Evaluating the capability of using close-range photogrammetry in measuring desert pavement roughness

There are several methods of measuring desert pavement roughness. Among these methods, one can name laser and sonic rangefinder, 3D photography, and close-range photogrammetry. Remote sensing techniques need less and cheaper equipment than laser and sonic methods. In short-range photogrammetry, the quantitative amount of terrains can be obtained by processing the images of a digital camera using special methods of photography and camera calibration.

  This method can be introduced as an accurate and cost-effective measuring method to provide a digital model of complications and a three-dimensional model of objects. The present study aimed to evaluate the possibility of using close-range photogrammetry in measuring desert pavement roughness. In this research, first, the calibration parameter of the camera was calculated by taking photos of standard patterns. Then, the meshed samples of desert pavement were photographed and the photos were three-dimensionally simulated.

 The results showed that since in this method the selected points have more effective height and uniform dispersion, the measurement of the average height of roughness is more accurate. It means that measuring the roughness of the soil surface is done with high accuracy in a short time.