Device

Abstract

A device (100) comprises: at least one database (10) for storing relationship data associating together at least one observable first phenomenon in at least one type of structure and at least one non-observable second phenomenon that can occur when the at least one first phenomenon has occurred; an input unit (20) for receiving input of an observation result of the first phenomenon that was obtained by inspecting a structure of the same type as the at least one type of structure; an estimation unit (30) for estimating a situation of occurrence of the second phenomenon associated with the first phenomenon, from the observation result of the first phenomenon inputted to the input unit (20) and on the basis of the relationship data stored in the at least one database (10); and an output unit (40) for outputting situation data indicating the situation of occurrence of the second phenomenon estimated by the estimation unit (30).

Description

Device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus.

[0002] Deterioration such as cracks occurs in structures due to daily use or aging. In particular, buildings mass-produced during the period of high economic growth are becoming dilapidated. Therefore, it is desirable to inspect structures periodically. Inspections such as those described in Patent Document 1 are often required to maintain structures. When a problem of concern is visible, the easiest way to inspect a structure is through a visual inspection.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-007869

[0004] However, there are phenomena that cannot be observed, such as internal strain in metal. Furthermore, in underground structures such as manholes and tunnels, there are also phenomena that occur in unobservable locations, such as on the natural ground side. In the case of underground structures, people can sometimes enter the interior and visually inspect for deterioration, for example. On the other hand, people cannot enter the natural ground side, so inspections are not possible.

[0005] Here, the inspection includes destructive inspection and non-destructive inspection.

[0006] When conducting destructive testing, costs are incurred to repair any damage or deformation caused by the testing. Also, for example, it is unrealistic to excavate the natural ground to inspect the outside of a structure. There are also cases where destroying the test object is not desirable.

[0007] Non-destructive testing technology may not be established. Also, depending on the method, it may be expensive. Furthermore, as the working population is decreasing due to aging, it is necessary to efficiently maintain aging buildings.

[0008] In addition, there are phenomena that cannot be observed by destructive or non-destructive testing. For example, cracks that occur at the boundary between the tunnel and the ground in deep tunnels or tunnels that run through mountains. It is impractical to excavate from the ground to the walls of these tunnels.

[0009] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to estimate unobservable phenomena in a structure.

[0010] An apparatus according to one embodiment includes at least one database that stores relationship data that correlates at least one observable first event in at least one type of structure with at least one unobservable second event that may occur when the at least one first event occurs; an input unit that accepts input of observation results of the first event obtained by inspecting structures of the same type as the at least one type of structure; an estimation unit that estimates the occurrence status of a second event associated with the first event from the observation results of the first event input to the input unit based on the relationship data stored in the at least one database; and an output unit that outputs status data indicating the occurrence status of the second event estimated by the estimation unit.

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it becomes possible to estimate unobservable phenomena in a structure.

[0012] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a device according to one embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a structure in state 1; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a structure in state 2 in which a first event and a second event are occurring; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a structure in state 3 in which a first event and a second event are occurring; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing relational data in list format; FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure by which a worker inspects a structure using a device; FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a worker visually inspecting a manhole; FIG. 8 is a diagram showing forces and bending moments acting on a manhole upper deck slab; FIG. 9 is a bottom view of a manhole upper deck slab in which a crack has occurred near the worker's entrance; FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a manhole in which a crack has occurred near the longitudinal end of the upper deck slab.

[0013] An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0014] In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the description of this embodiment, the description of the same or corresponding parts will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0015] The configuration of an apparatus 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0016] The apparatus 100 includes a database 10, an input unit 20, an estimation unit 30, and an output unit 40. The apparatus 100 is, for example, a server. The apparatus 100 may be installed in a management office away from a structure to be inspected by an operator.

[0017] The database 10 stores relationship data 11. The relationship data 11 associates at least one observable first event and at least one unobservable second event in at least one type of structure. The second event can occur when at least one first event occurs. The relationship data 11 may include data associating multiple first events with at least one second event as the at least one first event.

