Design of accurate, robust and reliable engineering surveying
systems to be applied at construction sites or for monitoring purposes
Validation of surveying equipment and quality assessment (QA) as
well as quality control (QC) of measured data
Acquisition of static and/or dynamic data for better understanding
the behaviour of structures and natural phenomena
Creation and maintenance of integrated geospatial information
systems for engineering applications
Improvement of advanced statistical and non-statistical methods to
derive reliable information on displacements of structures and natural
objects
Transfer of artificial intelligence to engineering surveying tasks
Increase the use of area wide capturing techniques like aerial and
terrestrial photogrammetry, ground and satellite based interferometric
radar as well as static and mobile laser scanning in construction
sites, visual inspections and displacement monitoring
Integration of multi-sensor systems and internet of things (IoT)
sensors
Implementation and testing of automated surveying systems
Contribution with spatial data to BIM, 3D and 4D visualizations,
collaborative virtual environments and augmented reality
Advance point cloud-based spatiotemporal monitoring
Examine the potential and capabilities of low-cost sensors and
systems in surveying engineering
Application specific (e.g., bridge, dam, high-rise structures)
monitoring studies and monitoring of geohazards (e.g., landslides,
soil subsidence)
Mission Statement
The mission of Commission 6 is to:
Assist the engineering surveyors to have privileged access to the
newest knowledge, either in the technology domain or the analysis
techniques and methods
Encourage the development of guidelines and good practices as well
as to support standardization activities
Disseminate the benefits arising from the newest engineering
surveying techniques among other professionals
Promote interdisciplinary forums for the exchange of knowledge
Participate in FIG organizations and cooperate with other FIG
Commissions as with FIG Networks
Cooperate with sister organizations, primarily the IAG and ISPRS,
including the organization of joint events
Promote engineering surveying in other organizations using
surveying data, e.g. ICOLD, IABMAS, ITA, ION-GNSS
General
Nowadays we are experiencing a period of paradigm shifts, several
motivated by awareness of the limitations of our planet. Our world is
becoming less and less stable. The number of big disasters, whether
natural or resulting from human activity (earthquakes, landslides,
land subsidence, climate change consequences, etc.) is increasing.
Severe weather conditions together with inadequate human interventions
on the earth surface, as well as with an increase of inhabitants in
several areas of the globe, are leading to a need of engineering
surveys in pre, during and post disasters. In this context the
commission is linking to the sustainability vision of the FIG Council
Work plan serving society for the benefit of people and planet.
Civil engineering structures are ageing and, in many countries,
bridges and water dams are reaching the end of their design
lifetime. To keep them in service and ensure a safe operation,
structural health monitoring (SHM) concepts have to be developed and
implemented. SHM is a promising field for engineering surveying as
surveying methods play a vital role in SHM systems.
In the domain of civil engineering, rehabilitation is the new
rule and sustainability in construction is an undeniable demand.
Even if 2D mapping and current practice is still needed, engineers
and architects look for 3D solutions in all phases, ranging from the
design, to the construction, and throughout the operation phase.
Several demand even 4D models now, integrating data from several
sources, sometimes in real (or quasi real) time. Furthermore, the
augmented and virtual reality approached become more important to
generate immersive environments.
The challenges are rapidly increasing. Emerging techniques and
requests in new areas of work are challenging the engineering
surveyors. FIG Commission 6 will work together with engineering
surveyors to provide them information about equipment and methods
that will increase their expertise, making them even more valuable
professionals.
Working Groups
Working Group 6.1 – Deformation Monitoring and Analysis
Policy Issues
Deformation studies in Engineering Surveying are based on a broad
knowledge of suitable sensors and their potential, modern data storage and
communication solutions and advanced processing and analysis methods.
Additionally, a thorough understanding of the behaviour of monitoring
objects and processes (e.g., large scale structure or landslide effected
area), is essential to set-up and operate an optimum monitoring system.
