Steel and Composite Structures

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Experimental investigation of bridges using targetless computer vision

  • Nuzhat H. Kabir (Zachry Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Texas A&M University) ;
  • Matthew Stieglitz (HNTB) ;
  • Stefan Hurlebaus (Zachry Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Texas A&M University) ;
  • Tevfik Terzioglu (Parsons Transportation Group) ;
  • Stephanie G. Paal (Zachry Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Texas A&M University) ;
  • Mary Beth D. Hueste (Zachry Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Texas A&M University) ;
  • John B. Mander (Zachry Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Texas A&M University)
  • Received : 2024.05.16
  • Accepted : 2024.10.13
  • Published : 2024.12.10
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Abstract

A non-contact, targetless approach to determine the deflection of bridges using consumer grade video cameras is presented. A total of four bridges (two concrete bridges and two steel bridges) were selected for load testing, based on typical characteristics of load posted bridges in Texas. Each bridge was instrumented using strain gauges, string potentiometers, and accelerometers to measure the response of the bridge during various load tests. In addition to these conventional measuring devices, two cameras mounted on a tripod were used to record the bridge response during each load test. An image analysis algorithm was applied to determine the displacements from the unloaded bridge image and loaded bridge image. These tests demonstrated that computer vision has the potential to measure deflections during bridge load testing without the need for targets. This method provides an efficient alternative for field evaluation that eliminates the need to instrument the bridge, which can be a time-consuming process, especially when access is restricted.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This research was performed in cooperation with TxDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) as part of TxDOT Project 0-6955, which was administered through the Texas A&M Transportation Institute. The authors appreciate the support and guidance of all TxDOT personnel involved in the project, particularly Graham Bettis, James Kuhr, Jesus Alvarez, Jonathan Boleware, Aaron Garza, Courtney Holle, Curtis Rokicki, Anthony Garcia, and Carlos Neveu. The contents of this paper reflect the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official view or policies of FHWA or TxDOT.

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