Laser Scanning in Engineering Surveying: Methods of Measurement and Modeling of Structures

Abstract

The study is devoted to the uses of laser scanning in the field of engineering surveying. It is currently one of the main trends of research which is developed at the Department of Engineering Surveying and Civil Engineering at the Faculty of Mining Surveying and Environmental

Implementation of virtual reference points in registering scanning images of tall structures

“…It is necessary to merge the acquired data sets supplemented with accuracy analysis. The issue of registration of scan sets and their spatial orientation is widely discussed in literature [2,12,16]. It may seem that nowadays this problem has been solved or significantly minimized.…”

“…As expected, installing the reference targets on the foundation level of the structure in its nearest vicinity failed to produce the desired results. According to the conclusions of the study [12], the system of reference targets should form an irregular spatial solid with the span comparable to the size of the structure which, in the case presented, was impossible to meet due to the highly developed surroundings. The error of the showcased outcome model, which increases with height can, however, be eliminated by using virtual reference points.…”

“…Among its advantages, one should definitely point out the ease and speed of use (up to 1 million points per second); precision (up to mm level accuracy) with a high point density, noninvasive, and remote character of the measurement (also in very low light conditions); and the possibility of remote operation (especially important in life-threatening or healthendangering conditions). All these contribute to the fact that the TLS technique is now applied in as built surveys of buildings and structures for the purpose of documentation of their existing condition and checking compliance with the project [1][2][3][4]; creating the precise 3D models of structures of various types for design purposes [5]; documenting historical objects [6,7]; or destruction, deformation, and monitoring of engineering constructions and excavations [3,6,[8][9][10][11][12]; surveying of tunnels and rail tracks [13]; calculating volumes; applying building information modeling (BIM) [1,2]; monitoring the stability of the earth's structures [14]; and geotechnical and geological mapping in mining.…”

“…From the engineering surveying perspective, one of the most interesting features of this technology is the possibility of obtaining a full model of the surveyed structure [3,9,10]. This contributes to the ability to perform advanced analyses (determination of cross-sections, geometry, volume or displacements and deformations over time) [3,12] as well as to obtain the desired information on the properties or state of an object at any point, not just at selected spots [2,3,9].…”

“…Tall structures are a special case of constructions in the aspect of registering scans and determining their spatial location [12,18]. Most often available only from the ground level, without the possibility of implementing targets at the top as well as identification of structural elements that can replace them.…”