The requirements for structures that are located in water bodies are considerably higher than those that are freely accessible. This also applies to the examination and assessment of the condition. The surroundings, the environmental parameters under water and the site conditions have a greater influence.
In order to meet these challenges, the use of scientific divers makes sense. However, this poses the problem of coverage. It can be very time-consuming to investigate large areas or structures. To counteract this, existing techniques from the RoBiMo project are being tested to increase the efficiency of the investigation.
The combination of an imaging remote sensing method, the echo sounder survey, has already been used on individual dams in Saxony and bridge piers in rivers. A single-beam and a multi-beam sonar were used by means of different floating robots for the preliminary exploration of the water structure in the area of the piers or dam wall. Dangerous scouring and obstacles can be recognised, especially in rivers.
This investigation is being carried out in collaboration with DEKRA structural testing and the Chair of Robotics and Software Development at TU Bergakademie Freiberg.
