Lu Deng , Cheng Zhang , Weiqi Mao , Feng Zhang , Lizhi Long , Hao Dai , Jingjing Guo
{"title":"UAV-assisted bridge alignment measurement using enhanced small target detection and adaptive ellipse fitting","authors":"Lu Deng , Cheng Zhang , Weiqi Mao , Feng Zhang , Lizhi Long , Hao Dai , Jingjing Guo","doi":"10.1016/j.autcon.2025.106258","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Prefabricated bridges are preferred in modern construction for their rapid assembly, cost-efficiency, and minimal environmental impact. However, traditional alignment methods, such as total stations and levels, are time-consuming and labor-intensive. This paper proposes a UAV-based alignment measurement system using artificial markers for vertical alignment in prefabricated bridges. The key contributions include: (1) a high-precision UAV system framework based on overlapping marker centers and point lattice stitching; (2) a YOLOv8-based detection network, YOLO-USMD, for precise marker identification in aerial images; and (3) a Dynamic Adaptive Multi-Scale Ellipse Detection (DAMSED) algorithm to improve marker detection in complex images. Field experiments on a prefabricated steel-concrete bridge demonstrated that the proposed method achieved a root mean square error (RMSE) of 2.84 mm for a 30 m range, proving its effectiveness for accurate and efficient alignment assessment in bridge construction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8660,"journal":{"name":"Automation in Construction","volume":"176 ","pages":"Article 106258"},"PeriodicalIF":9.6000,"publicationDate":"2025-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Automation in Construction","FirstCategoryId":"5","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0926580525002985","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"CONSTRUCTION & BUILDING TECHNOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Prefabricated bridges are preferred in modern construction for their rapid assembly, cost-efficiency, and minimal environmental impact. However, traditional alignment methods, such as total stations and levels, are time-consuming and labor-intensive. This paper proposes a UAV-based alignment measurement system using artificial markers for vertical alignment in prefabricated bridges. The key contributions include: (1) a high-precision UAV system framework based on overlapping marker centers and point lattice stitching; (2) a YOLOv8-based detection network, YOLO-USMD, for precise marker identification in aerial images; and (3) a Dynamic Adaptive Multi-Scale Ellipse Detection (DAMSED) algorithm to improve marker detection in complex images. Field experiments on a prefabricated steel-concrete bridge demonstrated that the proposed method achieved a root mean square error (RMSE) of 2.84 mm for a 30 m range, proving its effectiveness for accurate and efficient alignment assessment in bridge construction.
期刊介绍:
Automation in Construction is an international journal that focuses on publishing original research papers related to the use of Information Technologies in various aspects of the construction industry. The journal covers topics such as design, engineering, construction technologies, and the maintenance and management of constructed facilities.
The scope of Automation in Construction is extensive and covers all stages of the construction life cycle. This includes initial planning and design, construction of the facility, operation and maintenance, as well as the eventual dismantling and recycling of buildings and engineering structures.