David Trejo

Oregon State University, Texas A&M University

Papers

Total Citations

136

H-Index

About

David Trejo is a leading researcher in the application of robotic systems for critical infrastructure assessment, with a primary focus on bridge inspection and post-disaster structural evaluation. His pioneering work has significantly advanced the use of unmanned surface and underwater vehicles for rapid, safe, and thorough damage assessment following catastrophic events. Trejo’s most influential contribution is his 2011 paper, "Robot-Assisted Bridge Inspection," which has garnered over 100 citations, establishing a foundational framework for integrating robotics into civil engineering practice. His landmark field study, "Robot-assisted bridge inspection after Hurricane Ike," documented the first-ever deployment of a custom man-portable unmanned surface vehicle (the Sea-RAI) alongside autonomous and tethered underwater vehicles to inspect the Rollover Pass bridge in the Bolivar Peninsula. This real-world validation demonstrated the viability of robotic platforms for detecting structural damage in hazardous, post-hurricane environments. Trejo’s work directly addresses the need for resilient infrastructure monitoring, reducing human risk while improving inspection accuracy. His research continues to shape the intersection of robotics and civil engineering, inspiring new methods for automated structural health monitoring in extreme conditions.