Abstract
The increasing commercialization of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has opened the possibility of performing low-cost aerial image acquisition for the documentation of cultural heritage sites through UAV photogrammetry. This paper presents two case studies that illustrate the use of the DJI Phantom 4 normal UAV for aerial image acquisition, and the results that can be achieved using those images. A general workflow procedure of oblique image capturing and data processing of large data sets has been illustrated in the Prince of Wales Fort case study to create photogrammetric models and to generate orthophotos for condition assessment applications. The second case study provides insight on the possibility of using UAVs for post-disaster documentation when the accessibility and the availability of high cost equipment is of major concern. The results that were obtained from UAV photogrammetry of Nyatapola Temple and Bhairabnath Temple in Taumadhi Square in Nepal, which were damaged by the 2015 Gorkha earthquake, are presented and discussed.
Highlights
The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has quite literally taken the cultural heritage field to new heights
It can be concluded that UAVs offer another platform for image acquisition for photogrammetric purposes
This paper helped to contribute to the knowledge base of using UAVs for documentation applications by examining their role in the image acquisition process
Summary
The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has quite literally taken the cultural heritage field to new heights. UAVs are changing the way that we look at the world. They are becoming more of a common tool and are not shrouded in secrecy as they once were. As UAVs can be equipped with cameras, they are able to capture aerial photographs and video; a prospect that makes them a very appealing choice as a digital documentation tool. UAVs themselves are known by many different names, including remotely piloted vehicles (RPV), drones, and remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) [2,3].
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