UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE APPLICATIONS OF 3D MODELLING, VISUALIZATION AND PARAMETER CALCULATIONS

Abstract. Photogrammetric surveying with the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) have gained vast popularity in short span. UAV have the potential to provide imagery at an extraordinary spatial and temporal resolution when coupled with remote sensing. Currently, UAV platforms are fastest and easiest source of data for mapping and 3D modelling. It is to be considered as a low-cost substitute to the traditional airborne photogrammetry. In the present study, UAV applications are explored in terms of 3D modelling, visualization and parameter calculations. National Institute of Technology Raipur, Raipur is chosen as study area and high resolution images are acquired from the UAV with 85% overlap. 3D model is processed through the point cloud generated for the UAV images. The results are compared with traditional methods for validation. The average accuracy obtained for elevation points and area is 97.99% and 97.75%. The study proves that UAV based surveying is an economical alternative in terms of money, time and resources, when compared to the classical aerial photogrammetry methods.