UAV Photogrammetry and 3D Modelling of Complex Architecture for Maintenance Purposes: the Case Study of the Masonry Bridge on the Sele River, Italy

Abstract

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.

Use of Low-Cost Spherical Cameras for the Digitisation of Cultural Heritage Structures into 3D Point Clouds

“…This paper intends to continue with the line of research based on camera calibration and, more in general, aims at identifying photogrammetric techniques that allow 3D models to be obtained from spherical images and on the combination based on Structure from Motion (SfM) and Multi-View Stereo (MVS) algorithms. SfM solves the issue of camera positioning and scene geometry simultaneously and automatically, using a highly redundant bundle adjustment based on matching features in multiple overlapping, while MVS algorithms allow densifying the point cloud generated by the SfM approach [12]. Until a few years ago, while SfM has been studied extensively for perspective cameras and omnidirectional hemispheric cameras, little attention has been given to fully spherical cameras [13].…”

Data for 3D reconstruction and point cloud classification using machine learning in cultural heritage environment

“…This paper describes a photogrammetric survey performed by a UAV platform [ 2 , 3 ] in order to generate a 3D point cloud and its subsequent semantic classification in Cultural Heritage (CH) environment. The test area is located in the archaeological site of Metaponto, Italy and represents the remains of a Doric temple dating from the 6th century before Christ (BC) and dedicated to the Greek goddess Hera, as shown in Fig.…”

Comparative Analysis of Digital Models of Objects of Cultural Heritage Obtained by the “3D SLS” and “SfM” Methods

“…Both methods allowed to extract and process various point clouds and generate mesh 3D models of different scales (different resolution, detail content and precision) [37]. In turn, the obtained 3D point cloud was used to study the brick bridge over the Sele River (southern Italy), characterised by unique architecture of historical value, dating from the mid-nineteenth century [38].…”