The Lab of Close Range Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing is a team of researchers developing, testing and applying the techniques of photogrammetry, laser scanning, GPR and thermography.
We integrate a research group within the Vigo University Schools of Mining Engineering and Forestry Engineering, in Spain.
Research expertise
Close range photogrammetry, terrestrial laser scanning and GPR for high accuracy mapping, monitoring and parametrisation of engineering models:
• Verification of instruments and validation of data
• Methods for fusing multi-sensed data
• Automated methods of information extraction
Applications
We have applied photogrammetry, laser scanning and GPR in a range of applications, including:
• Documentation and preservation of cultural heritage;
• Three dimensional modelling, visualisation and virtual reality
• Structural recording and monitoring ;
• Monitoring of coastal erosion
• Geomorphology and landslide stability
• Ship modelling and evaluation
• Forensic and criminalist applications
Working with us
We are opened to discuss collaboration with academic and commercial partners via consultancy, research projects and industrial fellowships. For more information please contact us.
Postgraduate
Graduate
Mining Engineering School
- Geomatics
- Geopraphic Information Systems
Industrial Engineering School
- Construction and Surveying
- Non destructive Testing
Forestry Engineering School
- Graphical Engineering and Cartography
- Remote Sensing
- Forestry Roads and Surveying
Agricultural Engineering School
Dr. Pedro Arias Sanchez: Dean of the Mining School (University of Vigo) from 2007. Secretary WG V/3, Commission V, ISPRS. Supervisor of 6 PhD Theses. About 35 scientific papers. About 28 citations. Reviewer of scientific papers (Wiley-Blackwell, Elsevier, Springer, MDPI, Thomas Telford). Guest editor of DYNA Journal.
Belen Riveiro MSC in Forestry Engineering, 2006. She is working in applications of photogrammetry and laser scanning to the field of civil engineering. She was a visiting researcher in the Institute for Applied Photogrammetry and Geoinformatic of Oldenburg (Gernamy).
Dr. Henrique Lorenzo. Full time Lecturer at the Department of Natural Resources Engineering. University of Vigo Spain. MSc in Geodesy, 1989, and PhD in Geophysics, 1994, from the Complutense University of Madrid. He worked on civil engineering applications and archaeological site investigation using groundpenetrating radar. His current research interests include traffic infrastructures survey, 3D GPR imaging, and the joint use of close-range techniques (photogrammetry and laser scanner) together with GPR for cultural heritage documentation and evaluation.
Joaquín Martínez MsC in Electronics Engineering, and postgraduate in
Environmental Resources. I am currently developing my doctoral Thesis in the
automation of architectural measurement using photogrammetry and computer
vision.
Susana Laguela. Degree in Mining Engineer (2009), MsC in Environmental Technology (2010), both in the University of Vigo. Working fields: thermography, laser scanning, and photogrammetry, applied to energy efficiency studies in buildings.
Dr. Celestino Galan Full time Lecturer of Geographic Information Systems at the University of Vigo (Spain). He has a PhD degree in Mining Engineering from Oviedo University (Spain). His research interests are in environmental modelling with GIS, spatial statistics and machine learning applications in geosciences, and close range photogrammetry applied to building.
Marcos Álvarez MSc in Telecommunications Engineering.
Main interests: pattern recognition, image processing, texture analysis
Dra. Julia Armesto Julia graduated in 2000 in Forestry Engineering at the University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain, and got PhD degree in 2004 on remote sensing processing and applications. In 2005 she moved to the University of Vigo, where she joined to the Lab of Close Range Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, develops research lines concerning photogrammetry, TLS and thermography and works as Assistant Professor of Geomatic Techniques and 3D Modelling.
Aymara Reyes She is Geographer from the Venezuela Central University and student of PhD in Environmental Technolgies. Her research interests are in enviromental modelling with GIS, spatial statistics and remote sensing applications in geosciences,
Maria Varela She is Computer Engineer and student of MsC in Environmental Technologies, Vigo University. Her research interests are in environmental modeling and programming with GIS and spatial statistics.
