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An Image-based Algorithm for Automatic Detection of Loosened Bolts
* 1, 2 , 1, 2 , 3, 4 , 1, 2
1  Faculty of Civil Engineering, Duy Tan University, 03 Quang Trung, Hai Chau, Danang 550000, Viet Nam
2  Center for Construction, Mechanics and Materials, Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, 03 Quang Trung, Hai Chau, Danang 550000, Viet Nam
3  Faculty of Civil Engineering, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), 268 Ly Thuong Kiet, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
4  Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM), Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc District, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Viet Nam
Academic Editor: Frank Werner

Abstract:

The bolted joint has been widely used to connect load-bearing elements in aerospace, civil, and mechanical engineering systems. During its service life, particularly under external dynamical loads, a bolted joint may undergo self-loosening. Bolt-looseness causes a reduction in the load-bearing capacity and eventually leads to the failure of the bolted joint. This paper presents an automated image-based algorithm combining the Faster RCNN model with image processing for quick detection of loosened bolts in a structural connection. The algorithm is validated using a lab-scale bolted joint model for which various bolt-loosening events are simulated. The imagery data of the joint is captured and passed through the algorithm for bolt-looseness detection. The obtained results show that the loosened bolts in the joint were well detected and their loosening degrees were precisely quantified. Therefore, the image-based algorithm is promising for real-time structural health monitoring of realistic bolted joints.

Keywords: image-based algorithm; Faster RCNN; image processing; structural health monitoring; bolted connection; bolt-looseness detection
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