Close-Range Photogrammetric Measurement of Bridge Deformations

In this study, the use of digital close-range terrestrial photogrammetry(DCRTP) for measuring bridge deformations under dead and live load is investigated. A DCRTP system is shown to provide a non-contact, non-destructive means of measurement with the added benefits of digital photography and computer-aided photogrammetry analysis. The fundamental concepts of photogrammetric data gathering and processing are first presented followed by a review of research related to the use of close-range photogrammetry for measurement of structural deformations over the last twenty-five years. Theoretical formulas and finite element analyses were used to further validate the photogrammetry results.