Work

Segment-based adaptive neighborhood orthogonal projection method for automatic complex concrete crack width measurement

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Accurate measurement of crack width in concrete structures was critical for structural performance assessment and the development of effective repair strategies. Existing methods faced significant limitations in handling complex crack morphologies, often resulting in measurement inaccuracies. To address this issue, a segment-based adaptive neighborhood orthogonal projection method was proposed for the quantitative analysis of concrete crack images. The applicability of the method was evaluated using both real and synthetic cracks. This approach offered three key advantages: (1) systematic measurement capability along the entire crack length; (2) strong adaptability to boundary irregularities; and (3) a fully automated processing workflow without the need for manual intervention. The results indicated that the proposed method accurately identified both the location and magnitude of the maximum crack width in real concrete cracks, with errors of only 1.19% and 3.07% for meandering and complex reticulated cracks, respectively. Moreover, through the evaluation of synthetic cracks, the method demonstrated excellent accuracy and robustness, with maximum crack width measurement errors for multi-branch cracks, complex intersecting cracks, and ring-shaped intersecting cracks all remaining within ±2%. In addition, the proposed method outperformed conventional approaches in multi-point measurements on synthetic cracks, achieving a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.97. These findings highlighted the method’s significant advantages in quantifying and assessing the severity of complex cracks in concrete, offering an effective solution for automated crack width measurement.

Source: Results in Engineering

DOI: 10.1016/j.rineng.2025.108020

Authors: Xiaoda Li, Zeyuan Zeng, Xingpei Wu, Xiangrong Zou, Zongchao Liu

Institutions: Guangzhou University, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Guangzhou Railway Polytechnic

Language: English

Topic: Infrastructure Maintenance and Monitoring

Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,940