The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences
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Articles | Volume XLII-2/W2
https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLII-2-W2-45-2016
https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLII-2-W2-45-2016
05 Oct 2016
 | 05 Oct 2016

3D DOCUMENTATION AND BIM MODELING OF CULTURAL HERITAGE STRUCTURES USING UAVS: THE CASE OF THE FOINIKARIA CHURCH

K. Themistocleous, A. Agapiou, and D. Hadjimitsis

Keywords: 3D models, BIM, cultural heritage, documentation

Abstract. The documentation of architectural cultural heritage sites has traditionally been expensive and labor-intensive. New innovative technologies, such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), provide an affordable, reliable and straightforward method of capturing cultural heritage sites, thereby providing a more efficient and sustainable approach to documentation of cultural heritage structures. In this study, hundreds of images of the Panagia Chryseleousa church in Foinikaria, Cyprus were taken using a UAV with an attached high resolution camera. The images were processed to generate an accurate digital 3D model by using Structure in Motion techniques. Building Information Model (BIM) was then used to generate drawings of the church. The methodology described in the paper provides an accurate, simple and cost-effective method of documenting cultural heritage sites and generating digital 3D models using novel techniques and innovative methods.