Documentation of Bridge Inspection Projects Using Virtual Reality Approach

Recent research has revealed that the nondestructive evaluation technique used most often to assess the physical condition of a bridge is visual inspection. During a routine visual inspection, observations and/or measurements are made and then recorded by means of field sketches, written descriptions, and site photographs. This information is ultimately entered into a bridge management system where it is maintained and used to make decisions regarding future maintenance, rehabilitation, or replacement of the bridge. Recognizing the importance of such documentation, this paper reports on the use of QuickTime Virtual Reality (QTVR) for recording and managing information normally collected during a routine inspection. With this technology, bridge inspection projects can be documented in an interactive, virtual reality format and supplement customary inspection reports. The specific details related to QTVR development (including field procedures and multimedia techniques) as applied to various bridge inspection projects are discussed in this paper. The study concludes with a discussion of the potential impact of the QTVR technology in bridge inspection.