Terrestrial Laser Scanning for Deformation Monitoring

Small scale deformation monitoring using terrestrial laser scanning is gaining considerable attention mainly due to the high spatial resolution of the acquired data. The notion of this paper is to discuss the issues influencing the feasibility of laser scanning for deformation monitoring. Prior to any data collection it is critical to evaluate the scanner’s performance within a calibration scheme using independent procedures as well as selfcalibration measures depending on the scanner system. The paper discusses methods of surface modelling implemented for deformation monitoring and approaches used to measure the deformation from surfaces. Finally, applications which involve the use of laser scanning in laboratory and non-laboratory conditions are presented to demonstrate the above issues.