SPATIALLY INTEGRATED AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY FOR BRIDGE, STRUCTURE, AND ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING

• US 20120033851A1
• Filed: 04/22/2011
• Published: 02/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of North Carolina At Charlotte (University of North Carolina System)
• Original Assignee: University of North Carolina At Charlotte (University of North Carolina System)
• Inventors: Chen, Shen-En, Hauser, Edwin W., Boyle, Charles G.
• Granted Patent: US 9,014,415 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/100
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10024 Color image
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10032 Satellite or aerial image; Remote sensing
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30184 Infrastructure
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/0002 Inspection of images, e.g. flaw detection

Abstract

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 ft, can allow visualization of sub-inch (large) cracks and joint openings on bridge decks or highway pavements. On board Global Positioning System is used to help geo-reference images collected and allow automated damage detection. A deck condition rating technique based on large crack detection is used to quantify the condition of the existing bridge decks.

Claims

1. A method of inspecting a bridge, the method comprising;

a. capturing an image of the bridge using a fixed-wing aircraft,

b. geo-referencing the image,

c. analyzing the image using a computer.