Comparison of Image-Based and Time-of-Flight-Based Technologies for Three-Dimensional Reconstruction of Infrastructure

• Published in: Journal of construction engineering and management Vol. 139; no. 1; pp. 69 - 79
• Main Authors: Dai, Fei, Rashidi, Abbas, Brilakis, Ioannis, Vela, Patricio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Reston, VA American Society of Civil Engineers 01.01.2013
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Buildings. Public works; Cameras; Computation methods. Tables. Charts; Engineers; Exact sciences and technology; Imaging; Infrastructure; Lasers; Measurements. Technique of testing; Photogrammetry; Reconstruction; Sensors; Structural analysis. Stresses; Technical Papers; Reconstruction; Measurement; Videogrammetry; Structural design; Methodology; Three-dimensional models; Three-dimensional reconstruction; Spatial analysis; Video technique; Bridges; Spatial data collection; One family house; Three dimensional model; Experimental result; Linguistic tool; Infrastructure; Comparative studies; Data collection; Laser scanning; Measurement accuracy; Comparative study; Photogrammetry; Data gathering
• ISSN: 0733-9364; 1943-7862
• DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000565

AbstractAs-built spatial data are useful in many construction-related applications, such as quality control and progress monitoring. These data can be collected using a number of imaging and time-of-flight-based (e.g., laser scanning) sensor methods. Each application will demand a particular level of data accuracy and quality, yet little information is available to help engineers choose the most cost-effective approach. This paper presents an analytical and quantitative comparison of photogrammetric, videogrammetric, and time-of-flight-based methods. This comparison is done with respect to accuracy, quality, time efficiency, and cost. To this end, representative image-based three-dimensional reconstruction software and commercially available hardware (two cameras and a time-of-flight-based laser scanner) are evaluated. Spatial data of typical infrastructure (two bridges and a building) are collected under different settings. The experimental parameters include camera type, resolution, and shooting distance for the imaging sensors. By comparing these data with the ground truth collected by a total station, it is revealed that video/photogrammetry can produce results of moderate accuracy and quality but at a much lower cost as compared to laser scanning. The obtained information is useful to help engineers make cost-effective decisions and help researchers better understand the performance impact of these settings for the sensor technologies.