Immersive Visualization for Civil Structure Condition Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current condition assessment methods for civil engineering structures are inefficient and costly due to the need for frequent on-site visits, lack of integration with structural health monitoring data, and limited use of augmented and virtual reality technologies for decision-making.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for contactless structural analysis using a visualization platform that integrates sensorial inputs from various sensors, such as accelerometers and LiDAR scanners, to generate and display spatial models of civil structures, allowing users to interact and collaborate remotely through a multiplayer network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If on-site meetings are held for condition assessment, then experts can visually observe the structure in situ for better comprehension, but it increases time consumption, cost, and safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital replica (virtual model) of the civil structure that preserves all visual and sensorial characteristics of the original structure. Experts can interact with this copy in a virtual environment, obtaining the same diagnostic information as on-site observation without physical presence. This resolves the contradiction by providing measurement precision equivalent to in-situ observation while eliminating time loss from travel and site visits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtual reality platform as an intermediary between experts and the actual structure. This intermediary transmits all necessary visual and sensorial information from the structure to experts, enabling remote observation with the same diagnostic capability as direct observation. The intermediary eliminates the need for physical site visits while preserving measurement precision.
2Ease of operation
If on-site meetings are held for condition assessment, then experts can collaborate effectively, but it increases transportation costs and safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple experts into a shared virtual environment where they can simultaneously observe and interact with the structure's digital replica. This combination preserves collaborative effectiveness by enabling real-time interaction and discussion among all experts regardless of their physical locations. The merging eliminates the need for individual site visits, reducing transportation costs and energy consumption while maintaining full collaborative capability.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional visual inspection methods are used, then the process is simple to implement, but it lacks integration with structural health monitoring data and specialized analysis methods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal platform that integrates multiple functions: visual inspection capabilities, structural health monitoring data visualization, specialized analysis algorithms, and collaborative tools. This multi-functional system preserves ease of operation by providing a unified interface while eliminating information loss through comprehensive integration of diverse data sources and analysis methods. The platform serves multiple purposes simultaneously, from basic visual inspection to advanced structural assessment.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein relates to a system and method for assessing a condition of at least one civil structure utilizing at least one visualization platform (e.g., a Virtual Reality platform and/or an Augmented Reality platform). Additionally, in embodiments, sensorial data of the at least one civil structure may be fused within the at least one visualization platform, such that at least one spatial model based on the recorded sensorial data of the at least one civil structure may be generated. In these embodiments, at least one user may then be able to engage and/or interact with the at least one spatial model. As such, the system may be able to bring the specialized results of the at least one analyzed civil structure to at least one user on the at least one visualization platform, such that the assessment of the at least one civil structure may be optimized.