THEME ALIGNMENT

INDUSTRY PROBLEM

Piles form crucial components of various marine structures, such as ports, docks, and offshore platforms, that support human activities and operations at sea. However, due to the harsh marine environment, piles are prone to corrosion, cracking, scouring and biofouling (buildup of attached aquatic creatures), which can compromise their structural integrity and safety. Regular inspection and maintenance are crucial to ensure their continued function and longevity. Currently, pile inspection is performed by skilled divers, which is subjective, inaccurate, time-consuming, and costly. In addition, it poses risks to the divers’ health and safety. The aim of this research project is to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a semi-autonomous underwater vehicle (S-AUV) for inspecting the state of underwater piles.