June 26, 2025

YDQA: Ep 110- " How Are Drones Used To Conduct Bridge Inspections?"

YDQA: Ep 110-

Ever wondered how drones are transforming the way we inspect bridges?
In this episode of Your Drone Questions Answered, host Chris Breedlove sits down with Dr. Joe Burgett from Clemson University to explore the role of drone technology in bridge inspection.


What You'll Learn:

✅ Why bridge inspections are federally mandated and critical for public safety
✅ The difference between routine inspections and detailed inspections 
✅ How drones eliminate the need for dangerous "Snooper trucks" and keep inspectors safe 
✅ Two different approaches: expensive enterprise drones vs. multiple affordable units 
✅ Real challenges of flying under bridges (GPS loss, wind, wildlife, fishing lines!) 
✅ The future of digital twins for comprehensive bridge documentation 
✅ How South Carolina DOT trained their entire bridge inspection team


Connect with Joe:

Joe's Bio: https://www.clemson.edu/caac/about/facultybio.html?id=1805

SCiDUC: https://www.sciduc.org/