UAEU College of Engineering Students invent a method to measure the deflection in buildings

Four students from the College of Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) have achieved a qualitative innovation in measuring the deflection of buildings by calibrating digital cameras and using them to capture images that indicate a deflection in structures.

‏One of students, Khawla Al Mazrouei has pointed out that this project focuses on the design of a methodology and a framework that uses digital imaging techniques in precise observation of the engineering structures to detect the defects of many buildings. The initial results of the project showed its effectiveness in photographing buildings containing curves by means of calibration cameras and calculating the deflection of building. ‏She added "The idea of the project has begun when knowing the problems that lead to defects and deficiencies in the buildings, which encouraged us for more search with the help of Dr. Mwafag Ghanma, an Instructor at the Civil and Environmental Engineering department and the supervisor of the project - on the causes and the development of precautionary procedures to avoid them and try to measure them if possible. ‏It is worth mentioning that the teams are: Khawla Al Mazrouei, Salama Al Ketbi, Naila Al Neyadi and Fatima Al Dhaheri. This innovation has received an award for the best poster for graduation project.

The project was completed in two stages: the literature review study stage associated with surveying and standardization, and the design and construction of structural elements, implementation system and level of graphic design.