PSI - Issue 59

Leonid Lobanov et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 59 (2024) 43–49 Leonid Lobanov et al. / Structural Integrity Procedia 00 (2019) 000 – 000

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remote inspection of objects using unmanned aerial vehicles, described by Falorca et al. (2021), and Mattar and Kalai (2018). A priority application of this method is the quality assessment of large-sized structures. It is performed to reveal the possible drawbacks, defects and potentially problematic zones, which require maintenance. Assessment of the state of such infrastructures requires a thorough inspection and identifying possible problems with minimal interruptions in service. Large-sized metal structures are always sensitive to environmental and intensive in-service influences, which may lead to the development of corrosion and cracking, as well as other material defects. Such defect detection becomes critical to ensure safety. Large-sized structures are particularly vulnerable during combat operations, as they are in the zone of potential damage from shelling. In this case, the initiation and distribution of defects become random, and it requires other approaches to detect the damaged areas. Diagnostics by traditional methods require the involvement of professional climbers and receiving appropriate permissions to work on-site. Quite often, there are limited access areas, which reduces the effectiveness of damage detection. However, there is a potential solution to overcome the above difficulties. This is the application of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), highlighted by Lobanov et al. (2023). One of the tasks of UAV application is location-based identification and documentation of the anticipated damaged element of the structure. Note that even when using this technology, the presence of qualified engineers on site will continue to play an important role in the fulfilment of inspection tasks. As real-time detection of some defects is a challenge, they have to be confirmed and examined multiple times. Therefore, successful inspection requires the participation of experienced specialists in non destructive testing. 2. Examination procedure The paper presents the results of the inspection of the Kyiv TV tower, which was hit in an enemy missile attack on March 1, 2022 (Fig. 1). The Kyiv TV tower, an all-welded metal spatial high lattice structure of 380 m height, built in 1968 – 1973, at the time of its erection was the highest free-standing lattice construction in the world, confirmed by Lobanov et al. (2013) and Demyanov et al. (2005). Considering that the E.O. Paton Electric Welding Institute of the NAS of Ukraine was one of the authors of the project of this unique engineering construction, the Institute specialists were also involved in the examination and assessment of the technical condition of the tower metal structures.

Fig. 1. General view of the tower metal elements, which were to be examined after the missile attack.