Application of a vision system to the monitoring of cable structures

Abstract

The current paper describes the development and implementation of a vision system in the context of the monitoring of a cable-stayed bridge, discussing the major requirements, the cost of the instruments, the particular aspects of the developed image processing algorithms, the integration in a conventional monitoring system and the results of application to the International Guadiana Bridge in Portugal. This innovative system is shown to constitute a very useful complement to a conventional monitoring system whenever cable measurements are required, allowing not only for the identification of the lower order natural frequencies of these elements, but also for the detection of the start-stop of vibration events and corresponding conditions.