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Remote Inspection of Wooden Utility Poles (RIWUP)

Remote Inspection of Wooden Utility Poles (RIWUP)

This project ultimately aimed at knowledge and concepts contributing to reliable remote inspection of wooden utility poles in energy infrastructures. It aims to move the research front of inspection from currently human-driven techniques such as on-site hammering and drilling, into remote scanning systems and digital tools for automated analysis. This competency building project has multi-tiered impact.

Science: This project established a new concept for remote inspection. We could realize a multi-modal system (4 sensor modalities), which could generate a set of distinct features, which jointly enable a comprehensive assessment of wooden pole condition and detection of rot. We could elaborate on unsupervised clustering to reveal fundamental scientific insights on design of wood descriptors for automated condition analysis;

Application: In this project, we have collected several data from the multi-modal system in a lab and from the field for development of the analysis method and its evaluation. We were also able to generate ground truth data using lab experiments to understand wood fungi growth as well as to use X-ray scanning for providing a surface and subsurface screening for evaluation;

Practice: In this project, we could perform several test and validation scenarios using both lab and field trials and we could show the potential of the multi-modal system for rot detection in wooden utility poles. There were some challenges related due to environmental constraints (weather, metal around poles) causing instability and noise in the measurements that need to be further analysed for wide usability.

Next steps: Partners have identified potentials of the system for exploitation. Therefore, we are in discussions about filing a patent to protect the technology and establishing the following steps to design innovation activities as a next phase of collaboration.

The success of the following innovation activities will enable energy companies massive cost-reduction, improved safety and working environment to support operators dealing with on-site inspection of wooden utility poles.

NORCE and partners are elaborating on strategies for building a national team with strong and outstanding competency and fostering international collaborations to promote these results for a wider exploitation.

As a final note, the project resulted into a PhD degree and few publications to support the follow-up innovation activities with fundamental competencies as a solid track record.

Project facts

Name

Remote Inspection of Wooden Utility Poles (RIWUP)

Status

CONCLUDED

Duration

01.03.18 - 31.03.24

Total budget

10.200.000 NOK

Research group

Funding

Research Council of Norway (RCN)

Project members

Rolf Ole Rydeng Jenssen
Erik Thomassen Hauge
Nadia Noori
Ingunn Burud