Research and Development in Virtual Engineering

Method to Scan, Evaluate and Fuse Data from Near-Surface Features of an Object

Routine inspection and documentation of the condition of buildings helps detect damage and changes on a structure at an early stage. Timely countermeasures can prevent consequential damage and expensive repairs. We have developed innovative systems and methods for this. The Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing BAM, the Institut für Diagnostik und Konservierung an Denkmalen in Sachsen und Sachsen-Anhalt e.V. (IDK) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation IFF collaborated to develop innovative systems and methods for efficient, quantifieable and nondestructive damage classification and mapping and monitoring strategies.

In particular, the Fraunhofer IFF worked on a method to scan and evaluate near-surface features of an object. Among other things, this included:

• high resolution 3D scanning of object surfaces with a light section sensor
• high resolution digitization of facades using a stereo photogrammetry system
• manually controlled three-dimensional scanning of surface features using a sensing tool

In addition to the scanning system, methods for the visualization and evaluation of readings were researched. The fusion of data sets from different data domains plays an important role. Two-dimensional image data (e.g. thermographs) can be combined with high resolution 3D surface scans to provide users complete information on the condition of an object.

This work was supported with funds from the Building the Future research initiative of the Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning BBR (Reference number: Z 6 – 10.08.18.7- 08.16/ II 2 – F20-08-024) and the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (Reference number: SF–10.08.18.7-10.33 / II 3 – F20-10-087).