UAV-Based Remote Sensing Applications for Bridge Condition Assessment

TLDR

Bridge deterioration threatens safety and reliability, yet routine inspections are infrequent and rely on time‑consuming, subjective visual methods; UAV‑based non‑destructive testing offers faster, safer, and more cost‑effective monitoring. The study reviews UAV applications for bridge condition monitoring using remote sensing. The authors surveyed 65 papers on UAV‑based NDT, evaluating visual, infrared, LiDAR, and other sensor integrations, and compared stand‑alone versus integrated methods in terms of ease, accuracy, cost, tools, and simulation platforms. The review identifies challenges and outlines future directions for UAV‑NDT bridge monitoring.

Abstract

Deterioration of bridge infrastructure is a serious concern to transport and government agencies as it declines serviceability and reliability of bridges and jeopardizes public safety. Maintenance and rehabilitation needs of bridge infrastructure are periodically monitored and assessed, typically every two years. Existing inspection techniques, such as visual inspection, are time-consuming, subjective, and often incomplete. Non-destructive testing (NDT) using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have been gaining momentum for bridge monitoring in the recent years, particularly due to enhanced accessibility and cost efficiency, deterrence of traffic closure, and improved safety during inspection. The primary objective of this study is to conduct a comprehensive review of the application of UAVs in bridge condition monitoring, used in conjunction with remote sensing technologies. Remote sensing technologies such as visual imagery, infrared thermography, LiDAR, and other sensors, integrated with UAVs for data acquisition are analyzed in depth. This study compiled sixty-five journal and conference papers published in the last two decades scrutinizing NDT-based UAV systems. In addition to comparison of stand-alone and integrated NDT-UAV methods, the facilitation of bridge inspection using UAVs is thoroughly discussed in the present article in terms of ease of use, accuracy, cost-efficiency, employed data collection tools, and simulation platforms. Additionally, challenges and future perspectives of the reviewed UAV-NDT technologies are highlighted.