Dr. Higinio González. Full time Researcher at the Department of Natural Resources Engineering, University of Vigo, Spain. MSc in Physics, 2001, and PhD in Physics, 2005, from the University of Vigo. Visiting researcher at the University of Aveiro - Portugal, National Physical Laboratory - UK and Technical University of Denmark. Researcher in the Metrology Laboratory of Galicia for three years in the area of optical metrology, precision engineering and computer vision. Nowadays he is interested in photogrammetry, laser scanning metrology and multisensing imaging.
Iván Puente. Degree in Mining Engineer (2009), MsC in Environmental Technology (2010), both in the University of Vigo. Working fields: photogrammetry and laser scanning for inspecting linear infrastructures.
Dra Mercedes Solla PhD in Forestry Engineering in the University of Vigo, 2010. Her research topic is ground penetrating radar survey of historic mansonry arch bridges of Galicia
Project title: Observatory of mansonry arch bridges. Management system. OPAF-SIG
Duration: 2009/2012
Funding entity: Ministry of Science and Innovation
Outline: The aim of the project is to develope an expert system for diagnosis of arch bridges. The objectives are designing and developing a mobile location based computing unit, carrying out a detailed inventory of masonry arch bridges in the North Peninsula, developing a methodology for the structural evaluation, developing an inspection decision support system for mansonry arch bridges and define the requirements for suitable maintenance.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Project title: Petrogliphs orthophotographic documentation and 3D modeling through TLS in Peña de Fadiel, Astorga (Leon), Spain.
Duration: 2009
Funding entity: Philosophy and Literature Faculty of Leon, Spain
Outline: A laser scanner Riegl LMS Z-390i was used to the geometrical measurement of archaeological petrogliphs in Lucillo, Leon (Spain). The data processing was performed using the Riegl software Riscan Pro and involves data filtering, triangulation and texturing. Orthophotos were also obtained. This technique reveals very interesting for archeology because prevent erosion and damages that contact techniques cannot avoid.
Project title: Assessment of the instability hazard of a granite boulder
Funding entity: Private Company
Outline: The objective of this work consisted on using TLS to acquire clouds of points for generating the geometry of the 3-D surface and obtaining cross sections of a boulder. The resulting 3D model enabled us to determine the centre of gravity and to calculate the dimensions of the
support surface and the volume of the boulder. This information, combined with data on the mechanical characteristics of the rock and on a series of external factors, enabled us to determine whether the boulder was unstable and required steps to prevent possible
toppling or sliding.
Project title: Geographic Information System for grape management
Funding entity: Regional Government of Galicia
Outline: Close Range Photogrammetry & Remote Sensing group is in a partnership with Proyestegal SL to standardize the input data to develop a geographic information system for grape management and improve the productivity of this important sector in our region.
Project title: TLS 3D modeling of Figueiras-Muxeiro seaside dunes and Rodas beah and lake, National Park of Cies Islands, Pontevedra, Spain
Funding entity: Marine Geosciences Department, Vigo University, Spain
Outline: The seaside dunes, Rodas beach and lake of National Park of Cies Islands located in the Atlantic Coast of Galicia (Spain) where surveyed using the laser scanner Riegl LMS Z-390i and georeferenced using the GPS instrument Trimble MS750. A deep filtering process was performed to remove the data provided from vegetation and several individual point clouds where merged to achieve a global point cloud. The point cloud was also triangulated to obtain surfaces and texturized. Finally, a contour map was obtained using the laser scanner software Riscan Pro. This technique was complemented with bathymetry studies and provides important information to research studies in Marine Geoscience.
Project title: TLS 3D modeling of Louro seaside dune and lake, Muros (A Coruña), Spain
Outline: The seaside dunes and lake of Louro located in the Atlantic Coast of Galicia (Spain) where surveyed using the laser scanner Riegl LMS Z-390i and georeferenced using the GPS instrument Trimble MS750. A deep filtering process was performed to remove the data provided from vegetation and several individual point clouds where merged to achieve a global point cloud. The point cloud was also triangulated to obtain surfaces and texturized. Finally, a contour map was obtained using the laser scanner software Riscan Pro. This technique was complemented with bathymetry studies and provides important information to research studies in Marine Geoscience.
