Inspection of Concrete Bridge Structures: Case Study Comparing Conventional Techniques with a Virtual Reality Approach
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 26, Issue 10
Abstract
Recent high-profile collapses coupled with an aging bridge stock, increased loading, and the pressures of climate change have led to a greater focus on bridge management by policymakers. To prevent any negative socioeconomic impacts, timely inspection of bridges becomes of prime importance. Visual inspection is standard practice around the world but is subjective in nature and is influenced by many factors that can affect the accuracy of results and future decisions. The research presented here critically compares the conventional visual inspection approach with a virtual reality (VR) inspection technique that combines Lidar and VR, applied for the first time to bridges made of reinforced concrete. Inspection of the Mancunian Way, an elevated motorway in Manchester, UK, is performed by the conventional visual approach and the VR approach. Digital virtual twins of the bridge are developed. Lidar is used to capture a 3D image of the geometric surface of the bridge incorporating all its defects. The image is postprocessed and a VR application is created using Unity, a software development kit, for inspection of bridges in an immersive 3D virtual environment. The resulting VR app is evaluated subjectively by conducting a critical comparison between both methods. The results demonstrate promising improvements over the conventional inspection technique. It is intended that this research will benefit civil engineers in inspecting bridges as well as policymakers who may revise bridge inspection codes and procedures.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the School of Engineering at the University of Manchester for providing funding to Mr. Muhammad Omer to carry out his Ph.D. research and also for arranging all the hardware and software for this research project. Lee Margetts was supported by EPSRC grant EP/N026136/1.
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Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 26 • Issue 10 • October 2021
Copyright
© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Apr 22, 2020
Accepted: May 3, 2021
Published online: Aug 2, 2021
Published in print: Oct 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Jan 2, 2022
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