Talebi, S; Wu, S; Al-Adhami, M; Shelbourn, M and Serugga, J (2022) The development of a digitally enhanced visual inspection framework for masonry bridges in the UK. Construction Innovation, 22(3), pp. 624-646. ISSN 1471-4175
Abstract
Purpose: The utilisation of emerging technologies for the inspection of bridges has remarkably increased. In particular, non-destructive testing (NDT) technologies are deemed a potential alternative for costly, labour-intensive, subjective and unsafe conventional bridge inspection regimes. This paper aims to develop a framework to overcome conventional inspection regimes' limitations by deploying multiple NDT technologies to carry out digital visual inspections of masonry railway bridges. Design/methodology/approach: This research adopts an exploratory case study approach, and the empirical data is collected through exploratory workshops, interviews and document reviews. The framework is implemented and refined in five masonry bridges as part of the UK railway infrastructure. Four NDT technologies, namely, terrestrial laser scanner, infrared thermography, 360-degree imaging and unmanned aerial vehicles, are used in this study. Findings: A digitally enhanced visual inspection framework is developed by using complementary optical methods. Compared to the conventional inspection regimes, the new approach requires fewer subjective interpretations due to the additional qualitative and quantitative analysis. Also, it is safer and needs fewer operators on site, as the actual inspection can be carried out remotely. Originality/value: This research is a step towards digitalising the inspection of bridges, and it is of particular interest to transport agencies and bridge inspectors and can potentially result in revolutionising the bridge inspection regimes and guidelines.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | 360-degree imaging; bridge monitoring; digitalisation; infrared thermography; masonry railway bridges; non-destructive testing; optical methods; terrestrial laser scanning; unmanned aerial vehicles; visual inspection |
| Index terms: | agency, quantitative analysis, laser scanning, methodology, visual inspection, infrared thermography, digitalization, interview, unmanned aerial vehicle, monitoring, emerging technology, inspection, workshop, case study, non-destructive testing |
| Subjects: | sociology, quality assurance, research methods, professional development, automation and robotics, computer vision, digital technology, analytical methods, innovation and technology management, professional practice, data analysis and analytics, data collection methods, construction type, control systems |
| Topics: | Site Management, Quality Management, Digital Applications, Construction Technology, Engineering Principles, Information Management, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here