Abstract
Finding efficient and less expensive techniques for different aspects of culvert inspection is in great demand. This study assesses the potential of infrared thermography (IRT) to detect the presence of cavities in the soil around a culvert, specifically for cavities adjacent to the pipe of galvanized culverts. To identify cavities, we analyze thermograms, generated via long pulse thermography, using absolute thermal contrast, principal components thermography, and a statistical approach along with a combination of different pre- and post-processing algorithms. Using several experiments, we evaluate the performance of IRT for accomplishing the given task. Empirical results show a promising future for the application of this approach in culvert inspection. The size and location of cavities are among the aspects that can be extracted from analyzing thermograms. The key finding of this research is that the proposed approach can provide useful information about a certain type of problem around a culvert pipe which may indicate the early stage of the cavity formation. Becoming aware of this process in earlier stages will certainly help to prevent any costly incidents later.
Highlights
A culvert is a type of structure mostly located under roadways, embankments, and service areas
The presence of a cavity is evident in the processed thermograms, further investigation was made through absolute thermal contrast (ATC) which is a quantitative approach
This study aimed to assess the potential of Infrared thermography (IRT) as a complementary approach to identify the presence of cavities in a certain type of culvert
Summary
A culvert is a type of structure mostly located under roadways, embankments, and service areas. They are designed to allow the passage of water (including perennial, intermittent, and ephemeral stream) under a road at stream crossings. Some culverts are used to allow pedestrians, cyclists or vehicles to cross the road, whereas some others allow fish [1] and other wildlife [2] to pass through. Cavities may appear around culverts due to various reasons, including direct contact with water and its flow, soil acidity problems, and vibration. Pockets of air or water can form at any areas around the culvert. The presence of cavities weakens the culvert’s structure, and increases the risk of collapse and relevant incidents which can be costly and fatal. Detecting cavities at early stages can play a crucial role in any incident prevention plan
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