Project title: 3D modeling of Santo Domingo ruins
Funding entity: Vigo University
Outline: Santo Domingo ruins are located in the city centre of Pontevedra (Spain). The come from a Dominican Abbey built in XIII century, gothic style, and partially destroyed in XIX century. The laser scanner Riegl LMS Z-390i was used to obtain the point cloud. Then, a filtering, triangulation and texturing process was performed to obtain the 3D model and the ortophotos.
Project title: 3D modeling and virtual visit to the Samos monastery
Outline: The monastery of Samos was founded in the sixth century, but later suffered multiple reconstructions. The architectural styles Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque can be found in the monastery. The monastery was modeled using the Riegl LMS Z-390i laser scanner and a virtual visit was also developed.
Project title: Damage inspection system for ships deck and hull based on a photogrammetry system
Outline: Photogrammetry application to ship repair
Project title: Application of geomatics technology to the forensics area
Outline: This project is mainly focused in the application of the close range geomatics technologies to criminalist processes where forensics anthropology is required (murders, catastrophes, missing people, terrorist attacks or accidents). The methodology used will be in agreement with the steps required for the works developed in forensics antropology. The reliability and usefulness of technologies as geo-radar, photogrammetry or laser scanning will be tested in the localization of cadavers and human remains, the recording of the crime scenes, the exhumation of bodies, the anthropometric measurements and indentification of bodies. The application of 3D measuring technologies to the forensics activities will help to improve this poorly developed scientific area in Spain.
This project has a multidisciplinary research team with people skilled in geomatics technolgies, from the Close Range Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry Group at University of Vigo, and people skilled in forensics anthropology, from the Legal Medicine Institute of Galicia and the University of Vasque Country.
Project title: Design of a system for the prevention and control of fires in urban areas
Duration: 2008/2011
Outline: Geographical information system for the control of fires in urban areas
Project title: Design and implementation of a system for infrastructure management
Outline:
Project title: Analysis, design and functional validation of an intelligent and autonomous web environment on the basis of a geographical information system for the study and comparison of ground penetrating radar profiles and the appearance of structuraland surface defects in roads
Duration: 2007/2010
Outline: Application of a geographical information system combined with ground penetrating radar inspection technique to study the appearance of damages in roads
Project title: Application of the geomatic technologies for the dimensional, structural and conservation state analysis of singular historical bridges
Duration: 2006/2009
Funding entity: Ministry of Education and Science
Outline: The main objective of this project consisted of surveying a representative sample of the historical bridges located on the North-West of Spain by means of several non destructive technologies (Close Range Photogrammetry, Laser Scanning, Ground Penetrating Radar, etc.)
As a result a general inventory of 88 bridges was documented from historical, metrical and conservation point of view. Then some selected bridges were also evaluated by means of photogrammetry and laser scanning in order to obtain the accurate metric and with a GPR survey some internal characteristics were obtained. Finally, with this geomatic information different structural analysis were performed so that load capacity and resistance of bridges was determined by different methods.
http://webs.uvigo.es/pontesgal/
Project title: Advanced methodologies for documentation and evaluation of historic bridges through photogrammetry, laser scanner and groud penetrating radar
Outline: The main objective of this project is the analysis of the feasibility and effectiveness in the use of ground penetrating radar for internal analysis of historical bridges from three perpectives: documentary, structural and archaeological. A total of 40 historic bridges have been studied by this technique. As a result, we have obtained information about different zones of the bridges as a function of the manufacturing material and its homogeneity. These aspects are directly related with the rehabilitation activities carried out on bridges which are not always adequately documented. It has also been possible to document and locate historical and structural characteristics within the bridges (arches hidden, reinforcements, cracks, voids, etc).
Project title: Application of close range photogrammetry to deck measurement in recreational ships
Duration: 2006/2007
Outline: This project demonstrates the utility of close range photogrammetry in the measurement of decks covered with teakwood in recreational crafts as an alternate measurement system to the traditional ones based on contact probes. Photogrammetry and contact methods were compared in terms of metrology precision and accuracy, time consumption in measuring process and equipment handling. Results show as photogrammetry has advantages in almost every aspect with respect to the contact probe method and is suggested as a suitable for this kind of measurements. However, in special circumstances, where ships have wide corridors with obstacles the contact probe method can be more appropriate.
