Performance Evaluation of Uncooled UAV Infrared Camera in Detecting Concrete Delamination

Concrete delamination detection using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-mounted infrared cameras has proved effective in recent research. However, most studies used expensive research-grade and proprietary software to acquire images, which is hard implement state departments of transportation (DOTs) due the lack specialty professionals. Some DOTs started deploying lightweight UAV-based consumer-grade for detection. Quantitative performance evaluation such a camera concrete lacking. To fill this gap, study intends conduct comprehensive assessment benchmarked against results see practicality small low-cost Data was collected slab with mimicked two in-service bridge decks. For case slab, maximum detectability 70–72% achieved. A transient numerical simulation conducted provide supplemental noise-free dataset explore accuracy peaks throughout day. The decks indicated that provided adequate locations suspected delamination. Results both were comparable those camera.