safety added through utilization of rope access techniques ... · safety added through utilization...

Safety Added Through Utilization of Rope Access Techniques during Bridge Inspections

Presented by: John Zuleger, P.E., SPRAT III, sUAS

Disclaimer & Safety Minute

10/18/20172

This presentation is not a training, and is intended for informational purposes only.

Please seek proper training before beginning any climbing activities.

Disclaimer & Safety Minute

Presentation Overview

1. Intro to Advanced Climbing Systems

2. SPRAT Research and Drop Tests

3. UAS Overview

4. William Natcher Bridge Case Study

5. Lessons Learned

6. Future of Rope Access and UAS

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Climbing Environment & Flip Line Evolution

OSHA/ANSI z359 Requirements

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Rope Access Safety Rates

Industrial Rope Access Trade Association (IRATA) 2014 Report

Major injuries:0Reportable injury rate: 64 per 100,000 workersNon-reportable:2-4 per 1,000 workers

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Why Research?Why Research?Why Research?Why Research?Balance:Fall DistanceForce

Why Research?

Testing Setup

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SHOCK ABSOBER

Rock Rock Rock Rock ExocticaExocticaExocticaExocticaenForcerenForcerenForcerenForcer Load CellLoad CellLoad CellLoad Cell

Calibrated with analog scale: +/- 5lbs

Testing Setup

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Drop Test: Static – Full Length - Goblin

https://youtu.be/OwLfWY0f3bY

Static – Cinched - Vector

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Drop Test: Static – Cinched - Vector

https://youtu.be/jLzoWz2lkA8

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Drop Test: Shock Pack – Cinched – Goblin

https://youtu.be/7W-rUSeh2Do

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1700

2100

3500

1400

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

1

FORCE (LBF)

Average Drop Test Forces

Tests Dynamic Static Shock Pack

900lbs

Results

Results

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No significant correlation between device type & length of rope to force result

Dynamic rope & shock absorber reduce force

Limiting to 900lbs was not achieved

CAMP has indicated double legs may not allow Goblin to slip

Results

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Topcon Falcon 8

DJI Inspire 2

DJI Phantom 4

UAS Airframes

General Uses: UAS

� Structural Inspections• Bridges• Buildings• High-Mast• Turbines

� Post-Disaster• Rescue• Construction Monitoring, Volumetric Take-Offs

� 3D Models & Point Cloud Surveys � Structural Health Monitoring� Thermal Imaging, FLIR

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Inspection Screening� Prescreen: Safety – Efficiency - Thorough

• Initial investigation with UAS

• In-depth, hands-on investigation with rope access

• Complete record of all flights

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UAS Screening UAS Supported Inspector

On-Call Support

� Live UAS Support

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https://youtu.be/jxtAU9W92u0

Structural Inspections

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Verification Calibration

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At 10 feetPhantom 4

At 10 feetPhantom 4

At 40 feetInspire 2

At 40 feetInspire 2

Measuring & Health Monitoring

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Point cloud model for measuring

Thermal Imaging

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Bridge Decks

Concrete Delamination

Case Study:William Natcher Bridge

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https://youtu.be/U066oRc-vic

Equipment ascent


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https://youtu.be/-G1TFH_qQ0U

Cable scan


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https://youtu.be/NlnTUjnHdV8

Defect find


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Rope access investigation

https://youtu.be/6UsWI2C39fo


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� New Finding Discovered with UAV

� Inspector sent in via rope to investigate


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At 30 feetInspire 2


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� 3D model for health monitoring

� Known cracks mapped

� Then captured in model


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� Summary of Findings

• 1/8” crack detectable at 30ft in HDPE


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• Verification of detection

• 100% of cable connections rappelled

• 25% of cable lengths rappelled

• UAS captured deficiencies at connections

• UAS detected 1 new crack along cable body


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• Efficiency

• UAS: 8 minutes per cable

• Rope Access: 45 minutes per cable + initial setup

Lessons Learned: Limitations

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� Wind & Vortex Shedding

� Inspector verification hands on

� Tight girder spacing tricky

� Trusses tricky

� GPS interference

Lessons Learned: Limitations

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� Battery life in cold conditions

• Inspire won’t take off if battery is < 50°

• Falcon 8 averaged 9 mins of flight time

• Inspect in warm weather!

Future Opportunities

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� Research for policy development• Probability of detection, validation

• Cameras for enhanced detection, FLIR, etc.

Future Opportunities

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� Preprogrammed flight paths

� Machine learning and inspection algorithms

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9o5QN9jw-c

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Thank you to our partners at PMI and PMI’s VRS:Jeff Bowles, SPRAT IBrian Connell, SPRAT I

Michael Baker research participants:

Mike Baron, PE, SPRAT I Jeff Sams, CBI, SPRAT III Eric Thornley, PE, SPRAT IIIJohn Zuleger, PE, SPRAT III

UAS Acknowledgements:

Alicia McConnell, PEKevin Pomaski, sUAS

Questions?

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