Architectural Heritage: 3D Documentation and Structural Monitoring Using UAV (original) (raw)
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Journal of Imaging
This paper describes how Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) may support the long-term monitoring of crack patterns in the context of architectural heritage preservation. In detail, this work includes: (i) a state of the art about the most used techniques in ancient structural monitoring; (ii) the description of the implemented methods, taking into account the requirements and constraints of the case study; (iii) the results of the experimentation carried out in the lab; and (iv) conclusions and future works.
ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE 3D MODELLING USING UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES MULTI-VIEW IMAGING
2023
Today, Architectural Heritage 3D models are created using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) imagery and processing through Computer Vision (CV) methods. They are becoming more acceptable as reliable sources for study, documentation, diagnostics, intervention planning, monitoring, and management decision-making. The Deir-e-Kaj caravanserai, located in Qom, Iran, is a massive and half-destroyed architectural heritage that belongs to the Seljuk era. The obstructed access due to illegal deep excavations and the extensive demolished structure did not allow for a complete mapping using traditional and terrestrial techniques. Considering the condition and vulnerability of the artifact, it looks necessary to use a safe, non-destructive, and remote method for 3D documenting. The literature review shows in most of the research UAVs are used for acquiring nadir images, which are combined with the terrestrially acquired data for complete 3D modelling. In this case, a multi-view UAV imaging strategy is considered for the as-is 3D modelling of Deire-e-Kaj. Three different imaging angles are designed and used to carry out the comprehensive and all-needed data acquisition. The nadir images are acquired to cover the plan and enclosure, and the horizontal and oblique images cover the façades and interior spaces of the artifact. Adopting a suitable photogrammetric process based on the SfM workflow allows for obtaining an accurate, high-quality, and textured 3D model of the caravanserai. Accuracy evaluation of the result using Ground Control Points shows a total accuracy of ±1 cm. This study demonstrates the efficiency of multi-view UAV photogrammetry as a rapid, safe, and precise method to create a complete 3D model of massive, hard-to-access, and vulnerable Architectural Heritage.
UAV and Computer Vision in 3D Modeling of Cultural Heritage in Southern Italy
On the Waterfront Italo Falcomatà of Reggio Calabria you can admire the most extensive tract of the walls of the Hellenistic period of ancient city of Rhegion. The so-called Greek Walls are one of the most significant and visible traces of the past linked to the culture of Ancient Greece in the site of Reggio Calabria territory. Over the years this stretch of wall has always been a part, to the reconstruction of Reggio after the earthquake of 1783, the outer walls at all times, restored countless times, to cope with the degradation of the time and the adjustments to the technical increasingly innovative and sophisticated siege. They were the subject of several studies on history, for the study of the construction techniques and the maintenance and restoration of the same. This note describes the methodology for the implementation of a three-dimensional model of the Greek Walls conducted by the Geomatics Laboratory, belonging to DICEAM Department of University “Mediterranea” of Reggio Calabria. 3D modeling we made is based on imaging techniques, such as Digital Photogrammetry and Computer Vision, by using a drone. The acquired digital images were then processed using commercial software Agisoft PhotoScan. The results denote the goodness of the technique used in the field of cultural heritage, attractive alternative to more expensive and demanding techniques such as laser scanning.
Periodica Polytechnica Civil Engineering, 2020
The aim of this paper is to identify a suitable methodology to realize, in an easy and quick way, 3D models of complex structures. To achieve this aim, the first step is to build the 3D model of the scene under investigation using photogrammetric modelling. This task was carried out by the use of algorithms based on Structure from Motion (SfM) - Multi View Stereo (MVS) approaches and using camera-generated images supplied in the UAS (Unmanned Aerial system). Once built the 3D point cloud of the structure under investigation, the geometry of each element was reconstructed with 3D profile reconstruction using Rhinoceros software and a few plug-ins developed in this software. Indeed, this paper shows, through a case study of a masonry bridge of special architectural and historic value built in the middle of 1800s and located in the south of Italy, the potential of the method developed in order to manage a maintenance or restoration project.
The development of close-range photogrammetry has produced a lot of new possibility to study cultural heritage. 3D data acquired with conventional and low cost cameras can be used to document, investigate the full appearance, materials and conservation status, to help the restoration process and identify intervention priorities. At the same time, with 3D survey a lot of three-dimensional data are collected and analyzed by researchers, but there are a very few possibility of 3D output. The augmented reality is one of this possible output with a very low cost technology but a very interesting result. Using simple mobile technology (for iPad and Android Tablets) and shareware software (in the case presented " Augment ") it is possible to share and visualize a large number of 3D models with your own device. The case study presented is a part of an architecture graduate thesis, made in Rome at Department of Architecture of Roma Tre University. We have developed a photogrammetric survey to study the Aurelian Wall at Castra Praetoria in Rome. The surveys of 8000 square meters of surface have allowed to identify stratigraphy and construction phases of a complex portion of Aurelian Wall, specially about the Northern door of Castra. During this study, the data coming out of 3D survey (photogrammetric and topographic), are stored and used to create a reverse 3D model, or virtual reconstruction, of the Northern door of Castra. This virtual reconstruction shows the door in the Tiberian period, nowadays it's totally hidden by a curtain wall but, little and significative architectural details allow to know its original feature. The 3D model of the ancient walls has been mapped with the exact type of bricks and mortar, oriented and scaled according to the existing one to use augmented reality. Finally, two kind of application have been developed, one on site, were you can see superimposed the virtual reconstruction on the existing walls using the image recognition. On the other hand, to show the results also during the graduation day, the same application has been created in off-site condition using a poster.
