Measuring Vibrations in Large Structures with Laser-Doppler Vibrometry and Unmanned Aerial Systems: A Review and Outlook

Rembe, C; Halkon, BJ; Ismail, MAA

Measuring Vibrations in Large Structures with Laser-Doppler Vibrometry and Unmanned Aerial Systems: A Review and Outlook

Rembe, C Halkon, BJ Ismail, MAA

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Publisher:: AMER ASSOC ADVANCEMENT SCIENCE
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Advanced Devices and Instrumentation, 2025, 6
Issue Date:: 2025-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Rembe, C
dc.contributor.author	Halkon, BJ
dc.contributor.author	Ismail, MAA
dc.date.accessioned	2026-02-04T05:41:59Z
dc.date.available	2026-02-04T05:41:59Z
dc.date.issued	2025-01-01
dc.identifier.citation	Advanced Devices and Instrumentation, 2025, 6
dc.identifier.issn	2767-9713
dc.identifier.issn	2767-9713
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/192981
dc.description.abstract	Vibrations in large structures such as buildings, dams, cranes, plants, drilling platforms, bridges, and wind turbines are often difficult to measure because, among other reasons, it is challenging or even impossible to attach suitable vibration sensors to all the positions/locations of interest. Optical, noncontact measurements from the ground, conversely, are only possible for the visibly accessible parts and often require long measurement distances or unfavorable viewing angles from the ground due to the vertical extent of the location of interest on the large structure. Employing noncontact vibration measurement methods from or via an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is preferable for many applications and is, therefore, becoming an increasingly interesting research topic around the world. This paper reviews the current state of the art for measuring and analyzing vibration in large structures with laser-Doppler vibrometry (LDVy) supported by unmanned aerial systems (UASs)—which employ one or more UAVs and associated ground-based control equipment—and related topics, including excitation as well as data collection, transfer, processing, and interpretation. The review includes a brief overview of vibration-determined damage detection in large mechanical and civil structures, associated nondestructive testing (NDT) sensor technologies including in particular LDVy, UAV technology, and other NDT measurements supported by UASs with a focus on LDVy as the preferred vibration sensor technology. Ultimately, following the presentation of the state of the art, we discuss some of the currently foreseen challenges for implementing LDVy with UASs for operational stability analysis of large structures and the currently addressed and possible future research topics required to maximize the benefit of this exciting system integration opportunity.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	AMER ASSOC ADVANCEMENT SCIENCE
dc.relation.ispartof	Advanced Devices and Instrumentation
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.34133/adi.0103
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.title	Measuring Vibrations in Large Structures with Laser-Doppler Vibrometry and Unmanned Aerial Systems: A Review and Outlook
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	6
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups/Transport Research Centre (TRC)
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups/Centre for Audio, Acoustics and Vibration (CAAV)
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups/Human Performance Research Centre (HPRC)
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups/Transport Research Centre (TRC)/Transport Research Centre (TRC) Associate Members
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2026-02-04T05:41:57Z
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	6

Abstract:

Vibrations in large structures such as buildings, dams, cranes, plants, drilling platforms, bridges, and wind turbines are often difficult to measure because, among other reasons, it is challenging or even impossible to attach suitable vibration sensors to all the positions/locations of interest. Optical, noncontact measurements from the ground, conversely, are only possible for the visibly accessible parts and often require long measurement distances or unfavorable viewing angles from the ground due to the vertical extent of the location of interest on the large structure. Employing noncontact vibration measurement methods from or via an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is preferable for many applications and is, therefore, becoming an increasingly interesting research topic around the world. This paper reviews the current state of the art for measuring and analyzing vibration in large structures with laser-Doppler vibrometry (LDVy) supported by unmanned aerial systems (UASs)—which employ one or more UAVs and associated ground-based control equipment—and related topics, including excitation as well as data collection, transfer, processing, and interpretation. The review includes a brief overview of vibration-determined damage detection in large mechanical and civil structures, associated nondestructive testing (NDT) sensor technologies including in particular LDVy, UAV technology, and other NDT measurements supported by UASs with a focus on LDVy as the preferred vibration sensor technology. Ultimately, following the presentation of the state of the art, we discuss some of the currently foreseen challenges for implementing LDVy with UASs for operational stability analysis of large structures and the currently addressed and possible future research topics required to maximize the benefit of this exciting system integration opportunity.

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