[0018] For example, the first event may be a crack that is 1 millimeter or more wide on the inside of the upper deck of a manhole. The second event may be a crack that is on the natural ground side of the upper deck of a manhole. The location where the first or second event occurs may be a rough location and does not necessarily have to be strictly determined.

[0019] There may be a plurality of databases 10. The plurality of databases 10 may correspond to different types of structures. More specifically, each database 10 may store relationship data 11 that associates first events and second events in different types of structures. The different types of structures may be manholes or tunnels. The types of structures may be different when the depth, shape, installation location, etc. of the structures differ. The shape may include the presence or absence of a worker entrance, a pipeline, etc. The installation location may distinguish, for example, whether the structure is located under a roadway or a sidewalk.

[0020] In this specification and claims, "observable" means that an event can be directly measured by a worker or the like, for example, by non-destructive testing. For example, a worker can observe the size of a crack in the manhole deck by visual inspection or with a vernier caliper or the like. A worker can also observe the presence or absence, width, lifting, or peeling of a crack by percussion testing, palpation, or an ultrasonic flaw detector or the like.

[0021] When a first event occurs and a second event occurs with a high probability, the first event and the second event may be associated in the relationship data 11. When a first event occurs and an event of high importance is likely to occur, the event of high importance may be regarded as the second event even if the probability of the event of high importance occurring is low. The relationship data 11 may include the importance of the second event or the probability of the second event occurring.

[0022] The database 10 may include, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, an optical memory, etc. The database 10 may also include an electromagnetic storage medium such as a magnetic disk. The database 10 may also include a communication module configured to be able to communicate with the estimation unit 30.

[0023] The input unit 20 accepts input of observation results 21 of a first event. The observation results 21 of the first event are obtained by inspecting at least structures of the same type as the first type of structure. The input unit 20 may further accept input of the type of inspected structure. The input unit 20 may accept input of observation results 21 of a plurality of first events. More specifically, a worker may inspect a manhole while viewing a list of a plurality of first events output from the output unit 40, and input the observation results 21 of the first event to the input unit 20 via a terminal such as a smartphone. The observation results 21 of the first event may include the width of a crack that has occurred in the inner wall of the inspected structure.

[0024] The input unit 20 can accept input from a worker. More specifically, the input unit 20 can accept input from a terminal such as a smartphone carried by the worker. The terminal such as a smartphone can include at least one input interface through which the worker can input. In this embodiment, the input interface is a touch screen of the terminal such as a smartphone. The touch screen accepts touch operations as input. However, the input interface is not limited to this. For example, the input interface may be physical keys, capacitive keys, a pointing device, a microphone, or the like.

[0025] For example, if a terminal such as a smartphone cannot communicate with the input unit 20 within a structure, the terminal such as a smartphone may transmit the measurement results 21 to the input unit 20 after it becomes able to communicate with the input unit 20.

[0026] The estimation unit 30 estimates the occurrence status of a second event associated with the first event from the observation results 21 of the first event input to the input unit 20, based on the relationship data 11 stored in at least one database 10. The estimation unit 30 may include a database management system that manages the databases 10.

[0027] When the observation results 21 of a plurality of first events are input to the input unit 20, the estimation unit 30 may estimate the occurrence status of a second event associated with each of the input first events.

[0028] When the input unit 20 receives an input of the type of inspected structure, the estimation unit 30 may estimate the occurrence status of a second event associated with the first event based on the relationship data 11 stored in the database 10 corresponding to the input type of structure. The type of structure may be input before the worker inspects the structure.

[0029] The output unit 40 outputs situation data 41 indicating the occurrence status of the second event estimated by the estimation unit 30. The situation data 41 may indicate the occurrence status of a plurality of second events.

[0030] The manager may create a repair plan based on the situation data 41 output by the output unit 40. The repair plan may include the work content, necessary tools, etc. When repairing deterioration on the natural ground side of a structure, the ground covering the structure may need to be removed.

[0031] The estimation unit 30 includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit, at least one dedicated circuit, or any combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. "CPU" is an abbreviation for central processing unit. "GPU" is an abbreviation for graphics processing unit. An example of the programmable circuit is an FPGA. "FPGA" is an abbreviation for field-programmable gate array. An example of the dedicated circuit is an ASIC. "ASIC" is an abbreviation for application specific integrated circuit.

