3D Point Cloud from Close-Range Photogrammetry for Defect Characterisation of Rubberised Concrete

Abstract

While three-dimensional (3D) point clouds are widely used in civil engineering, mainstream LiDAR systems such as Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) are physically constrained to laboratory environments. Since their laser spot size typically exceeds the width of microcracks, the beam physically bridges over voids, rendering TLS unsuitable for fine-scale defect analysis. Alternatively, close-range photogrammetry utilising Structure-from-Motion (SfM) and Multi-View Stereo (MVS) algorithms offers a solution for testing highly tortuous materials, and its utility at fine-scale remains underexplored. This study adapts photogrammetric workflows specifically for rubberised concrete (RuC), a sustainable composite exhibiting high ductility and complex fracture morphologies. High-resolution image sets were captured using a Canon DSLR and an iPhone 16 to generate dense 3D models. Comparisons revealed that the DSLR-based reconstruction achieved sub-millimetre resolution, demonstrating superior performance for fine-scale surface monitoring. An RGB-guided crack extraction method was developed to enhance the identification of surface defects and isolate potential crack areas from the background. The extracted crack regions were visually distinguishable and provided a well-structured geometrical representation of defect morphology. Furthermore, a Pre and Post-Test deformation analysis was conducted to quantify surface displacement across testing stages. The results confirm that this close-range photogrammetry workflow is a flexible, high-resolution alternative to LiDAR for surface inspection and deformation monitoring of specimens in laboratory settings. Ultimately, this approach establishes a robust geometric baseline for future automated 3D feature characterisation and material performance evaluation.