Use of infrared imaging for structure from motion assessment of heat loss in buildings

Alessandro Sabato; Christopher Niezrecki

doi:10.1117/12.2515077

18 March 2019 Use of infrared imaging for structure from motion assessment of heat loss in buildings

Alessandro Sabato, Christopher Niezrecki

Proceedings Volume 10973, Smart Structures and NDE for Energy Systems and Industry 4.0; 109730O (2019) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2515077
Event: SPIE Smart Structures + Nondestructive Evaluation, 2019, Denver, Colorado, United States

Abstract

Statistics released by the U.S. Department of Energy show that the buildings sector accounts for 40% of primary energy use and associated greenhouse gas emissions, making it essential to reduce their energy consumption to meet national energy, environmental, and cost reduction initiatives. One of the major areas of energy consumption in buildings are heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems; therefore, reducing heat losses in the structure can help increase the thermal performance of the building. Infrared (IR) imaging and the use of thermal cameras have been very effective for quantifying the thermal efficiency of a system and addressing damages in the structure. At the same time, improvements made in computer-based vision systems made Structure from Motion (SfM), a very promising technique for performing a visual inspection of large-sized systems or structures. SfM is photogrammetric range imaging technique that makes it possible to obtain three-dimensional (3D) renderings from a cloud of two-dimensional images. This research analyzes the feasibility of combining these two techniques to identify the locations of energy loss in buildings and residential homes from multiple perspectives enabling an autonomous inspection. In this study, a proof of concept laboratory experiment is performed. In particular, several tests are executed on a lab-scale structure representing a model home. Different levels of insulation distributed on the structure’s surface are used to determine the combined capability of SfM and IR images in creating a 3D virtual rendering of the structure that illustrates the locations of significant energy loss. Also, the possibility of embedding this system on an unmanned platform (e.g., drone) for expediting the inspection process is considered.

Citation Download Citation

Alessandro Sabato and Christopher Niezrecki "Use of infrared imaging for structure from motion assessment of heat loss in buildings", Proc. SPIE 10973, Smart Structures and NDE for Energy Systems and Industry 4.0, 109730O (18 March 2019); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2515077

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