These researchers based at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (interesting combination) wanted to see if laser scanning could be of value in measuring the structural deformations of bridges.
First they verified that the laser scanner was meeting the published accuracy of +/- 5mm by measuring the deformation of a steel plate under controlled conditions in the lab. The laser scanner measurements were compared to those obtained using high-precision digital calipers.
They then moved into the field where they studied 2 bridges over the Danube. The results were found to be similar with a number of advantages noted for the scanner. In the final analysis, however, given the higher accuracy required for deformation studies, the scanner was not able to provide the primary system of measurement.
