and repairs is key. Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) methods can efficiently inform the prioritization of preservation efforts. This paper presents an acoustic monitoring SHM method, deemed tap testing, which is used to detect signs of deterioration in structural/mechanical surfaces through nondestructive means. This method is proposed as a tool to assist bridge inspectors, who already utilize a costly form of SHM methodology when conducting inspections in the field. Challenges arise when it comes to this method of testing, especially when SHM device deployment is done by hand, and when the results are based solely upon a given inspector’s abilities. This type of monitoring solution is also, in general, only available to experts, and is associated with special cases that justify their cost. With the creation of a low-cost, cyber–physical system that interrogates and classifies the mechanical health of given surfaces, we lower the cost of SHM, decrease the challenges faced when conducting such tests, and enable communities with a revolutionary solution that is adaptable to their needs. The authors of this paper created and tested a low-cost, interrogating robot that informs users of structural/mechanical defects. This research describes the further development, validation of, and experimentation with, a tap testing device that utilizes remote technology.

Roadmap on measurement technologies for next generation structural health monitoring systems

“…As the area of sensors and cameras is advancing, many unique platforms can be developed for UAV integrated instruments; which provide high spatial resolution data integrate directly with different sensors such as RGB cameras or LiDAR. Looking forward, the prospects of remote sensing data analysis will continue to improve as machine learning, artificial intelligence, and computer vision techniques enhance the facilitate live UAV data analysis (figure 22) [248][249][250][251].…”

Bio-Inspired Robotic Tap Testing: An Innovative Approach for Nondestructive Testing of Wooden Structures

“…The promising results indicates that this method has the potential to serve as a viable alternative to manual rock inspections. In another study [30], they designed an automated remote structural tap testing robot that can be used in various geotechnical applications. The development of this low-cost interrogating robot device, combined with PCA-based classification method, is expected to inspire, and motivate the creation of other low-cost sensors.…”

Development of low-cost sensors for structural health monitoring applications

“…For example, Mei et al [125] developed an unmanned gound vehicle based on an Arduino micrcontroller for evaluating the pavement distress. Nasimi et al [126] illustrated an acoustic monitoring for SHM of bridges based on Arduino technology. This system is build to assist bridge inspectors to find surface deterioation using nondistructive tests.…”