Real Time CFD Mapping of Hazardous Airflow Around Bridge Infrastructure

Principal Investigator: John Mott

Bridge inspections are an expensive and time-consuming process, varying significantly with the bridge's style, height, width, and length. Inspections create interruptions that interfere with bridge use, as the examination requires partial or total closure, causing traffic delays. Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) use has increased significantly over the past decade, including assistance and coordination during bridge inspections. However, the impact on the UAS from high winds and turbulent airflows induced by the bridge structure can decrease flight safety during inspections. Visualiza-tion of these hazards is difficult for UAS operators; therefore, a process to estimate the velocity and locations of these hazardous flows was created. The process begins by generating a simplified 3D model using the structural elements of a concrete and steel girder bridge based on the parameters and characteristics of the bridge. The model is then pro-cessed by a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) application that estimates the locations and velocities of the wind flows around the structure. Finally, the results are converted into a standard computer model file type that is either an augmented reality or computer application to display to assist the UAS operator.

Personnel

Students: Kristoffer Borgen