CME.16 – Analysis of Sign Structures Using Drones and Digital Imagery
Team Members Heading link
- Megan Bowman
- Ronny Gomez
- Elvis Gualpa
- Mark Mccabe
- Tobenna Nnawuchi
- Sergio Perez
Project Description Heading link
The goal of this capstone project is to analyze and examine the behaviors of sign structures in Chicago through various methods including drone analysis of a created model and existing structures. This requires a three step process involving digital modeling, analysis of American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) design codes, and lab testing utilizing drone analysis and digital imagery. The model sign structures that were assembled were simple cantilevers utilizing light poles donated by the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT). To ensure the model was constructed properly, thorough research was conducted on the necessary AASHTO, Illinois Depart of Transportation (IDOT), and CDOT standards. The sign structure that was created was also modeled on SAP2000 to aid in proper analysis of collected data. The tests that were conducted on the sign structures utilized two different forms of image capturing. The first was stationary imaging, and the second was 360 degree motion capture using a camera on the lab drone. The drone used for the motion capture was the DJI Phantom Pro 4. With the imagery data combined with the SAP2000 model, vibration analysis was conducted on the sign structure configuration which determined the safety and health of the design. The goal is to ascertain viable data from this capstone which proves that drone analysis is an effective method for assessing sign structure health. With this goal in mind, the light poles donated from CDOT each already had sustained damage which provided an opportunity for the lab tests to yield results that might be seen from an unsafe sign structure in a public environment.