Investigation of repeatability of digital surface model obtained from point clouds in a concrete arch dam for monitoring of deformations

Abstract

Applicability of Terrestrial Laser Scanners/Scanning (TLS) in deformation measurement in dams is an active area of study. With the advance of modern technology, accuracy of measurements is much improved by developments in design of terrestrial laser scanners. Currently, this technology is used in large and complex engineering structures such as dams. Although TLS is a high cost technology, it is particularly used in monitoring of dam deformations, due to its speed in obtaining thousands of data points, ability to visualize the scanned object and its environment with high accuracy and ability to take long-range measurements. In order to determine the effect of change in water reservoir levels on body of the dam, TLS are used to take deformation measurements in different time intervals, where the water level was at maximum, minimum and medium levels. This paper provides an overview of terrestrial laser scanning technology for deformation monitoring. The concrete arch dam in Antalya Oymapinar, Turkey was used for case study. Four different scannings were performed in this dam in order to verify the replicability of TLS results on same water levels and equivalent conditions. Digital Surface Models reflecting dam surface have been created. Results obtained from surface model differences were examined using surface matching method.