A computer-controlled multipurpose bridge maintenance robotic system

Bridge maintenance work normally consists of four procedures: inspection, spray washing, sandblasting and painting. These tasks are hazardous to both the human operator and the working environment. Furthermore, dangerous and strenuous working conditions result in poor maintenance quality and productivity; time and labor is wasted in changing tools which contributes to downtime. This paper presents a computer-controlled multipurpose bridge maintenance robotic system (CMBMRS) which is being developed at the Construction Automation and Robotics Laboratory (CARL) at North Carolina State University to address some of these problems. The overall goal of this project is to design and build a computer-based multi-function system to enhance the worker's safety, quality and productivity in performing the bridge maintenance tasks as well as to prevent the environment from chemical pollution. Promising site test results illustrate that such a system is a feasible and effective approach to bridge maintenance that avoids direct human involvement with hazardous working conditions.