Sensor integration for built heritage diagnostics: From aerial and terrestrial photogrammetry to simultaneous localization and mapping technologies

The management of the built environment requires the use of advanced integrated survey tools, capable of acquiring and postprocessing significant quantities of data in multiscalar mode in a short time. The digital models and the two-dimensional products deriving from this process make it possible to manage the subsequent phases of knowledge and analysis. The integration of different sensors favors the knowledge of the artifacts and of the urban and territorial context in which they are inserted. On the other hand, the conservation of the landscape and the historical and architectural value requires accurate and reliable documentation guaranteed by procedures for verifying and validating the data acquired with the different technologies. To this end, recent digital developments play a relevant role due to increased computational capabilities in many areas of engineering and architecture. This chapter provides an overview of the potential of multiscale integrated survey techniques.