Mohagheghi, Mehdi, Bahadori-Jahromi, Ali ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0405-7146 and Room, Shah (2026) Intelligent Eyes on Buildings: A Scientometric Mapping and Systematic Review of AI-Based Crack Detection and Predictive Diagnostics of Building Structures. Encyclopedia, 6 (4).

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Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based crack detection in buildings uses computer vision and deep learning to automatically identify structural cracks from inspection images. In recent years, many studies have explored this topic, but the overall development of the field, its methodological practices, and the remaining challenges are still not fully clear. Unlike most previous reviews that focus mainly on technical methods, this study combines a large-scale scientometric mapping of the research field with a focused technical analysis of recent AI-based crack detection methods specifically applied to building structures.

This study therefore provides a dual-layer review covering research published between 2015 and 2025. A total of 146 Scopus-indexed publications were analysed using VOSviewer to examine publication growth, thematic evolution, collaboration patterns, and citation structures. In addition, a focused technical review of 36 highly relevant studies was carried out to analyse task formulations, model families, datasets, evaluation protocols, and methodological practices.

The results show a rapid increase in research activity after 2020, largely driven by advances in deep learning and UAV-based inspections. However, collaboration networks remain uneven, and citation influence is concentrated in limited research communities. Most studies focus on detection-level tasks (particularly YOLO-based models), while predictive diagnostics, automated inspection reporting, and decision-oriented structural health monitoring are still underexplored.

Item Type:	Article
Identifier:	10.3390/encyclopedia6040075
Additional Information:	The article is open access under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license.
Keywords:	AI; computer vision; scientometric analysis; crack detection; building inspection; predictive diagnostics; deep learning
Date Deposited:	01 Apr 2026
URI:	https://repository.uwl.ac.uk/id/eprint/14812
Sustainable Development Goals:	Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure	Sustainable Development Goals:	Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	Sustainable Development Goals:	Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production	Sustainable Development Goals:	Goal 13: Climate Action

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