A. Ribeiro

Dimensional field testing of an optical measurement system in a long-span suspension bridge

The dimensional field testing activity described in this paper allowed measuring the vertical and transverse dynamic displacement related to the main span (with a dimension equal to 1012 meters) central section of a long-span suspension bridge – the 25th of April Bridge (P25A), in Lisbon (Portugal) – using an optical system composed by high focal length lens (600 mm), digital image sensor and active infrared LED targets. Maximum values of 0,53 m and 0,29 m were obtained for the vertical and transverse displacements without rail traffic on the P25A. Passenger train circulation on the bridge’s lower rail deck increased the vertical displacement up to 1,69 m. The applied measuring system was subjected to an in situ calibration procedure (SI traceable), showing maximum deviations close to 1,3 mm with an expanded measurement uncertainty (in a 95% confidence interval) around 3,0 mm, in a favorable observation scenario (winter season with low vertical thermal gradient in the atmosphere). Field studies of optical phenomena such as atmospheric refraction and beam wandering effect by turbulence were also performed, aiming the validation of developed refraction correction models and the quantification of targets image coordinates dispersions (0,13 pixel in winter season a 0,56 pixel during summer season).

Intrinsic parameterization of a computational optical system for long-distance displacement structural monitoring

Abstract. We aim at the intrinsic parameterization of a computational optical system applied in long-distance displacement measurement of large-scale structures. In this structural-monitoring scenario, the observation distance established between the digital camera and reference targets, which is composed of the computational optical system, can range from 100 up to 1000 m, requiring the use of long-focal length lenses in order to obtain a suitable sensitivity for the three-dimensional displacement measurement of the observed structure which can be of reduced magnitude. Intrinsic parameterization of long-focal length cameras is an emergent issue since conventional approaches applied for reduced focal length cameras are not suitable mainly due to ill-conditioned matrices in least squares estimation procedures. We describe the intrinsic parameterization of a long-focal length camera (600 mm) by the diffractive optical element method and present the obtained estimates and measurement uncertainties, discussing their contribution for the system’s validation by calibration field test and displacement measurement campaigns in a long-span suspension bridge.

Optical measurement system applied to continuous displacement monitoring of long-span suspension bridges

This paper provides a general description of main issues related to the design of an optical measurement system applied to continuous displacement monitoring of long-span suspension bridges. The proposed system’s architecture is presented and its main components - camera and active targets - are described in terms of geometrical and radiometric characteristics required for long distance measurement of the tridimensional displacement of the stiffness girder in the middle section of the bridge’s central span. The intrinsic and extrinsic camera parameterization processes, which support the adopted measurement approach, are explained in a specific section. Since the designed measurement system is intended to perform continuous displacement monitoring in long distance observation framework, particular attention is given to environmental effects, namely, refraction, turbulence and sensor saturation phenomena, which can influence the displacement measurement accuracy. Finally, a measurement uncertainty method is discussed in order to provide a suitable solution for the determination of the accuracy related to the proposed measurement approach.