Aerial laser inspection of buildings facades using quadrotor

Monitoring is the backbone of any project management task. In construction, where the service or product to be delivered is directly related to human beings, quality assurance reigns supreme in terms of priority and importance. Construction project goes beyond handing over of the building. The upkeep of the building requires continuous monitoring to maintain the safety aspects as well as aesthetic elements of the building including facades and marble constructions. Laser scanning and photogrammetry can be used for inspection and detection of defects, which can be very valuable for preventive maintenance. We offer to expand the role of the terrestrial laser scanning mechanism, to an aerial inspection and 3D building model generation using quadrotors based on simulations. This will automate the scanning process, increase range_of the inspecting device and minimize the time of shifting and setting up the laser or the cameras, especially when operating in difficult site conditions, hence the aim of this paper. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.