The use of robotics for nondestructive evaluation of steel highway bridges and structures

Abstract

This interim report describes the progress during the first year of a project to develop robotics hardware for nondestructive evaluation (NDE) of steel structures. The project objectives are to (1) develop and test an improved prototype (POLECAT-II) crawling robotics system for the remote NDE of high-mast light poles, and (2) demonstrate the use of robotics systems for nondestructive inspection of highway bridges and structures. The project has produced a new design of a robotic device called POLECAT-IIM which will be further tested and refined. It will be utilized to guide the evolution of a more dexterous device during the remaining 2.5 years of the project.