3D modeling of building generated by photogrammetry using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

Abstract

Construction projects are highly complex systems that recurrently present discrepancies between work-as-imagined and work-as-done. Digital technologies, such as photogrammetry using UAVs (drones), are promising support tools to cope with this problem. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the procedures for developing and assessing the quality of a 3D model generated through photogrammetry from images captured by a drone, comparing it to the as-designed BIM model. Thus, a case study was carried out in a residential low-income housing construction project in Camaçari, Brazil. Compared to the as-designed BIM 3D model, the photogrammetric model presented an average dimensional deviation of -1.68%. The model also presented issues such as occlusions and deformations. The study highlights that both this deviation and the quality of the photogrammetric model can be significantly influenced by the data collection method (e.g., quantity and resolution of photos). The study's primary contribution lies in presenting the potential of UAV usage for image capture in photogrammetry model generation.