Method and system for remotely inspecting bridges and other structures

摘要

Spatially Integrated Small-Format Aerial Photography (SFAP) is one aspect of the present invention. It is a low-cost solution for bridge surface imaging and is proposed as a remote bridge inspection technique to supplement current bridge visual inspection. Providing top-down views, the airplanes flying at about 1000 feet can allow visualization of sub-inch (large) cracks and joint openings on bridge decks or highway pavements. On board Global Positioning System (GPS) is used to help geo-reference images collected and facilitate damage detection. Image analysis is performed to identify structural defects such as cracking. A deck condition rating technique based on large crack detection is used to quantify the condition of the existing bridge decks.

主权项

1. A computer method of inspecting a structure, comprising:
flying a fixed-wing aircraft over the structure at an altitude of between about 500 feet and 1500 feet above ground level; capturing a plurality of images of the structure using a small format digital camera being transported by the aircraft, wherein each of the images have a ground resolution of not greater than one inch; associating each of the plurality of images with unique global positioning system data; providing a computer configured for processing the images; spatially integrating the plurality of images into a composite image using the computer; and analyzing the composite image to identify structural defects using the computer; marking the identified structural defects, including by altering the appearance of the structural defects.