[0032] The input unit 20, the estimation unit 30, and the output unit 40 each individually or collectively include at least one communication module. The communication module is, for example, a module that complies with a wired LAN communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or a wireless LAN communication standard such as IEEE 802.11. "LAN" is an abbreviation for local area network. "IEEE" is an abbreviation for Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

[0033] The device 100 of the present disclosure can also be realized by a computer and a program, and the program can be recorded on a recording medium or provided via a network. For example, the functions of the device 100 are realized by executing a program according to this embodiment on a processor serving as the estimation unit 30. That is, the functions of the device 100 are realized by software. The program causes a computer to execute the operations of the device 100, thereby causing the computer to function as the device 100. That is, the computer functions as the device 100 by executing the operations of the device 100 in accordance with the program.

[0034] The program can be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Examples of the non-transitory computer-readable medium include flash memory, magnetic recording devices, optical disks, magneto-optical recording media, and ROMs. The program can be distributed by selling, transferring, or lending portable media such as SD cards, DVDs, or CD-ROMs that store the program. "SD" is an abbreviation for Secure Digital. "DVD" is an abbreviation for digital versatile disc. "CD-ROM" is an abbreviation for compact disc read only memory. The program can also be distributed by storing it in the storage of a server and transferring it from the server to another computer. The program can also be provided as a program product.

[0035] A computer temporarily stores a program stored on a portable medium or transferred from a server in its main storage device. The computer then reads the program stored in the main storage device with its processor and executes processing in accordance with the read program. The computer may also read the program directly from the portable medium and execute processing in accordance with the program. The computer may also execute processing in accordance with the received program each time a program is transferred from the server to the computer. Processing may also be executed using a so-called ASP-type service that realizes functions simply by issuing execution instructions and obtaining results, without transferring the program from the server to the computer. "ASP" is an abbreviation for application service provider. A program is information used for processing by a computer and includes something equivalent to a program. For example, data that is not a direct instruction to a computer but has properties that define computer processing falls under the category of "something equivalent to a program."

[0036] A part or all of the functions of the device 100 may be realized by a programmable circuit or a dedicated circuit as the estimation unit 30. In other words, a part or all of the functions of the device 100 may be realized by hardware.

[0037] In this embodiment, the device 100 grasps the predicted deterioration process of a structure in advance and clarifies the relationship between observable and unobservable events. Then, relational data 11 that associates a first observable event with a second unobservable event is created. The relational data 11 is stored in the database 10.

[0038] The following describes the procedure for storing the relational data 11 in the database 10 of the device 100. In this example, the structure targeted by the relational data 11 is a manhole, but the same applies to a tunnel. The tunnel may be a communication tunnel.

[0039] In State 1 shown in Figure 2, there is no particular deterioration in the manhole. In other words, there is neither an observable first event nor an unobservable second event in the structure.

[0040] In State 2 shown in Figure 3, Deterioration A, the first observable event, appears almost simultaneously with Deterioration B, the second unobservable event. In another example, Deterioration B may appear before Deterioration A. Deterioration A is a crack that has occurred in the upper deck, which is part of the inner wall of the manhole. Deterioration A may be limited to cracks with a width of 1 mm or more. Deterioration B is a distortion or crack that has occurred near the center of the natural ground surface of the side wall of the manhole. Note that Deterioration B could be observed by digging up the ground covering the manhole, but this is costly and time-consuming and therefore not practical, so in this example, Deterioration B is considered to be unobservable.

[0041] In State 3 shown in Figure 4, the appearance of Deterioration C, which is the first observable event, is almost simultaneously followed by the appearance of Deterioration D, which is the second unobservable event. Deterioration C is a distortion or crack that has occurred near the longitudinal end of the side surface that is part of the inner wall of the manhole. Deterioration D is a distortion or crack that has occurred near the longitudinal end of the natural ground surface of the manhole side wall, on the opposite side from Deterioration C.

