In geotechnical laboratories, complicated geometries have frequently to be surveyed and the surfaces of the test materials, such as soils or geosynthetics, are often hard to handle within the experiments. Compressions, strains, distortions, stresses and failures (for example, cracks) must be identified. Highly accurate measurements of two-and three-dimensional deformations can be performed using photogrammetric systems. Digital close range photogrammetry offers the possibility of capturing three-dimensional points to sub-millimetre accuracy. Because this is a non-contact measurement technology and large point clusters can be captured simultaneously, the method is well suited for geotechnical laboratory applications. Nowadays, digital cameras are well developed, such that even low-budget consumer cameras can be used for surveying tasks with high accuracy requirements. In this context, complex measurements in geotechnical experiments, such as the threedimensional determination of strains in dynamic systems where several cameras may be needed, can be performed at very low cost.In the authors' opinion, low-budget solutions include the use of hardware and software which is already accessible. If the available photogrammetric network does not meet the requirements of the planned task, individual adaptation of this network may still be more cost-effective than purchasing a specialised product. This paper covers a variety of applications using low-budget digital photogrammetric solutions in geotechnical laboratories and emphasises two recent projects at the University of Rostock.

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