For Aging Bridges, UAB Engineer Wants to Send in the Drones

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2018/01/980116351_ba64e9e944_bridge-collapse.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:500;s:6:"height";i:333;s:4:"file";s:48:"2018/01/980116351_ba64e9e944_bridge-collapse.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:6:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:48:"980116351_ba64e9e944_bridge-collapse-336x224.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:224;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:48:"980116351_ba64e9e944_bridge-collapse-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:46:"980116351_ba64e9e944_bridge-collapse-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:48:"980116351_ba64e9e944_bridge-collapse-467x311.jpg";s:5:"width";i:467;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:48:"980116351_ba64e9e944_bridge-collapse-398x265.jpg";s:5:"width";i:398;s:6:"height";i:265;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:48:"980116351_ba64e9e944_bridge-collapse-125x125.jpg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:1:"0";s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:1:"0";s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";s:1:"0";s:3:"iso";s:1:"0";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:1:"0";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";s:1:"0";s:8:"keywords";a:0:{}}}
        )

    [_imagify_optimization_level] => Array
        (
            [0] => 0
        )

    [_imagify_data] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:2:{s:5:"sizes";a:8:{s:4:"full";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:76:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2018/01/980116351_ba64e9e944_bridge-collapse.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:95045;s:14:"optimized_size";i:87740;s:7:"percent";d:7.6900000000000004;}s:9:"thumbnail";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:84:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2018/01/980116351_ba64e9e944_bridge-collapse-140x140.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:6311;s:14:"optimized_size";i:5908;s:7:"percent";d:6.3899999999999997;}s:6:"medium";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:84:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2018/01/980116351_ba64e9e944_bridge-collapse-336x224.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:19368;s:14:"optimized_size";i:18389;s:7:"percent";d:5.0499999999999998;}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:82:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2018/01/980116351_ba64e9e944_bridge-collapse-80x80.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:2687;s:14:"optimized_size";i:2466;s:7:"percent";d:8.2200000000000006;}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:84:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2018/01/980116351_ba64e9e944_bridge-collapse-300x300.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:21315;s:14:"optimized_size";i:20281;s:7:"percent";d:4.8499999999999996;}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:84:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2018/01/980116351_ba64e9e944_bridge-collapse-467x311.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:33439;s:14:"optimized_size";i:31840;s:7:"percent";d:4.7800000000000002;}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:84:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2018/01/980116351_ba64e9e944_bridge-collapse-398x265.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:25874;s:14:"optimized_size";i:24557;s:7:"percent";d:5.0899999999999999;}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:84:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2018/01/980116351_ba64e9e944_bridge-collapse-125x125.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:5327;s:14:"optimized_size";i:4967;s:7:"percent";d:6.7599999999999998;}}s:5:"stats";a:3:{s:13:"original_size";i:209366;s:14:"optimized_size";i:196148;s:7:"percent";d:6.3099999999999996;}}
        )

    [_imagify_status] => Array
        (
            [0] => success
        )

    [_media_credit] => Array
        (
            [0] => Tony Webster
        )

    [_navis_media_credit_org] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [_navis_media_can_distribute] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

)
1667189609 
1517476751

Many of Alabama’s bridges are in bad shape. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, there are about 16,000 structurally deficient bridges in Alabama. It’s a problem here and across the country. Many of the bridges are just old, and many were built when traffic and cars were lighter. But inspecting bridges takes time, skill and money. Now, a University of Alabama at Birmingham engineering professor is using a $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to develop a solution using drones.

Practicalities

It takes a long time to inspect any good-sized bridge, and there aren’t enough specialists or budget dollars to do them all. UAB engineering professor Nassim Uddin says that’s dangerous.

dronesscreen-shot2

“We see a number of collapse of bridges recently, in Minneapolis, in Washington and so forth.”

Uddin says inspections become trickier and are required more frequently as bridges age. But he thinks drones could help.

“That was the challenge,” he says. “How can we use cheaper, very light sensors [to] give you a similar level of precision?”

The Plan

The idea is to mount sensors on bridges, then send drones out to upload information about the bridges’ health from the sensors. The drones themselves could scan the structures where the sensors can’t reach, too.

“Having the drones now, we don’t have to put hundreds and thousands of sensors sitting on the bridge and using lots of electricity and collecting the data day in and day out,” says Uddin.

Drones could be used for regular bridge inspections, or after storms or earthquakes.

Uddin is collaborating with researchers in Ireland and England, where he says there are fewer restrictions on testing drones in high-traffic areas. He hopes to run field tests in England this year. He’s also recently applied for a separate grant to develop the same drones to inspect buildings, homes and other structures after storms or earthquakes. Those drones could also serve as hotspot communications networks in disaster zones.

 

Space Command is coming to Huntsville. What might that mean for first-time homebuyers

While Huntsville has been a more affordable market than other growing cities, what’s it been like for those looking for their first home? 

Colorado says relocation of Space Command to Alabama is ‘punishment’ for mail-in voting

The litigation announced by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser asks a federal judge to block the move as unconstitutional.

Breaking down Alabama’s CHOOSE Act

It’s been a year since Alabama legislators passed the CHOOSE Act allowing families to apply for state funds to use towards homeschool expenses and tuition for participating private schools. The Alabama Daily News’ education reporter Trisha Powell Crain has been diving into how the funds are being used. WBHM’s Andrew Gelderman sat down with her to talk about what we’re seeing so far.

Huntsville is growing fast. Here’s how it’s stayed affordable

Home prices are rising in Huntsville, but so far, the city’s avoided the skyrocketing costs in other boom towns.

What are your unique holiday traditions? NPR wants to know

The holiday season is full of traditions and we all celebrate them a bit differently. NPR wants to your most unique holiday traditions. What makes celebrating this time of year feel special for you?

What are your unique holiday traditions? NPR wants to know

The holiday season is full of traditions and we all celebrate them a bit differently. NPR wants to your most unique holiday traditions. What makes celebrating this time of year feel special for you?

More Front Page Coverage