A Framework for Field Inspection Support Systems Applied to Bridge Inspection

Inspection activities, such as bridge inspection, are still mostly done using a paper-based forms. However, with recent advances in computer technology, where the hardware is getting smaller in size, yet more powerful, computer systems are being employed and used in the field to help inspectors collect inspection information. In order to provide useful and practical computing support for inspectors in the field performing inspection activities, a computer system for supporting these inspectors has to be designed and customized to recognize the specific inspection task being performed and the context of the inspection. Unfortunately, the development of field inspection support systems is both difficult and time consuming since it suffers from a lack of generality, such that effort is wasted when implementing different applications sharing some common aspects. A framework that provides a partial solution for developing field inspection support systems was developed. This framework captures the common aspects of various field inspection activities so that the development effort of those field inspection support systems is reduced. This paper presents the application of this framework to the real world bridge inspection problems.