This paper describes an innovative protocol for full field mapping of a large civil structures involving effective use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to enable real time structural health monitoring. The proposed frameworks integrates UAVs, image processing and data acquisition procedures for crack detection and assessment of surface degradation. A novel approach is proposed combining hat transform and HSV thresholding technique for crack detection. In addition, grey scale thresholding is employed for the measurement of surface degradations. A Demonstration multi-rotor UAV model is developed to carry out full field inspection of civil structures and real time testing is performed in our large university campus. In order to provide sophisticated monitoring platform for users, a MATLAB Graphical User Interface (GUI) is developed to analyse real time as well as acquired images and the results are validated successfully. The obtained results confirms that, the envisaged approach is the foundation for cost effective and time compressing solution for monitoring of large civil structures

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have gained significant attention in recent times due to their suitability for a wide variety of civil, military, and societal missions. Development of an unmanned amphibious vehicle integrating the features of a multi-rotor UAV and a hovercraft is the focus of the present study. Components and subsystems of the amphibious vehicle are developed with due consideration for aerodynamic, structural, and environmental aspects. Finite element analysis (FEA) on static thrust conditions and skirt pressure are performed to evaluate the strength of the structure. For diverse wind conditions and angles of attack (AOA), computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis is carried out to assess the effect of drag and suitable design modification is suggested. A prototype is built with a 7 kg payload capacity and successfully tested for stable operations in flight and water-borne modes. Internet of things (IoT) based water quality measurement is performed in a typical lake and water quality is measured using pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), turbidity, and electrical conductivity (EC) sensors. The developed vehicle is expected to meet functional requirements of disaster missions catering to the water quality monitoring of large water bodies.

This paper studies the experimental and exergy analysis of solar still with the sand heat energy storage system. The cumulative yield from solar still with

Quadcopters represent rotary wing configuration of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) with immense application potential in industrial and strategic contexts. Tradeoff between flight endurance and payload capacity renders design optimization of UAVs a critical activity with substantial impact on the application possibilities. Among the structural parts of a typical Quadcopter, the central body frame constitutes major portion of the total weight. The present study aims at reduction of the frame weight while conforming with structural integrity requirements, through an integrated approach involving topology optimization, part consolidation and design for additive manufacturing (DFAM). Commercial UAV designs consist of multiple parts and fastening elements that necessitate considerable time and effort for assembly. This study reengineers the frame as a monocoque structure with desirable outcomes of weight reduction and less assembly time. The reengineered Quadcopter structure is manufactured through Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) and characterized with reference to structural, vibrational and fatigue characteristics. Concomitant application of modal analysis, computational fluid dynamics and wind tunnel testing reveals close match between theoretical estimates and experimental results. Assembly and field trials of the monocoque Quadcopter structure affirm betterment of operational superiority and endurance vis-a-vis commercial UAV designs.