Developing an Optical Image-Based Method for Bridge Deformation Measurement Considering Camera Motion

Since deformation estimation may lead to errors occurring when the camera vibrates, it is necessary to remove the image global motion before computing real bridge deformation. In this study, a combination of image motion correction algorithm and 2D image-based deformation measurement technique was utilized to address the issue of camera motion during the image data acquisition for bridge deformation measurement. Based on the proposed methodology, the image motion parameters were estimated by defining an effective sub-image in the image and using Iterative Affine Motion Estimator. Then the estimated parameters were applied to all pixels of each captured image to remove the motion effect. Finally, the corrected images were used to analyze by a 2D image-based deformation measurement technique in order to extract and measure real bridge deformation by tracking artificial or natural targets. The proposed methodology was validated by two experiments in the lab and field environments. Achieved results show the accuracy and reliability of the proposed methodology.