[0042] Note that all of the deteriorations A to D may occur.

[0043] The condition of the target structure described above may be clarified in advance of the inspection by experiments involving destructive testing, structural analysis using the finite element method, etc. Generally, the depth, shape, installation position, etc. of the structure on which the experiment or structural analysis is performed to create the relationship data 11 are similar to those of the structure inspected by the worker described below. The two structures may be identical.

[0044] The relationship data 11 is preferably in the list format shown in Fig. 5. This allows the estimation unit 30 to determine, during an actual inspection, that if there is degradation A as an observable first event, there is likely to be degradation B as an unobservable second event. Also, if there is degradation C as an observable first event, there is likely to be degradation D as an unobservable second event.

[0045] 6, an example of a procedure for an operator to inspect a structure using the device 100 will be described below. As described above, this manhole is similar in depth, shape, size, etc. to the manhole for which experiments or structural analysis were performed to create the relationship data 11 stored in the database 10.

[0046] 7 inspects a manhole, which is a structure. Specifically, the worker 200 inspects the manhole, for example, visually, and finds deterioration A and deterioration C.

[0047] In S2, the worker 200 inputs the observation results 21 of the first events into a terminal such as a smartphone that the worker 200 carries with him / her. Specifically, the observation results 21 of the first events are Degradation A and Degradation C. The output unit 40 may display a list of multiple first events on the terminal such as a smartphone. The worker 200 may select the observed first event from the list of multiple first events displayed on the screen of the terminal such as a smartphone. The terminal such as a smartphone transmits the input observation results 21 to the input unit 20.

[0048] In S3, the estimation unit 30 estimates the occurrence status of the second event associated with the first event from the observation result 21 of the first event, based on the relationship data 11 stored in the database 10. Specifically, the estimation unit 30 estimates Degradation C and Degradation D as the occurrence status of the second event, which are associated with Degradation A and Degradation C, respectively, as the first event.

[0049] In S4 , the output unit 40 outputs situation data 41 indicating the occurrence situation of the second event estimated by the estimation unit 30 .

[0050] Another example of the association between the first event and the second event is shown below: The structure is a reinforced concrete manhole installed under the roadway.

[0051] Manholes are subjected to vehicle loads and other factors. Cracks in manholes caused by loads can occur on both the inside and outside of the manhole. Cracks inside the manhole can be seen by workers entering the manhole, but cracks on the outside of the manhole cannot be easily seen because they are covered by the ground.

[0052] The inventors discovered that the presence or absence of cracks on the outside of a manhole correlates with cracks on the inside of the upper deck. The upper deck of an underground manhole can be modeled as being subjected to a uniformly distributed load w in the vertical downward direction due to vehicle loads, etc., as shown in Figure 8. This uniformly distributed load w causes a bending moment Mx, shown by the curve in Figure 8, to act on the upper deck. Mx is expressed by the following formula: where l is the length of the manhole, and x is the distance from one end of the manhole in the longitudinal direction.

[0053]

[0054] From the above equation, the absolute value of the bending moment Mx is large at the longitudinal ends (x = 0, l) indicated by the white circles and the longitudinal center (x = l / 2) indicated by the dotted circle. Therefore, cracks are likely to occur at the longitudinal ends and longitudinal center of the manhole. From the direction of the bending moment in the above equation, cracks at the longitudinal ends of the manhole exist on the unobservable side of the natural ground. Cracks in the longitudinal center of the manhole exist on the observable inside of the manhole. In other words, cracks in the longitudinal center that may exist inside the manhole are the first observable event. Cracks at the longitudinal ends that may exist outside the manhole are the second unobservable event. Therefore, in the relationship data 11, cracks in the longitudinal center and cracks at the longitudinal ends can be associated.

[0055] The above-described method allows the relationship data 11 to be created efficiently.

