Measurements of building structures

Abstract

The construction and operation of buildings and structures suggest taking measurements to determine accurate dimensions, shape, and mutual location of all structural elements. This is one of the most popular surveying services. All types of outlines (lineal, curvilinear, bevelled) and surfaces in both plan and elevation are subject to measurements and dimensioning. Depending on the goals that are set during measuring activities, measurement activities differ in the degree of accuracy and completeness. Building measurements are done to find their actual geometric characteristics and possible deviations from the project documentation for buildings and structures. Measurements are done to find structural dimensions, cross-section of individual elements, distances between structures in plan and height, elevations, and other parameters. This results in measurement diagrams. The article overviews existing measurements: schematic, architectural, and archaeological. Various measurements methods are considered: in-situ (conventional), photogrammetric, and geodetic. Their advantages and disadvantages are described. A measurement method is selected based on certain features of the surveyed facility. Sometimes all possible methods are combined to obtain accurate data.