Suitability of Aerial Photogrammetry for Dump Documentation and Volume Determination in Large Areas

The study presented in this paper analyses the results of measurements and data processing for documentation and quantification of material in heaps in large areas, where UAVs may no longer be effective due to a large range. Two test heaps were selected from a whole area, where the aim was to confirm the suitability of using the method of digital aerial photogrammetry by manned (crewed) aerial vehicle. For comparison, a commonly used GNSS RTK method was also used. Terrestrial laser scanning was chosen as the control reference method. TLS measurement is a trusted method with high accuracy. The methods were compared with each other through the quality of the mesh, analysis of the cross-sections, and comparison of the volumes of heaps. As a result, the determination of heap volumes and documentation using digital aerial photogrammetry can be confirmed as an appropriate, efficient, fast, and accurate method. The difference in the detected volume was less than 0.1%, the mean difference of the meshes was less than 0.01 m, and the standard deviation was less than 0.05 m.

Automated summary

This study analyzed the measurement and data processing results for material documentation and quantification in large areas, confirming the suitability, efficiency, and accuracy of using digital aerial photogrammetry for heap volumes and documentation. The method was compared with GNSS RTK and terrestrial laser scanning, showing minimal volume differences and high precision in digital aerial photogrammetry measurements.