Enhanced methodology for visual bridge inspections in South Africa

Kemp, LanaSteyn, WRoux, Michael P2022-10-032022-10-032022-09Kemp, L., Steyn, W. & Roux, M.P. 2022. Enhanced methodology for visual bridge inspections in South Africa. Journal of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering, 64(3). http://hdl.handle.net/10204/124971021-20192309-8775http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2309-8775/2022/v64n3a6http://hdl.handle.net/10204/12497This paper introduces the application of technology solutions into the realm of bridge inspection methodologies in South Africa, aiming to enhance the current visual bridge inspection methodology. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) can be used as an alternative to collect bridge image data, and point cloud models can be created from captured images by using photogrammetry software. For this study, accredited bridge inspectors were approached to complete TMH 19 inspection sheets of bridge structures using only the point cloud models and captured images, as a proposed new inspection methodology. This paper compares historic inspection ratings and the point cloud inspection ratings to investigate the effectiveness and practicality of the new proposed inspection methodology. The study concluded that bridge inspectors could identify and rate critical defects of bridge structures using the new inspection methodology, but there are limitations and specific use cases that need to be identified.FulltextenVisual bridge inspections4IR technologyUnmanned aerial vehiclesUAVsPoint cloud modelsEnhanced methodology for visual bridge inspections in South AfricaArticleKemp, L., Steyn, W., & Roux, M. P. (2022). Enhanced methodology for visual bridge inspections in South Africa. Journal of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering, 64(3), http://hdl.handle.net/10204/12497Kemp, Lana, W Steyn, and Michael P Roux "Enhanced methodology for visual bridge inspections in South Africa." Journal of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering, 64(3) (2022) http://hdl.handle.net/10204/12497Kemp L, Steyn W, Roux MP. Enhanced methodology for visual bridge inspections in South Africa. Journal of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering, 64(3). 2022; http://hdl.handle.net/10204/12497.TY - Article AU - Kemp, Lana AU - Steyn, W AU - Roux, Michael P AB - This paper introduces the application of technology solutions into the realm of bridge inspection methodologies in South Africa, aiming to enhance the current visual bridge inspection methodology. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) can be used as an alternative to collect bridge image data, and point cloud models can be created from captured images by using photogrammetry software. For this study, accredited bridge inspectors were approached to complete TMH 19 inspection sheets of bridge structures using only the point cloud models and captured images, as a proposed new inspection methodology. This paper compares historic inspection ratings and the point cloud inspection ratings to investigate the effectiveness and practicality of the new proposed inspection methodology. The study concluded that bridge inspectors could identify and rate critical defects of bridge structures using the new inspection methodology, but there are limitations and specific use cases that need to be identified. DA - 2022-09 DB - ResearchSpace DO - 10.17159/2309-8775/2022/v64n3a6 DP - CSIR J1 - Journal of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering, 64(3) KW - Visual bridge inspections KW - 4IR technology KW - Unmanned aerial vehicles KW - UAVs KW - Point cloud models LK - https://researchspace.csir.co.za PY - 2022 SM - 1021-2019 SM - 2309-8775 T1 - Enhanced methodology for visual bridge inspections in South Africa TI - Enhanced methodology for visual bridge inspections in South Africa UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10204/12497 ER -26054