Article
Open Access
Computer vision-based displacement identification and its application to bridge condition assessment under operational conditions
1 Centre for Infrastructural Monitoring and Protection, School of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Curtin University, WA 6102, Australia
2 Earthquake Engineering Research and Test Center, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
  • Volume
  • Citation
    Peng Z, Li J, Hao H. Computer vision-based displacement identification and its application to bridge condition assessment under operational conditions. Smart Constr. 2024(1):0003, https://doi.org/10.55092/sc20240003. 
  • DOI
    10.55092/sc20240003
  • Copyright
    Copyright2024 by the authors. Published by ELSP.
Abstract

Bridge damage detection is crucial for ensuring the safety and integrity of the bridge structure. Traditional methods for damage detection often rely on manual inspections or sensor-based measurements, which can be time-consuming and costly. In recent years, computer vision techniques have shown promise in bridge displacement measurement and damage detection. The objective of this study is to extract reliable features from displacement measured with computer vision-based method that are sensitive to structural condition change while robust to the variation of operational condition. In particular, thisresearch paper presents a novel approach for bridge damage detection using an indicator defined based on the transverse influence ratio (DTIR) from computer vision-based displacement measurements. The proposed method utilizes computer vision algorithms to extract bridge girder displacement responses under moving load. The DTIR indicator, defined as the vehicle-induced bridge quasi-static displacement ratio between two adjacent girders, is extracted as the damage-sensitive feature. Theoretical derivation proves that DTIR indicator is only related to the structural condition and the transverse position of a vehicle over the deck, while independent of the variation of vehicle weight and speed. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed method, a series of drive-by experiments were performed on a multi-girder beam bridge with different structural conditions. The results demonstrated the capability of the proposed approach in accurately detecting the occurrence and possible location of structural damage. Furthermore, the paper discusses the advantages and limitations of the DTIR indicator for bridge damage detection, as well as how to generalize the proposed method to bridges with more than two traffic lanes. In conclusion, the proposed method offers a promising solution for low cost, easy deployable and scalable health monitoring solution for bridges under operating conditions.

Keywords

computer vision; bridge condition assessment; damage detection; operational condition

