Remote Detection of Moisture and Bio-Deterioration of Building Walls by Time-Of-Flight and Phase-Shift Terrestrial Laser Scanners

Abstract

Detection of bio-deterioration and moisture is one of the most important tasks for comprehensive diagnostic measurements of buildings and structures. Any undesirable change in the material properties caused by the action of biological agents contributes to gradual aesthetic and physical damage to buildings. Very often, such surface changes can lead to structural defects or poor maintenance. In this paper, radiometric analysis of point clouds is proposed for moisture and biofilm detection in building walls. Recent studies show that remote terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) technology is very useful for registering and evaluating the technical state of the deterioration of building walls caused by moisture and microorganisms. Two different types of TLS, time-of-flight and phase-shift scanners, were used in the study. The potential of TLS radiometric data for detecting moisture and biofilm on wall surfaces was tested on two buildings. The main aim of the research is to compare two types of scanners in the context of their use in the detection of moisture and microorganisms.