UAV SYSTEMS FOR DOCUMENTATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE

Architectural documentation is an activity which requires getting information from different sources for complete and comprehensive analysis. In the field of architectural documentation different innovative systems have been developed in survey like digital photogrammetry and Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS). One of these techniques Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) equipped with a digital camera have become one of the most promising techniques in last years. It opens various new applications in large scale and close-range and so becoming progressively common due to the considerable potentials in terms of accuracy, costs and abilities. Their capability of data acquisition with high resolution allows texture mapping on DSM (Digital Surface Model), 3D models and orthophotos. It is also possible to create mosaics, maps and drawings which can be used for image interpretation. These data can be applied to several applications including 3D documentation of environment, cultural heritage, monitoring and recording landscape data and infrastructural assets for risk analysis and management process. This paper discusses the potentials of UAVs in order to analyze, interpret and manage cultural heritage data through a case study (carried out before). It also presents the procedure of processing UAV data in order to create digital surface models and photo-realistic outputs for digital reconstruction models and visualization. The obtained results have been demonstrated with case study and general discussion has been made for evaluating potential of UAV technique for cultural heritage documentation.