Effect of different registration methods on precision of orientation based on RTK registration/georeferencing mode

Abstract

Compared with traditional methods, the three-dimensional laser-scanning (3D-LS) technique can efficiently acquire many high-quality geometric properties of rock discontinuities. In practice, engineers usually prefer to simplify the processing by using single-station point data and roughly orienting owing to the complexity of registration/georeferencing multi-station point data. However, prior published studies have paid little attention to the accuracy and reliability when determining discontinuity orientations using 3D-LS. We propose a reliable and accurate method with robust on-site applicability. As part of an ongoing effort, we are evaluating the precision of the commonly used coarse registration method and the fine registration method, and promoted the optimized coarse- and fine-registration methods and evaluated their precision. It is found that: (1) the common and the optimized registration method can meet our project’s engineering requirements, and the optimized registration method improved accuracy in the dip direction by approximately 1°; (2) fine registration using an iterative closest point (ICP) algorithm can correct both dip direction and dip angle; and (3) the orientation is of high precision with commonly used coarse and fine registration, whereas the optimization effect to correct the orientation is slightly limited.

Keywords:

• 3D laser scanning
• rock discontinuities
• orientation
• RTK registration
• ICP algorithm

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Zongjun Wu, Tianbao Chen and Zhongwen Li for their assistance.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research was financially supported by four funds, namely the Science and Technology Project of Jiangxi Provincial Transportation Department (No. 2017H0018), the Open Foundation of Jiangxi Engineering Research Center of Water Engineering Safety and Resources Efficient Utilization (No. OF201602, OF201604), and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51869012).