The Use of Laser Scanning and Aerial Photogrammetry as Tools for the Analysis of Double-Shell Domes in the Province of Alicante (Spain)

Abstract

The collection of spatial data for documenting cultural heritage has changed in recent years. There has been a shift from the use of traditional direct measurement tools to the possibility of using indirect methods such as photogram-metry or laser technology. Regarding photogrammetry, it is worth highlighting its low cost, obtaining results with sufficient precision for the rigorous documentation of cultural heritage elements. As for the use of laser technology, its cost is higher, but the results obtained reach a high level of precision. The aim of this work is to analyse the constructive form of double domes in the province of Alicante (Spain). Specifically, the application of the proposed methodology to the dome of the church of San Juan Bautista de Callosa d’en Sarriá is analysed and discussed, although this methodology can be extrapolated to any dome or other constructive element of similar characteristics. For this purpose, information from point clouds obtained with the terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) and aerial photogrammetry from photographs taken with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) with an incorporated camera were used. Data from inside the dome were obtained with TLS, while data from outside the dome were obtained by combining both indirect methods. These data were used to obtain the complete point cloud based on the constructed 3D reality in order to extract the necessary information.