The measurements of surface defect area with an RGB-D camera for a BIM-backed bridge inspection

Abstract

Bridge inspections are a vital part of bridge maintenance and the main information source for Bridge Management Systems is used in decision-making regarding repairs. Without a doubt, both can benefit from the implementation of the Building Information Modelling philosophy. To fully harness the BIM potential in this area, we have to develop tools that will provide inspection accurate information easily and fast. In this paper, we present an example of how such a tool can utilise tablets coupled with the latest generation RGB-D cameras for data acquisition; how these data can be processed to extract the defect surface area and create a 3D representation, and finally embed this information into the BIM model. Additionally, the study of depth sensor accuracy is presented along with surface area accuracy tests and an exemplary inspection of a bridge pillar column.