PMSS Project Details

Project ID:	FHWA-PROJ-11-0104
Project Name:	Development of a Field Prototype for the Inspection of Culverts
Status:	Proposed
Contact:	Last Name: Jalinoos First Name: Frank Telephone: 202-493-3082 E-mail: frank.jalinoos@dot.gov
Organization:	Federal Highway Administration - Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC)
Office:	Office of Infrastructure Research and Development
Team:	Hazard Mitigation Team
Roadmap/Focus area(s):	Infrastructure Research and Technology Strategic Plan and Roadmap
Project Description:	The Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC) J. Sterling Jones Hydraulics Research Laboratory has been working with the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) to develop a system prototype for inspecting culverts. The prototype system consists of an ultrasonic-based tethered system designed to display the images of culverts, and works both in air and in water. The work has been funded through the Exploratory Advanced Research (EAR) Program. The initial proof-of-concept phase of the project was completed on August 4th, 2011 with the demonstration of technology to a wide audience at the TFHRC J. Sterling Jones Hydraulics Research Laboratory. Since the technology demonstration, the management has expressed interest to continue funding this project for more advanced imaging capability and to make the system more fieldworthy for use by an average inspector.
Laboratories:	J. Sterling Jones Hydraulics Laboratory
Start Date:	July 29, 2010
End Date:	April 30, 2013
Funding Amount:	$113,355.00
FHWA Program Name:	Exploratory Advanced Research
Goals:	The phase I proof of concept has been completed. The objective of the present phase II implementation phase of the research is to continue funding the system prototype with the development of two units suitable for field deployment.
Project Type:	Onsite and Offsite
Background Information:	Data not yet available
Test Methodology:	The work shall be performed by a delivery order modification in accordance to the following tasks: (1) Modifications of the existing water-floatable probe with the addition of optical sensors, a winch with distance wheel, a water-resistant field computer, and a self- contained sensor with improved sensor layout and three-dimensional imaging capability. (2) Creation of an inexpensive rover/skid/pulley transport system for dry culverts. (3) Technology demonstration and lab and field training at Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (followed by field trials). (4) Creation of a commercialization plan. (5) System revisions and final report.
Other Information:	Data not yet available
Partners:	Data not yet available
More Information URL(s):
Fieldtest:	Data not yet available
Expected Benefits:	Thousands of culvert pipes are damaged every year in large rain events or in floods. The costs to repair and/or replace culverts can often be in the millions due to the costs for detouring/impacting traffic, providing mitigation for environmental impacts, additional habitat or stream restoration as well as other miscellaneous preliminary engineering, right of way, and construction costs. Applications for an effective culvert inspection technology could be far reaching as a practical and inexpensive tool for Federal, State, and local agencies in their efforts to monitor, maintain, and catch repairable damage early. The results of this research in an advanced culvert inspection system will benefit the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), all State Departments of Transportation (DOT), counties, cities, and other public and private engineering and design organizations (TRB, 2011). Malfunctioning culverts could result in water-on-highway surfaces or the creation of subsurface voids, ultimately leading to roadway collapse; the public safety interest is at stake.
Deliverables:	1. Name: FHWA Culvert inspection system. Product Type(s): Research report, Article, Promotional materials, Hardware Description: Two field prototype systems with an operation manual. Audiences: Hydraulic and geotechnical engineers, Federal Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center staff, Local bridge owners, Bridge owners, City and county agencies Secondary Audiences: 2. Name: FHWA Culvert inspection systems. Product Type(s): Research report, Technical report, Training materials Description: Product demo, training, field/lab testing, and the final study report. Audiences: Academics, Bridge owners, City and county agencies, Federal Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center staff, Hydraulic and geotechnical engineers, Local bridge owners, Researchers Secondary Audiences:
Related URL(s):
Project Findings:	Data not yet available
FHWA Topics:	Research/Technologies--Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC)
TRT Terms:	Bridges and Culverts Infrastructure Bridges Research Culverts Floods Highways Environmental Impacts
FHWA Disciplines:	Hydraulics
Subject Areas:	Bridges and other structures Hydraulics and Hydrology Maintenance and Preservation Pipelines