Project title: Close range photogrammetry applied to facade measurement automation
Duration: 2006/2008
Outline: Determining the dimensions of the facades and any building element, such as window openings, doors, panels, etc. is usually performed by direct measurement methods. This direct methods suffer from a number of disadvantages; some of these disadvantages are: slow operation, loss of data, lack of clarity in the records and risk for practitioners. The objective of this work is to replace direct methods by other indirect methods, based on close-range photogrammetry and a laser distance meter to capture all the necessary information with no contact to the object. These indirect processes are based on taking pictures with a digital camera and measuring the distance to the object with a laser range finder, with both mounted on a special support that can rotate the position of the range finder with respect to the camera.
The different phases of the project include the design and fabrication of the support and a software application that interfaces this hardware. The support permits to mount a camera and a laser distance meter and to scale the shot of the camera. Using a proper calibration method for knowing the distance and rotation between camera and distance meter, The software application permits to orient the picture and to obtain 2D measurements from a single photo.
Several tests were made on building façades. The relative error for the 95%of the data in these tests was lower than 1.5%. As a result, we obtain a low-cost system, that allows quick and easy usage by unskilled personnel that eliminates risky procedures for operators at work. The system was initially used to measure façades, but other applications are possible as well.
Project title: Ship 3D modeling during the repair process
Duration: 2006
Outline: In this project a ship is completely recorded (hull and deck) using a terrestrial laser scanner Faro LS880. Geomagic Studio8 was used for data processing, triangulation and texturing. Volume of the underbody was also obtained using the waterline which indicates the level at which the ship floats in the water. 3D model was then used for hydrodynamic engineering studies.
Project title: Building surveying aimed at land management
Duration: 2005/2007
Outline: Archytectural heritage surveying and documentation.
Project title: Integration of geographic information systems and terrestrial photogrammetry for environmental impact studies for land consolidation process
Project title: Measurement of ship prototypes using a laser scanning technique
Duration: 2004
Outline: The collaboration between Rodman Polyships SA and Vigo University was established to obtain 3D models from ship prototypes. The raw point cloud is obtained using laser scanning technology, then filtered and triangulated to obtain the surface model. The results allow the company the metrology comparison between the ship design and the manufactured prototype for quality assurance. In addition, the employed measurement procedure was made available to the company to repeat the process if necessary.
Project title: Design photogrammetric nets applied to heritage documentation
Duration: 2002/2004
Outline: 3D modelling of built up structures.
Project title: Investigation of archaeological heritage
Duration: 2002
Outline: Documentation of archaelogical site.
Project title: Application of ground penetrating radar to detect and assess the state of the pavement and the network of supplies in the urban underground
Duration: 2001/2003
Outline: Partnership between Enmacosa SA and the University of Vigo to study the application of ground penetrating radar to study the pavement and the network of supplies in urban areas.
Project title: Methodology for the architectonic and archaelogic heritage characterization through terrestrial photogrammetric and radar techniques
Duration: 2000/2003
Commercial
ENMACOSA
Misturas S.A.
EXTRACO S.A.
Proyestegal S.L.
E.I.C. Duran S.L.
Insitu Ingenieria S.L.
Tesagua S.L.
Industrias González S.A.
Nauteka S.L.
Logica S.L.
Varela Villamor S.L.
Government
Ministry of Internal Affairs
Legal Medicine Institute of Galicia
Academic Institutions
TECNUN University of Navarra, Spain
Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain
University of Salamanca, Spain
Polytechnic University of Cataluña, Spain
University of Extremadura, Spain
Institute for Applied Photogrammetry and Geoinformatics, Germany
Polytechnic School of Milan, Italy
New Mexico State University, USA
Universidade Federal do Paraná, Brasil
Universidade Federal Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil
Gdansk University of Technology, Poland
We have no funded vacancies at this time, but we welcome contact from researchers interested in joining us for short periods through visiting fellowships / professorships or for longer periods by applying for fellowships from external funding bodies.
Find us
ETSI Minas Universidad de Vigo
Campus Universitario As Lagoas-Marcosende s/n C.P. 36310 VIGO
SPAIN
Contact details
Mail: parias_uvigo.es; julia_uvigo.es
Phone: 0034 986 814 077 / 986 813 423
