Digital survey of damages on the facade of a historical building

This study discusses the application of 3D terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) in the evaluation of the technical condition of a historical building – a brewery located in the town of Szczytno (Poland). The digital database was obtained entirely by means of a Leica ScanStation C10 laser scanner. The works involved obtaining and connecting the scanning data, followed by their application in determination of the extent of damages on a virtual model of the building. The study discusses the efficiency of a laser scanner in surveying damages to a historical building. The measurements were hampered by numerous factors, such as the location of measuring points, street traffic, by standers and adverse weather conditions. However, application of TLS method using an impulse scanner allows quick digitization of an entire object, what is of great importance when it comes to examining large buildings. It should be pointed out that this is one of the few methods which allow points located in poorly accessible places, e.g. on top of a roof or a tower, to be recorded from the ground level. A laser scanner is ideal for digital capturing of details of historical buildings. It is particularly useful in measuring damages or architectural details. Digital data so obtained can then be analysed using a computer in comfortable conditions. A disadvantage of the laser scanning is a large amount of accidental and undesired data, which requires a time-consuming filtration of a point cloud. Digitized data facilitates the research procedure as it allows detailed measuring of complex objects in comfortable conditions.