Mapping Damages from Inspection Images to 3D Digital Twins of
Large-Scale Structures
Abstract
This study develops a methodology to create detailed visual Digital
Twins of large-scale structures with their realistic damages detected
from visual inspection or nondestructive testing (NDT). The methodology
is demonstrated with a transition piece of an offshore wind turbine and
a composite rotor blade, with surface paint damage and subsurface
delamination damage, respectively. Artificial Intelligence and color
threshold segmentation are used to classify and localize damages from
optical images taken by drones. These damages are digitalized and mapped
to a three-dimensional geometry reconstruction of the large-scale
structure or a CAD model of the structure. To map the images from 2D to
3D, metadata information is combined with the geo placement of the
large-scale structure’s 3D model. After mapping the damage, the Digital
Twin gives an accurate representation of the structure. The location,
shape, and size of the damage are visible on the Digital Twin. The
demonstrated methodology can be applied to industrial sectors such as
wind energy, the oil and gas industry, marine and aerospace to
facilitate asset management.