Range Image-Aided Edge Line Estimation for Dimensional Inspection of Precast Bridge Slab Using Point Cloud Data
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Dear authors,
you work is a fine contribution. It has only two drawbacks:
1) you write very often that you method outperforms the laser scanning method because you do not have to align the measurements to the as-designed model and this is the reason to use the range images. There are also possibilities to use the laser scans directly or indirectly without aligning it to the as-designed model. You win in accuracy is mainly because you are not aligning to the given model (not because of the range images). It would be great to mention this, also with respect to more literature.
2) You need to enlarge you literature review because that you will see your method with new eyes, I assume. I propose Truong-Hong & Lindenbergh (2022) in Automation in Construction. Segmentation (the most important thing) is highlighted here. Please have a look in the references there, too. With resepct to segmentation you may also have a look in Yang et al. (2021) in Remote Sensing, also if they do not deal with bridges.
If you consider tis two mremarks everything should be fine.
Nothing to comment
Author Response
Thansk for your comments. Please find the attached file for detials.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
The paper analyses aspects related to the improvement of the quality of constructions built from prefabricated elements. In this context, the paper analyses the precision of the precast slabs used in the construction of bridges. The problem is topical in the context of the need of quality and reliability structures improvement and waste decreasing.
These prefabricated elements are analyzed with the help of four-dimensional parameters: dimensions, straightness, squareness and twist. Each parameter must fall within a tolerance field that depends on the dimensions of the analyzed parameter.
The paper proposes a new, more complex method that allows a more precise evaluation of the characteristic parameters of these prefabs.
In the last period, the development of laser scanners allowed accurate measurements in a very efficient way.
The analysis of the current state is complete and well done. The authors analyzed both "Laser scanning-based geometrical inspection" and "Range image-based geometrical inspection". The cited scientific works are up-to-date.
Various researchers have developed geometrical inspection techniques for pre-fabricated elements using the laser scan data. In classical approaches, the designed model is compared with collected scan points for edge line detection. This approach presents disadvantages presented by the authors.
Range image-based geometrical inspection uses range image registration, in which the measured model is represented by a series of 3D discrete points. Different algorithms are used to detect the edge and corner of the object. The authors emphasize in this case, also, the problems and limitations of the method.
The authors developed a new, more complex method for estimating the edge line of the precast bridge slab.
This method consists of four stages:
· Data pre-processing. From the 3D points, the top surface is extracted
· Generation of range image from point cloud data.
· Extraction of corner points from range image
· Dimension estimation
The method with all its stages is rigorously presented.
I think the validation of the method should be presented more detail.
First, please specify which of the four-dimensional parameters are of interest to you.
In the "Experiment specimen and configuration" chapter, I ask the authors to detail the experiment plan. What dimensional parameters were measured? Present the dimensions measured manually and the dimensions resulting by applying the proposed method. Then say which version was more accurate - with lower resolution, higher with lower scan height or more par. What option do you propose to be used? Are there other constraints?
In figure 14, it is not clear the meaning of the right image. Please elaborate.
In the chapter "Comparison with traditional dimensional inspection methods", again the measurement plan and the comparison with manually measured values are not presented. Please give more details.
Please specify future research directions.
I appreciate that it is a very good scientific paper.
Author Response
Thanks for your comment and please find the atttached file for details.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 3 Report
The proposed range image-aided algorithm for edge line estimation in precast bridge slabs using point cloud data is a novel approach that overcomes the limitation of inaccurate measurement arising from poor matching of the as-designed model with the collected scan points. The results of the study demonstrate promising accuracy levels for both lab-scale specimens and field-scale precast bridge slabs, highlighting the feasibility of employing the proposed image-based geometrical inspection method.
Comments:
1. The abstract of the article is quite brief and lacks essential information on the methodology, results, and implications of the study.
2. The article lacks a clear explanation of the technical aspects of the proposed range image-aided algorithm, making it difficult for readers to understand the details of the approach.
3. The article could benefit from including a comparison of the proposed algorithm's performance with existing edge line estimation methods to demonstrate its superiority.
4. The article could have provided more detailed information on the limitations of the proposed algorithm and potential future research directions to overcome these limitations.
5. The article lacks a discussion on the potential practical applications of the proposed algorithm, such as its integration with existing inspection procedures in the construction industry.
6. The article could benefit from including more visual aids, such as figures and tables, to help readers better understand the concepts presented in the study.
7. Can RFID tags be used for edge scanning? Check this topic by referring to the reference below.
, , . Using a hybrid encoding method based on the hexagonal resonators to increase the coding capacity of chipless RFID tags. Int J RF Microw Comput Aided Eng. 2022; 32 (12): e23474. doi:10.1002/mmce.23474.
8. Expand the introduction section by addressing the use of sonar and microwave technology so that the reader has a more comprehensive view. Use the following refrences
MAJIDIFAR, SOHRAB and HAYATI, MOHSEN (2017) "Design of a sharp response microstrip lowpass filter using taper loaded and radial stub resonators," Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences: Vol. 25: No. 5, Article 42. https://doi.org/10.3906/elk-1609-130
S.. Majidifar and S.-V. . Makki, “Dual Band Bandpass Filter Using Multilayer Structure”, ACES Journal, vol. 30, no. 10, pp. 1096–1101, Aug. 2015.
Rezaei, A., Yahya, S.I., Noori, L. et al. Design of a novel wideband microstrip diplexer using artificial neural network. Analog Integr Circ Sig Process 101, 57–66 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10470-019-01510-1
Rezaei, A. and Yahya, S. I. (2022) “A New Design Approach for a Compact Microstrip Diplexer with Good Passband Characteristics”, ARO-THE SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL OF KOYA UNIVERSITY, 10(2), pp. 1-6. doi: 10.14500/aro.10999.
9. The article needs some grammatical revision
The article needs some grammatical revision
Author Response
Thanks for your comments and please find the attached file for deails.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
