Remote sensing and photogrammetry techniques in diagnostics of concrete structures

Recently laser scanning technologies become widely used in many areas of the modern economy. In the following paper authors show a potential spectrum of use Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) in diagnostics of reinforced concrete elements. Based on modes of failure analysis of reinforcement concrete beam authors describe downsides and advantages of adaptation of terrestrial laser scanning to this purpose, moreover reveal under which condition this technology might be used. Research studies were conducted by Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Gdansk University of Technology. An experiment involved bending of reinforced concrete beam, the process was registered by the terrestrial laser scanner. Reinforced concrete beam was deliberately overloaded and eventually failed by shear. Whole failure process was tracing and recording by scanner Leica ScanStation C10 and verified by synchronous photographic registration supported by digital photogrammetry methods. Obtained data were post-processed in Leica Cyclone (dedicated software) and MeshLab (program on GPL license). The main goal of this paper is to prove the effectiveness of TLS in diagnostics of reinforced concrete elements. Authors propose few methods and procedures to virtually reconstruct failure process, measure geometry and assess a condition of structure.