Roaming Sensor Platform for Subsurface Roadway Defect Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for inspecting civil infrastructure, such as bridge decks and roadways, are inefficient and often require traffic closures, leading to safety concerns and ineffective damage detection, especially for subsurface deterioration like delamination and corrosion.
Innovation Solution
A roaming sensor system equipped with vehicles that collect geoposition and condition data using sensors like Tire Excited Acoustic Sensors, Ground Penetrating Radar, and mm-wave surface radar, allowing for continuous data acquisition at traffic speeds without stopping traffic, and transmitting data to a control center for analysis and mapping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional inspection methods (chain drag, half-cell potentials, chloride contents) are used, then measurement precision can be achieved, but productivity is low and traffic closures are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical inspection methods (chain drag, impact echo) with non-contact sensor systems including acoustic sensors, ground penetrating radar, and mm-wave surface radar. These sensors can detect subsurface deterioration without physical contact or traffic closures, enabling continuous monitoring at traffic speeds while maintaining measurement precision for detecting delamination, corrosion, and cracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The roaming sensor system enables continuous inspection along roadway corridors without interrupting traffic flow. The system collects data continuously as vehicles travel through the area, eliminating the need for periodic traffic closures required by traditional methods. This continuous action maintains both measurement precision and high productivity simultaneously.
2Productivity
If ground penetrating radar and infrared thermography are used, then inspection speed increases, but spatial data coverage is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (acoustic sensors, ground penetrating radar, mm-wave surface radar, optical sensors) into an integrated roaming sensor system. This merging of complementary technologies provides both high inspection speed and comprehensive spatial data coverage. The acoustic sensors detect subsurface conditions, radar systems map geometric features and subsurface structures, and optical sensors document surface conditions, collectively achieving complete spatial coverage at traffic speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from point-based or line-based traditional inspection to area-based spatial data collection. By deploying sensors that can simultaneously measure across multiple dimensions (depth, width, length) and combining data from multiple sensor modalities, the system achieves comprehensive spatial coverage while maintaining high inspection speed through continuous roaming data collection.
3Ease of operation
If visual inspection methods are used, then ease of operation is high, but measurement precision for subsurface deterioration is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces simple visual inspection with sophisticated sensor systems that can detect subsurface deterioration invisible to the human eye. Acoustic sensors detect delamination and corrosion through vibration analysis, ground penetrating radar images subsurface structures, and mm-wave radar detects surface and subsurface conditions. These systems maintain ease of operation by being deployed from moving vehicles while achieving superior measurement precision for subsurface damage detection.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate, real-time monitoring of roadway and bridge deck conditions, improving safety and reducing the need for work zones, while providing quantitative assessments of subsurface integrity and early detection of damage, thus preventing larger issues.
Implementation Method 1
acoustic sensor system that uses acoustic waves generated by a vehicle's own tires during normal driving to assess subsurface conditions
Implementation Method 2
Ground Penetrating Radar
Implementation Method 3
mm-wave surface radar
Data Source
AI summary
A roaming sensor system collects data on the condition of roads and bridge decks and identifies and maps defects, including cracks, potholes, debonding, tracking, delamination, surface ice, surface water, and rebar corrosion. Data are collected by a vehicle or a fleet of vehicles driven at normal traffic speeds. The vehicle is outfitted with sensors that collect data using acoustic surface waves, ground penetrating radar, mm wave surface radar, and/or video images. The data are transmitted to a control center for analysis and distribution.