12. Application of Image Processing Techniques for Analyzing Strength of Concrete Structures—A Novel Approach

Generally, a myriad of reasons leads to the falling apart of concrete structures over time creating unsafe situations in the environment. The circumvention of this problem requires recurring and constant evaluation involving the utilization of simple and efficient tools for the surveillance of structural health allowing for the early detection of threatening changes that have occurred over time in these structures that may pose as unsafe to the environment using not only empirical data but also data collected in real time. Surveillance of structural health is dynamic for the efficient functioning and complete safety of significant civil structures throughout their stipulated time as well as thereafter. Visual inspection is traditionally way being used for the evaluation of structural wellness, performing a thorough inspection and evaluation, allows for the extraction of enough details that can be linked in an array of strategies when assessing structure integrity. In this study, an attempt has been made to present the applications of image processing techniques for analyzing the strength of concrete structures. The study explains in detail about the Complex, laborious and costly problems in civil engineering primarily related to the strength of concrete structures that could be solved through employment of various image processing methods. Towards the end, it has been concluded that the image processing technique is capable enough to solve complex problems related to the structural health monitoring and accordingly the prevention measures could be taken by various stakeholders associated with this field to improve the utility of the structures.