THE USE OF TERRESTRIAL LASER SCANNING FOR THE DETECTION OF STRUCTURAL DEFECTS OF BUILDINGS.

The laser scanning technology provides information that is useful in managing investments, measuring distances, volumes and surface areas of analysed elements. It can be applied in construction and reconstruction of buildings, transport infrastructure etc. at all stages-from earthworks to carrying out an investment to an inspection of completed works and preparation of the as-built documentation. There are many publications that address the issue of irregularities in structural elements of buildings and the use of various tools for examining them. However, each new object tested and each new method used casts a new light on the issue of detecting structural defects of buildings. This paper presents a study carried out by means of the ScanStation C10 laser scanner by Leica, focusing on reviewing the accuracy of the results: fidelity to reality obtained by means of a point cloud, modelling precision, etc. It also presents a summary of errors resulting from laser scanning and evaluates the suitability of terrestrial laser scanning for analysing structural elements of buildings. The conclusions indicate the advantages and disadvantages of laser scanning. Unfortunately, it is hard to say for certain that the laser scanning technology is the best method to use for the purposes described herein. The decision as to its application depends on the accuracy expected by the user. In the case of conducting a survey of a building or structure an error of 5 mm is acceptable, however, as regards research requiring high precision, such as deformation and displacement analyses, the laser scanning technology is merely an option.