Domenica Costantino

Three-dimensional integrated survey for building investigations

The study shows the results of a survey aimed to represent a building collapse and the feasibility of the modellation as a support of structure analysis. An integrated survey using topographic, photogrammetric, and terrestrial laser techniques was carried out to obtain a three‐dimensional (3D) model of the building, plans and prospects, and the particulars of the collapsed area. Authors acquired, by a photogrammetric survey, information about regular parties of the structure; while using laser scanner data they reconstructed a set of more interesting architectural details and areas with higher surface curvature. Specifically, the process of texture provided a detailed 3D structure of the areas under investigation. The analysis of the data acquired resulted to be very useful both in identifying the causes of the disaster and also in helping the reconstruction of the collapsed corner showing the contribution that the integrated surveys can give in preserving architectural and historic heritage.

Production of DTM quality by TLS data

Abstract A procedure of calculation and experimentation addressed to a DTM extraction by TLS data has been implemented. The validation of elevation values has been realized by integrating the data collected with classical topographical and GPS observations. The results obtained allowed the assessment of the appropriate and simplified procedure for the determination of the DTM using laser technology and the possibility to improve and verify the attainable accuracy of the altitude plane. The experimental outputs have been compared with those produced by commercial software. The difference obtained is primarily concerned with the conceptual scheme applied in the definition of the grid in the algorithm of interpolation and obtainable accuracy. Moreover, after obtaining the grid by topographic survey, characterized by a high precision, it is possible to verify its accuracy.

Thermal monitoring using an ASTER image

Abstract. The research is focused on the study of the applicability of remote sensing techniques (specifically using ASTER data) for marine environmental analysis, relative to the determination of the surface temperatures. Using a multitemporal approach, two images (classified as level-1B), acquired in August 2000 and in 2005, were considered. The thermal maps were realized by means of the emissivity spectral normalization method, defining the thermal gradients in the area under investigation. The spatial and temporal anomalies related to the temperature distribution were highlighted; these anomalies represent an important parameter for the identification of probable groundwater pollution and soil contamination. To define the map of the surface temperature using thermal infrared ASTER channels, a numerical model dedicated to ASTER data was implemented during the experimentation. This model is based on the principle of interpolation of the type “least square interpolation (linear),” and it implies a reduction in the number of unknowns to obtain an acceptable solution to the problem. This experimental model has provided good results in the phase of implementation and in the tests on a synthetic image that were simulated in the laboratory. However, further verifications and modifications are necessary for the processing of real ASTER images.

Integrated survey methodology for the crime reconstruction

The object of this study is to evaluate the applicability of photogrammetry and laser scanner techniques both on forensic ballistic reports and on reproduction of crime scene. In the first case, in a shooting range for small arms, photogrammetric and laser were used both for the acquisition of metric data related to the testing environment and for ballistic simulation on a suitable sample. The crime scene was specifically simulated in laboratory, while the room where a murder took place was re-created. Once the setting had been made, it was possible to perform the survey of the scene and the details in it by using laser scanner and photogrammetric techniques. Data acquisition has enabled authors to carry out a rapid reconstruction of the scene and detect several parameters using the available elements. Specifically, the processed data were also exported to a CAD and an image processing software.

Virtual Museum, the Exploration of Cultural Heritage with Virtual Reality Techniques

The use of immersive Virtual Reality (VR) technology is a relatively recent trend that is spreading in various areas such as, for example, the digital fruition of cultural heritage. The set of appropriately integrated hardware and software technologies are able to combine three-dimensional models of virtual or real objects obtained, for example, from integrated laser scanner and/or photogrammetric survey. If the user observes a computer monitor there is three-dimensional non-immersive VR to which the user accesses through devices with which he can controls what is displayed onto a flat screen. In the VR a true reality can be simulated, you can navigate and move in real-time in photorealistic environs and interact with the objects presents in them. This paper illustrates the Virtual Museum project, a system of digital fruition of cultural heritage with low-cost virtual reality techniques, under development by AESEI s.r.l. - Spin-off of Polytechnic of Bari. This software, entirely written in C++ language, is compatible with the 64-bit Windows operating systems and interfaces with an Oculus DK2 Head Mounted Display (HMD) device for immersive vision and with the Leap Motion device for gestures recognition.

ASTER image for environmental monitoring Change detection and thermal map

This paper describes the applicability of ASTER data for the environmental analysis both of the definition of the change of land use and in the field of marine environments, for the determination of surface temperatures. Using a multi-temporal approach, two images (respectively acquired in August 2000 and in 2005) were considered. The mapping of land use was carried out following an approach of supervised classification according to the Maximum Likelihood algorithm with 17 training sites, in order to evaluate the effects of the interventions of urbanization and both extension and variation of agricultural crops. The thermal maps were realized by means of the ESN (Emissivity Spectral Normalization) method, defining the thermal gradients in the area under investigation. The spatial and temporal anomalies related to the temperature distribution were highlighted; these anomalies represent an important parameter for the identification of probable groundwater pollution and soil contamination.

Photogrammetric Approaches for the Virtual Reconstruction of Damaged Historical Remains

The photogrammetrical techniques are, in this moment, experimenting new approaches based on innovative algorithms. The recent availability of high resolution cameras and sensors made possible the fast and accurate acquisition of complex geometries. On the other hand, manage such amount of data need for optimized procedure to automatize the geometric extraction of the geometric features. In this paper different photogrammetric techniques will be compared with direct measurement of the same site with laser scanner. The test site is the main door of the palace of the ex seminar archbishop’s palace of Taranto town, whose construction goes up again to the XVII century, was surveyed. The survey has been realized, as we said, using two techniques: photogrammetrical survey and terrestrial digital laser scanner. In the portal the frieze is attributable to the Baroque style, while the molding has Rococo style features. The use of the photogrammetry has been finalized to the virtual reconstruction of the aforesaid portal, of which only lateral pillars and parts of the decoration are present in situ; the other elements found by the archaeologists have been summarily recomposed in laboratory. The photogrammetric survey has been performed on every element, moreover with the aid of the laser scanning survey, we have performed the resetting of the frieze, so that the whole portal has been semi-qualitatively reconstructed on the base of precise measurements.