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Structure-from-motion algorithm fused with real-time kinematic location information and improved YOLOv11 network for bridge tower damage recognition method

delete2026-07-02
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PRE
AI
X
Xinfeng Yin
Y
Yong Zhou *
Z
Zhi Zeng
L
Linsong Wu
DOI:10.1080/15732479.2026.2695400delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
The rapid advancement of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) technologies has created new opportunities and challenges for bridge tower inspection. This study proposes a damage identification method that integrates RTK-enhanced Structure-from-Motion (SfM) with an optimised neural network to improve structural assessment of bridge towers. First, a two-dimensional virtual flight path is generated using RTK positioning and virtual projection to guide UAV-based image acquisition. The RTK positional data are then incorporated into the SfM pipeline via the Umeyama and Bundle Adjustment (BA) algorithms to enhance 3D reconstruction accuracy. The four flight parameters are systematically optimised through 16 cross-experiments and eight factor quality analyses. The test bridge model, which uses reconfigured, optimised flight parameters, achieves millimeter-scale accuracy and produces millimeter-resolution images, improving YOLOv11 neural network recognition. Experimental results show that the median position error of the projection centre point of the experimental bridge image is 11.07 mm, and the average Ground Sampling Distance (GSD) resolution is 1.02 mm/pixel. Compared with the original YOLOv11 model, the improved model achieves increases of 3.9%, 1.3%, 1.0%, and 2.5% in accuracy, recall, mAP@50, and mAP50-95, respectively. Compared with the traditional bridge-tower detection method, the proposed UAV-based non-contact approach offers higher accuracy and efficiency.
Keywords:
Damage recognition
virtual projection
three-dimensional reconstruction
real-time kinematic
structure from motion
flight parameter optimisation
improved YOLO v11

Journal

Structure and Infrastructure Engineering cover
Structure and Infrastructure Engineering
IF:
2.6
Papers:
451
Citations:
5.3K

Organization

C
changsha university of science and technology
Scholars:
2.7K
Papers: 1.0K
Citations: 0
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