Combining Terrestrial Laser Scanning and Drone-Based Photogrammetry towards Improving Volume Calculations in Construction Projects

This research aims to co-register UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) photogrammetry and Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) for volumetric measurements of irregularly shaped material stacks available at construction sites in Iraq. The research investigates the potential of combining these techniques in com...

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Main Authors: Sharafaddin Th. Muhammed, Fanar M. Abed
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Baghdad 2025-08-01
Series:Journal of Engineering
Subjects:
Online Access:https://joe.uobaghdad.edu.iq/index.php/main/article/view/3572
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author Sharafaddin Th. Muhammed
Fanar M. Abed
author_facet Sharafaddin Th. Muhammed
Fanar M. Abed
author_sort Sharafaddin Th. Muhammed
collection DOAJ
description This research aims to co-register UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) photogrammetry and Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) for volumetric measurements of irregularly shaped material stacks available at construction sites in Iraq. The research investigates the potential of combining these techniques in comparison to standalone and traditional techniques to improve volume quantification and time consumption. An area containing a stockpile of bulk materials and building remnants was selected. A low-cost drone was used for data acquisition, whereas Structure from Motion (SFM) and Multi View Stereo (MVS) algorithms were used for processing and analysing the photogrammetric data. In contrast, Stonex X300 TLS device was used for laser data collection, while 3D Re-constructor software was used for data processing and analysis. The resulting volume from utilizing individual techniques came out as follows: 2692 m3 from UAV photogrammetry with an accuracy of ±6 mm, 2730.99 m3 from integrating photogrammetry and TLS with an accuracy of ±35 cm, while the conventional approach delivers 3048 m3 with an accuracy of ±1.1 cm. The data integration (fusion) approach shows a high error level due to data registration obstacles, which can be overcome if the target-based registration approach is applied to increase the accuracy level to several millimeters. In this research, the results indicate the significant effectiveness of low-cost drones to deliver accurate volume measurements in photogrammetry, which outperform the conventional techniques for estimation, management, and precise volume calculation of the stocks and materials in construction projects. This was approved in the perspective of time, data intensity, cost effectiveness, and labor intensity following data analysis. 
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spelling doaj-art-8301b908b7764febb91ee24dfc7c0b782025-08-20T03:14:57ZengUniversity of BaghdadJournal of Engineering1726-40732520-33392025-08-0131810.31026/j.eng.2025.08.03Combining Terrestrial Laser Scanning and Drone-Based Photogrammetry towards Improving Volume Calculations in Construction ProjectsSharafaddin Th. Muhammed0Fanar M. Abed1Department of Surveying Engineering, College of Engineering, University of BaghdadDepartment of Surveying Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Baghdad This research aims to co-register UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) photogrammetry and Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) for volumetric measurements of irregularly shaped material stacks available at construction sites in Iraq. The research investigates the potential of combining these techniques in comparison to standalone and traditional techniques to improve volume quantification and time consumption. An area containing a stockpile of bulk materials and building remnants was selected. A low-cost drone was used for data acquisition, whereas Structure from Motion (SFM) and Multi View Stereo (MVS) algorithms were used for processing and analysing the photogrammetric data. In contrast, Stonex X300 TLS device was used for laser data collection, while 3D Re-constructor software was used for data processing and analysis. The resulting volume from utilizing individual techniques came out as follows: 2692 m3 from UAV photogrammetry with an accuracy of ±6 mm, 2730.99 m3 from integrating photogrammetry and TLS with an accuracy of ±35 cm, while the conventional approach delivers 3048 m3 with an accuracy of ±1.1 cm. The data integration (fusion) approach shows a high error level due to data registration obstacles, which can be overcome if the target-based registration approach is applied to increase the accuracy level to several millimeters. In this research, the results indicate the significant effectiveness of low-cost drones to deliver accurate volume measurements in photogrammetry, which outperform the conventional techniques for estimation, management, and precise volume calculation of the stocks and materials in construction projects. This was approved in the perspective of time, data intensity, cost effectiveness, and labor intensity following data analysis.  https://joe.uobaghdad.edu.iq/index.php/main/article/view/3572Construction worksVolume calculationsIrregular stockpilesUAV photogrammetryLaser scanning
spellingShingle Sharafaddin Th. Muhammed
Fanar M. Abed
Combining Terrestrial Laser Scanning and Drone-Based Photogrammetry towards Improving Volume Calculations in Construction Projects
Journal of Engineering
Construction works
Volume calculations
Irregular stockpiles
UAV photogrammetry
Laser scanning
title Combining Terrestrial Laser Scanning and Drone-Based Photogrammetry towards Improving Volume Calculations in Construction Projects
title_full Combining Terrestrial Laser Scanning and Drone-Based Photogrammetry towards Improving Volume Calculations in Construction Projects
title_fullStr Combining Terrestrial Laser Scanning and Drone-Based Photogrammetry towards Improving Volume Calculations in Construction Projects
title_full_unstemmed Combining Terrestrial Laser Scanning and Drone-Based Photogrammetry towards Improving Volume Calculations in Construction Projects
title_short Combining Terrestrial Laser Scanning and Drone-Based Photogrammetry towards Improving Volume Calculations in Construction Projects
title_sort combining terrestrial laser scanning and drone based photogrammetry towards improving volume calculations in construction projects
topic Construction works
Volume calculations
Irregular stockpiles
UAV photogrammetry
Laser scanning
url https://joe.uobaghdad.edu.iq/index.php/main/article/view/3572
work_keys_str_mv AT sharafaddinthmuhammed combiningterrestriallaserscanninganddronebasedphotogrammetrytowardsimprovingvolumecalculationsinconstructionprojects
AT fanarmabed combiningterrestriallaserscanninganddronebasedphotogrammetrytowardsimprovingvolumecalculationsinconstructionprojects