To quantitatively evaluate crack width of concrete structures surface, this paper presents a stereovision-based crack width detection method. Compared with the traditional visual inspection with single camera, this approach uses a pair of cameras to capture cracks images for recovering 3D coordinates of crack edge, and does not needs scale attached to concrete surface for converting measurement unit. A novel Canny-Zernike combination algorithm is utilized to obtain the image coordinates of crack edge in the left crack image, this combination algorithm can achieve 0.02 subpixel precision. The 3D coordinates of crack edge are acquired by projecting crack edge curve on concrete surface where cracks are located. The crack width is assessed by the minimum distance between two sides of crack edge. The detection tests are conducted on three concrete beams destroyed in static test, and the crack width of two inspection zones on each beam is acquired. Experimental results indicate that the stereovision-based crack width detection approach can accurately measure the crack width compared with the crack width gauge or the vernier calliper. This verifies the proposed method is applicable and useful for assessing the crack width of concrete surface.
For long-term monitoring of the midspan deflection of Songjiazhuang cloverleaf junction on 309 national roads in Zibo city, this paper proposes Zhang’s calibration-based DIC deflection monitoring method. CCD cameras are used to track the change of targets’ position, Zhang’s calibration algorithm is introduced to acquire the intrinsic and extrinsic parameters of CCD cameras, and the DIC method is combined with Zhang’s calibration algorithm to measure bridge deflection. The comparative test between Zhang’s calibration and scale calibration is conducted in lab, and experimental results indicate that the proposed method has higher precision. According to the deflection monitoring scheme, the deflection monitoring software for Songjiazhuang cloverleaf junction is developed by MATLAB, and a 4-channel CCD deflection monitoring system for Songjiazhuang cloverleaf junction is integrated in this paper. This deflection monitoring system includes functions such as image preview, simultaneous collection, camera calibration, deflection display, and data storage. In situ deflection curves show a consistent trend; this suggests that the proposed method is reliable and is suitable for the long-term monitoring of bridge deflection.
24 March 2018 in Structural Control and Health Monitoring
The Y-shape (triangular) semi-submersible foundation has been adopted by most of the built full-scale floating wind turbines, such as Windfloat, Fukushima Mirai and Shimpuu. Considering the non-fully-symmetrical shape and met-ocean condition, the foundation laying angle relative to wind/wave directions will not only influence the downtime and power efficiency of the floating turbine, but also the strength and fatigue safety of the whole structure. However, the dynamic responses induced by various aligned wind and wave load directions have scarcely been investigated comparatively before. In our study, the directionality effects are investigated by means of combined wind and wave tests and coupled multi-body simulations. By comparing the measured data in three load directions, it is found that the differences of platform motions are mainly derived from the wave loads and larger pitch motion can always be observed in one of the directions. To make certain the mechanism underlying the observed phenomena, a coupled multi-body dynamic model of the floating wind turbine is established and validated. The numerical results demonstrate that the second-order hydrodynamic forces contribute greatly to the directionality distinctions for surge and pitch, and the first-order hydrodynamic forces determine the variations of tower base bending moments and nacelle accelerations. These findings indicate the directionality effects should be predetermined comprehensively before installation at sea, which is important for the operation and maintenance of the Y-shape floating wind turbines.