Application of TLS Technology for Documentation of Brickwork Heritage Buildings and Structures

Abstract

Remote measurement of historic buildings and structures using the technology of terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) is becoming a more and more popular approach for conducting inventory activities, documentation and conservation works. In this paper, TLS was harnessed for analysis of historic brickwork structures from the 19th century. During the research programme, chosen brickwork heritage buildings were scanned. Based on the collected geometric data of the point cloud, it was possible to create an exact model of the scanned objects. The obtained radiometric information of the point cloud allowed us to identify changes in the surface of walls, such as cavities, cracks and previous repairs. Moisture was also identified in some cases. The conducted tests enabled the identification of brickwork in need of urgent repair. It was possible to assess the general technical state of the tested structures. The possibilities and limitations of the TLS diagnostic methodology of analysing the quality of historic brickwork and its future possible applications were indicated.