Underwater Inspection of Navigation Structures with an Acoustic Camera
Abstract
The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) operations within turbid waters creates a need for better ways to inspect, quantify, monitor, and locate infrastructure in a difficult environment. Inspection methods have included dewatering, tactile diver inspection, and side-scan or multi-beam sonars. These older approaches can have high cost, inherent danger, and/or limited output quality. Newer technologies that use highly focused acoustic beams could greatly improve underwater observation. The research described in this report addresses the limitations and expands the capabilities of an underwater, high-resolution acoustical imaging system for USACE. These efforts have produced new hardware and software and associated methods that address specific needs in system deployment, data collection, and analysis. During this research, continuous leveraging of reimbursable needs within USACE districts has produced an invaluable view of performance, capabilities, and limitations. It is believed that acoustical imaging technology will be a catalyst for the development of other advanced inspection capabilities within the Corps navigation system.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA584035
Entities
People
- James A. Evans
- Richard Haskins
- Terry W. Warren
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center