Nowadays deformation tasks are more and more oriented towards real-time,
multi-sensor systems, which require automation of data capture and new
concepts in data processing, analysis and interpretation. WG6.1’s main
goals will be to support specialists in deformation studies with
state-of-the art solutions and provide latest developments and future
oriented concepts:
Promoting studies on the potential of existing and new sensors to
determine geometric deformation quantities from surveying and adjacent
fields;
Promoting the development of concepts for automated data storage,
data transfer and data pre-processing;
Promoting the adaptation of numerical algorithms to derive relevant
deformation quantities in real-time, including concepts from time
series analysis;
Promoting the adaptation of machine learning to detect, localize
and classify structural deficiencies;
Promoting a multidisciplinary collaboration between surveying,
structural and geotechnical engineers to understand the behaviour of
structures and geotechnical objects;
Study of modern concepts for data analysis like artificial neural
networks, fuzzy logics and generic algorithms;
Investigate and adopt as required modern analysis techniques (Big
Data, IoT, etc.) to cope with large volume data arising from large
number of low-cost sensors;
Study the issues and investigate the challenges arising for using
Unmanned Arial Vehicles (UAVs) and robotic mobile platforms for
deformation monitoring;
Chair and Co-Chair
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Niemeier
University Professor
Technische Universität Braunschweig, Germany
w.niemeier[at]tu-bs.de
Corinna Harmening
University Professor
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany
corinna.harmening[at]kit.edu
Specific project(s)
Webinar series
Workshop(s)
Main organiser
for: 6th Joint International Symposium on Deformation Monitoring
(JISDM) in 2025
Supporter of INGEO
conferences, which take place about every 3 years.
Support of special
sessions at FIG working weeks resp. FIG Congress
Publication(s)
Guideline on IoT sensors or Machine Learning in engineering
surveying
Timetable
2023: Kick-off,
Collaboration in Scientific Workshop on Uncertainty and Quality of
Multi-Sensor Systems at FIG Working Week 2023
2024: Preparation of
guidelines
2025: 6th JISDM
symposium on 7-9 April 2025 in Karlsruhe, Germany
2026: Reporting and
finalisation
Beneficiaries
FIG Member
Country/Associations (Knowledge, Awareness, Implementation)
Modern surveying instruments enable the high frequent measurement of
geometric changes. Total stations and GNSS receivers are capable of
measurement rates of 20 Hz and more. Cameras, profile laser scanners and
ground based interferometric radar can record with several hundred Hz. For
the first time, engineering surveying can be applied to ambient and forced
vibration monitoring of civil structures. WG6.2’s main goals will be to
exploit the dynamic capabilities of modern surveying instruments in
structural monitoring:
Initiate investigations to extend the range of deformation studies
to higher frequencies, which are important in Structural Health
Monitoring, i.e. to be able to study oscillations and vibrations and
their effects on critical structures;
Extend investigations regarding time series analysis especially in
time-frequency domain analysis, e.g., based on the wavelet transform
or the short-time Fourier transform;
Extending the scope of dynamic Structural Monitoring to
quasi-static load tests with surveying instruments in dynamic mode,
leading to a better understanding of stiffness parameters of building
structures for example bridges;
Provide best practice guides on how to operate surveying
instruments and to analyse dynamic monitoring data;
Investigate the system performance of surveying instruments in
dynamic mode, as most instrument specifications are only given for
static modes.
Chair and Co-Chair
Panos Psimoulis
Associate Professor
University of Technology, United Kingdom
Panagiotis.Psimoulis[at]nottingham.ac.uk
Florian Schill
Professor
Hochschule Mainz - University of Applied Sciences, Germany
florian.schill[at]hs-mainz.de
Specific project(s)
Summer school in dynamic monitoring
Workshop(s)
Tutorial at International Course of Engineering Surveying (IVK) -
2023
Publication(s)
Best practice guides on how to operate surveying instruments in
dynamic mode
Timetable
2023: Kick-off, Tutorial at IVK
2024: Summer school in dynamic monitoring
2025: Best practice guide
2026: Reporting and finalisation
Beneficiaries
FIG Member Country/Associations (Knowledge, Awareness,
Implementation)
Surveying professionals
Surveying students
Working Group 6.3 - Applicataions of immersive
technologies in Engineering Geodesy
Policy Issues
Immersive technologies such as Augmented Realty (AR), Virtual
Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR) evolved significantly in the
last decade and they are now mature to be used in professional
applications. Immersive technologies already demonstrated their
capabilities in virtual site inspection, geodetic measurement
planning and interaction with multi-dimensional measurement data
sets. In addition, they have a great potential in the education of
surveying students, providing simulations without the requirement of
cost intensive equipment, but also in industry and infrastructure
projects. These immersive technologies provide an adequate
human-computer interface (HCI) for upcoming 3D information models
and shared virtual sessions can reduce the necessity of onsite
visits and improve the quality of digital meetings.
WG6.3’s main goals will be to connect surveying experts
interested in immersive technologies, to establish a database of
geodetic models needed for relevant applications and to derive best
practise examples that will be published in a FIG publication.