Preview
References
  • [1]Hao H, Bi K, Chen W, Pham TM, Li J. Towards next generation design of sustainable, durable, multi-hazard resistant, resilient, and smart civil engineering structures. Eng. Struct. 2023, 277:115477.
  • [2]Peng Z, Li J, Hao H. Structural damage detection via phase space based manifold learning under changing environmental and operational conditions. Eng. Struct. 2022, 263:114420.
  • [3]Peng Z, Li J, Hao H, Xin Y. High‐resolution time‐frequency representation for instantaneous frequency identification by adaptive Duffing oscillator. Struct. Control Health Monit. 2020, 27:e2635.
  • [4]Peng Z, Li J, Hao H, Yang N. Mobile crowdsensing framework for drive-by-based dense spatial-resolution bridge mode shape identification. Eng. Struct. 2023, 292:116515.
  • [5]Peng Z, Li J, Hao H. Data driven structural damage assessment using phase space embedding and Koopman operator under stochastic excitations. Eng. Struct. 2022, 255:113906.
  • [6]Peng Z, Li J, Hao H. Development and experimental verification of an IoT sensing system for drive-by bridge health monitoring. Eng. Struct. 2023, 293:116705.
  • [7]Deng J, Singh A, Zhou Y, Lu Y, Lee VC-S. Review on computer vision-based crack detection and quantification methodologies for civil structures. Constr. Build. Mater. 2022, 356:129238.
  • [8]Dong C-Z, Catbas FN. A review of computer vision–based structural health monitoring at local and global levels. Struct. Health Monit. 2021, 20:692-743.
  • [9]Khuc T, Catbas FN. Structural identification using computer vision–based bridge health monitoring. J. Struct. Eng. 2018, 04017202.
  • [10]Dong C-Z, Bas S, Catbas FN. Investigation of vibration serviceability of a footbridge using computer vision-based methods. Eng. Struct. 2020, 224:111224.
  • [11]Martini A, Tronci EM, Feng MQ, Leung RY. A computer vision-based method for bridge model updating using displacement influence lines. Eng. Struct. 2022, 259:114129.
  • [12]Feng D, Feng MQ. Computer vision for SHM of civil infrastructure: From dynamic response measurement to damage detection–A review. Eng. Struct. 2018, 156:105-117.
  • [13]Spencer Jr BF, Hoskere V, Narazaki Y. Advances in computer vision-based civil infrastructure inspection and monitoring. Eng. 2019, 5:199-222.
  • [14]Bhowmick S, Nagarajaiah S. Identification of full-field dynamic modes using continuous displacement response estimated from vibrating edge video. J. Sound Vib. 2020, 489:115657.
  • [15]Tan D, Li J, Hao H, Nie Z. Target-free vision-based approach for modal identification of a simply-supported bridge. Eng. Struct. 2023, 279:115586.
  • [16]Wang M, Ao WK, Bownjohn J, Xu F. Completely non-contact modal testing of full-scale bridge in challenging conditions using vision sensing systems. Eng. Struct. 2022, 272:114994.
  • [17]Feng D, Feng MQ. Vision‐based multipoint displacement measurement for structural health monitoring. Struct. Control Health Monit. 2016, 23:876-90.
  • [18]Liu C, Teng J, Peng Z. Optimal sensor placement for bridge damage detection using deflection influence line. Smart Struct. Syst. 2020, 25:169-181.
  • [19]Dong C-Z, Bas S, Catbas FN. A completely non-contact recognition system for bridge unit influence line using portable cameras and computer vision. Smart Struct. Syst. 2019, 24:617-630.
  • [20]Ge L, Koo KY, Wang M, Brownjohn J, Dan D. Bridge damage detection using precise vision-based displacement influence lines and weigh-in-motion devices: Experimental validation. Eng. Struct. 2023, 288:116185.
  • [21]Chen Z, Yang W, Li J, Yi T, Wu J, et al. Bridge influence line identification based on adaptive B‐spline basis dictionary and sparse regularization. Struct. Control Health Monit. 2019, 26:e2355.
  • [22]Feng D, Feng MQ. Model updating of railway bridge using in situ dynamic displacement measurement under trainloads. J. Bridge Eng. 2015, 20:04015019.
  • [23]Feng D, Feng MQ. Experimental validation of cost-effective vision-based structural health monitoring. Mech. Syst. Signal Process. 2017, 88:199-211.
  • [24]Peng Z, Li J, Hao H. Long-term condition monitoring of cables for in-service cable-stayed bridges using matched vehicle-induced cable tension ratios. Smart Struct. Syst. 2022, 29:167-179.
  • [25]Noble FK. Comparison of OpenCV's feature detectors and feature matchers. 2016 23rd International Conference on Mechatronics and Machine Vision in Practice (M2VIP), Nanjing, China, November 28-30, 2016, pp 1-6.
  • [26]Tan D, Ding Z, Li J, Hao H. Target-free vision-based approach for vibration measurement and damage identification of truss bridges. Smart Struct. Syst. 2023, 31:421-436.
  • [27]Zhan J, Zhang F, Siahkouhi M, Kong X, Xia H. A damage identification method for connections of adjacent box-beam bridges using vehicle–bridge interaction analysis and model updating. Eng. Struct. 2021, 228:111551.
  • [28]Han F, Dan D, Xu Z, Deng Z. A vibration-based approach for damage identification and monitoring of prefabricated beam bridges. Struct. Health Monit. 2022, 21:2010-2025.
  • [29]Jiang C, Xiong W, Wang Z, Cai C, Yang J. Transverse Connectivity and Durability Evaluation of Hollow Slab Bridges Using Surface Damage and Neural Networks: Field Test Investigation. Appl. Sci. 2023, 13:4851.
  • [30]Li S, Wei S, Bao Y, Li H. Condition assessment of cables by pattern recognition of vehicle-induced cable tension ratio. Eng. Struct. 2018, 155:1-15.