Algorithm for Automated Severity Assessment of Cracks in Simply Supported Bridge Beams Using UAV-Based Video Analysis

Automated inspection of concrete bridge components is crucial for timely maintenance and safety. This paper presents
an algorithm for automated crack severity assessment in simply supported bridge beams using UAV-based video analysis. The
proposed method integrates deep learning for crack detection with image processing techniques to measure crack dimensions and
introduces a novel severity metric that combines the crack’s mean width with its location along the beam. This addresses a gap in
existing approaches which typically evaluate crack severity only by width or length, without considering structural context.