Chair and Co-Chair
Peter Bauer
University Assistant & Member of the FIG Young Surveyors Network
Graz University of Technology, Austria
peter.bauer[at]tugraz.at
Dimitrios Bolkas
Associate Professor
Pennsylvania State University, Wilkes-Barre Campus, United States of
America
dxb80[at]psu.edu
Specific project(s)
Establish a platform where AR/VR/MR objects, e.g. 3D models
of total stations can be shared
Collection of AR/VR/MR related publications
Creation of simple geodetic virtual application for sharing
and demonstration purposes
Workshop(s)
Virtual workshops with interactive parts
Publication(s)
Catalogue of 3D models of surveying gear that can be used in
AR/VR/MR applications
Basic VR application (e.g. publication on GitHub)
Joint paper
Timetable
2023: Kick-off, Search for interested parties, definition of
AR/VR/MR catalogue
2024: Virtual workshop I: Catalogue filled with elements,
and topic of VR application is set
2025: Virtual workshop II: Catalogue is made accessible, and
VR application is published
Engineering surveying is crucial at every construction project in
various phases like staking out, machine control, monitoring during
construction and during the remaining lifetime. Nevertheless,
engineering surveying is often overlooked and methods are
re-invented by other disciplines although being state of the art in
engineering surveying since decades. WG6.4’s main goals will be to:
Enhance the visibility of engineering surveying in
other disciplines
Strengthen the position of surveying professionals in
construction projects
Promote the application of surveying instruments and
analysis methods
Initiate special sessions at conferences organized by civil
engineering societies like the International Commission of Large
Dams (ICOLD), International Association for Bridge Maintenance
and Safety (IABMAS), International Tunneling and Underground
Space Association (ITA), International Society of Structural
Health Monitoring of Intelligent Infrastructure (ISHMII)
Giving webinars in webinar series organized by civil
engineering societies
Chair
Craig Hancock
Senior Lecturer in Surveying
Loughborough University, United Kingdom
C.M.Hancock[at]lboro.ac.uk
Specific project(s)
Workshop(s)
Special sessions at international civil engineering conferences
Publication(s)
Timetable
2023: Kick-off, Identifying relevant conferences and webinar
series
2024: Special Session I, Webinar I + II
2025: Special Session II, Webinar III + IV
2026: Reporting and finalisation
Beneficiaries
FIG Member Country/Associations (Knowledge, Awareness,
Implementation)
Surveying professionals
Co-operation with Other Commissions and organisations
FIG Commission 1 via WG 6.4 Engineering Surveying Outreach
FIG Commission 2 via WG 6.3 Applications of AR and VR in
Engineering Geodesy
FIG Commission 5 via WG 6.2 Dynamic Structural Monitoring
FIG Young Surveyors Network via WG 6.3 Applications of AR
and VR in Engineering Geodesy
FIG SDGs Taskforce via WG 6.1 Deformation Monitoring and
Analysis
Co-operation with United Nation Organisations, Sister
Associations and other Partners
Cooperation with sister associations:
IAG via WG 6.1 Deformation Monitoring and Analysis
ISPRS via WG 6.1 Deformation Monitoring and Analysis
Other cooperation with global organisations:
IABMAS via WG 6.4 Engineering Surveying Outreach
ICOLD via WG 6.4 Engineering Surveying Outreach
ISHMII WG 6.1 Deformation Monitoring and Analysis & WG 6.2
Dynamic Structural Monitoring
ISO via WG 6.1 Deformation Monitoring and Analysis & WG 6.2
Dynamic Structural
Monitoring
ITA via WG 6.4 Engineering Surveying Outreach
Commission Officers
Commission Chair
Prof. Dr. Werner Lienhart
werner.lienhart[at]tugraz.at
Commission Vice Chair
Prof. Dr. Vassilis Gikas
vgikas[at]central.ntua.gr
Chair of Working Group 6.1
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Niemeier
W.Niemeier[at]tu-bs.de
Chair of Working Group 6.2
Assoc. Prof. Panos Psimoulis
Panagiotis.Psimoulis[at]nottingham.ac.uk
Chair of Working Group 6.3
Peter Bauer
peter.bauer[at]tugraz.at
Chair of Working Group 6.4
Craig Hancock, PhD
C.M.Hancock[at]lboro.ac.uk
Commission 6 Chair
Werner Lienhart
werner.lienhart[at]tugraz.at
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