[0056] Below, we will show another example of the association between the first event and the second event. The inventors conducted an analysis assuming a real environment. If the crack width of a crack on the inside of the upper deck is equal to or greater than a specified value, a crack may exist outside the manhole. The specified value is, for example, 1 millimeter. In other words, in a manhole, a crack first occurs underground near the worker's entrance on the inner wall of the manhole, as shown in Figure 9. This location corresponds to the center of the manhole in the longitudinal direction, indicated by the dotted circle in Figure 8. If the crack width is less than the specified value, no cracks will occur outside the manhole, as described below.

[0057] As the manhole deteriorates further, the crack width on the manhole inner wall reaches a specified value. At approximately the same time, a crack appears near the longitudinal end of the outer side of the upper deck slab, as shown in Figure 10. This crack corresponds to the end of the manhole, indicated by the white circle in Figure 8. The crack width on the inner side of the upper deck slab being equal to or greater than the specified value is an observable first event. A crack at the outer longitudinal end of the manhole is an unobservable second event that can occur when the first event occurs. Therefore, in the relationship data 11, the crack width on the inner side of the upper deck slab being equal to or greater than the specified value can be associated with a crack at the outer longitudinal end of the manhole.

[0058] In this way, by understanding the relationship between the crack width on the manhole inner wall and the cracks on the outer wall in advance through analysis or the like, the device 100 can understand unobservable phenomena such as cracks on the manhole outer wall. The specified value of the crack width can be calculated through experiments, structural analysis, or the like.

[0059] The following additional notes are provided regarding the above-described embodiments.

[0060] (Supplementary Item 1) An apparatus comprising: at least one database that stores relationship data that correlates at least one observable first event and at least one unobservable second event that can occur when the at least one first event occurs in at least one type of structure; an input unit that accepts input of observation results of the first event obtained by inspecting structures of the same type as the at least one type of structure; an estimation unit that estimates an occurrence status of a second event associated with the first event from the observation results of the first event input to the input unit based on the relationship data stored in the at least one database; and an output unit that outputs status data that indicates the occurrence status of the second event estimated by the estimation unit. (Supplementary Item 2) The apparatus described in Supplementary Item 1, wherein the observation results of the first event include a width of a crack that has occurred in an inner wall of the inspected structure. (Supplementary Item 3) The device according to Supplementary Item 1 or Supplementary Item 2, wherein the at least one database includes a plurality of databases, each database corresponding to a type of structure, the input unit further accepts input of the type of the inspected structure, and the estimation unit estimates an occurrence status of the second event based on the relationship data stored in the database corresponding to the input type of structure. (Supplementary Item 4) The device according to any one of Supplementary Item 1 to Supplementary Item 3, wherein the relationship data includes, as the at least one first event, data associating a plurality of first events with the at least one second event, and the output unit further outputs a list of the plurality of first events.

[0061] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, two or more blocks shown in the block diagram may be integrated, or one block may be divided. Two or more steps shown in the flowchart may be executed in parallel or in a different order, instead of being executed in chronological order as described, depending on the processing capabilities of the device executing each step, or as needed. Other modifications are possible within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0062] 10 Database 11 Relational data 100 Device 20 Input section 21 Observation result 30 Estimation section 40 Output section 41 Situation data 200 Worker A, B, C, D Deterioration Mx Moment w Uniformly distributed load

Claims

1. At least one database that stores relationship data associating at least one observable first event in at least one type of structure and at least one unobservable second event that may occur when the at least one first event occurs; an input unit that receives an input of an observation result of the first event obtained by inspecting a structure of the same type as the at least one type of structure; an estimation unit that estimates the occurrence status of the second event associated with the first event based on the relationship data stored in the at least one database from the observation result of the first event input to the input unit; and an output unit that outputs status data indicating the occurrence status of the second event estimated by the estimation unit. A device comprising:

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the observation result of the first event includes the width of a crack generated on the inner wall of the inspected structure.

3. The device includes, as the at least one database, a plurality of databases corresponding to the type of structure respectively. The input unit further receives an input of the type of the inspected structure. The estimation unit estimates the occurrence status of the second event based on the relationship data stored in the database corresponding to the input type of the structure. The device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The relationship data includes data associating a plurality of first events as the at least one first event with the at least one second event. The output unit further outputs a list of the plurality of first events. The device according to claim 1 or 2.

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