Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Assisted Assessment of Cable-Stayed Bridge Slant Cables and Piers: Methods and Applications

This study focuses on the structural integrity assessment of the slant cables and piers of the Damen Bridge in Wenzhou City using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology. By integrating rotary-wing UAVs, high-resolution cameras, and other advanced inspection equipment, we achieved a comprehensive inspection of critical structural components of the bridge. During the inspection process, each slant cable was subdivided to ensure complete image capture. Additionally, high-definition videos of the piers were recorded from various angles using UAVs. Through the analysis of these high-quality imaging data, a total of 141 structural defects were identified, including 117 in the slant cables and 24 in the piers. Furthermore, advanced image processing and data analysis techniques were applied to analyze the captured data in detail, accurately pinpointing the specific locations and nature of the defects. The results of this study not only demonstrate the effectiveness of UAVs and digital imaging technology in bridge inspection and maintenance but also provide crucial technical support for the long-term stability and safe operation of the bridge. Additionally, our methodology holds significant reference value for similar large-scale bridge health monitoring, offering new perspectives for future bridge maintenance strategies.