ArchEyeAutomatic: UAV-Based Documentation of Monuments in Archaeology
2023
Field archaeology is a science in which the objects of study are often destroyed during excavation. Historical monuments are often threatened by exposure to the elements and other environmental influences. Documentation is therefore indispensable in the former case and an essential part of the conservation process in the latter. Documentation methods are moving more and more into the 3D space, so it makes sense to do more remote sensing in the third dimension as well. The present work is a continuation of the author’s project ArchEye, which was one of the first applications of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for documentation tasks in archaeology and one of the first archaeological uses of hobbyist multi-copter technology when it started in 2009. It demonstrated the wide range of applications for small drones in archaeology. The experience of this project clearly showed that more automation could improve the efficiency of documentation. Consequently, this thesis approaches this task by leaving behind traditional 2D photo stitching and focusing on 3D recording using Structure from Motion (SfM) with the help of UAVs. The experience of the ground-based SfM approach is outlined in the author’s Master’s thesis entitled "From photos to a 3D model: open-source close range photogrammetry for use in archaeology" formed another essential basis for this work. From the beginning, the aim of this thesis was to achieve a complete method for this approach, because on the one hand a thorough 3D documentation with UAVs and SfM requires specific strategies for the acquisition. On the other hand, the analysis of the resulting 3D data requires tools and knowledge of what can be achieved with them. The limitations of the proposed method are outlined in its specific steps. Therefore, this thesis presents the technical parts of the data acquisition with UAVs and SfM, but also software and methods for documentation, which are elaborated on several examples. To put the results of the approach into perspective, a comparison with other 3D recording methods is shown and discussed.
Meassurement 136, 2019
Knowledge about cultural and archaeological heritage can dissolve or even disappear with the passage of time, especially when the protection level of the archaeological site is weak.The recent development of techniques based on remote sensing from remotely controlled light plat-forms, so-called Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) or drones, carrying sensors in visible and other spectral ranges, allows to measure efficiently the current surface morphology of a damaged archaeological site. In this work, a deteriorated and unique archaeological site due its chronological and functional singularity was chosen as the study case (Fuente Amarguilla-Cortijo Nuevo). Mound structures made of stone, interconnected one to each other in a regular network, covered by vaults, and well adapted to a smooth slope topography have no known precedents in the Iberian Peninsula in the Bronze Age. Nowadays, this site is seriously damaged, and its protection level by the administrations is weak. Nevertheless, two archaeological campaigns were carried out recording interesting information. A UAV-Photogrammetry project based on Structure from Motion (SfM) and Multi-View Stereopsis (MVS) algorithms was applied to model the surface terrain where the structural basis and connection channels were built, obtaining a dense point cloud, an orthoimage and a Digital Surface Model (DSM).The topographic data covering altered areas were removed from the dense point cloud, and then a new interpolated surface was obtained representing the unaltered morphology. Finally, the information recorded in the archaeological campaigns was materialised in a virtual reconstruction located between both surfaces, measured by UAV-Photogrammetry and interpolated, and then the original architectural complex in its context was recreated and shared with the scientific community through Google Earth, contributing to recovering and preserving this cultural heritage, even after its disappearance.
USE OF UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES (DRONES) FOR THE AUSCULTATION OF HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES AND ANCIENT STRUCTURES (Atena Editora), 2024
The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (RPAS), better known as drones, has been expanding in recent years with multiple and very diverse applications, among which are the inspections of architectural heritage elements, singular constructions and old or delicate structures. The present article arises precisely from several routine inspections, carried out in an experimental way on diverse heritage elements, and from a detailed main inspection, carried out on a medieval bridge: the Brandomil Bridge. With the completion of all of them and the information obtained, it will be possible to assess whether the aircraft can serve as a quality tool for carrying out the work that is currently carried out with qualified personnel, the transport and installation of expensive auxiliary means and a high economic and time investment, especially in the careful planning of the work. Similarly, special emphasis is placed on safety and risk reduction: safety and risk reduction for the monument to be inspected, and risk reduction for the safety and health of the workers currently performing the work.