Multisensor and Multiscale Data Integration Method of TLS and GPR for Three-Dimensional Detailed Virtual...

Area of Science:

• Geophysics
• Geodesy
• Geological Surveying

Background:

• Integrating Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) offers multisensor, multiscale spatial data for comprehensive surficial and subsurface analysis.
• A reliable, systematic methodology for TLS and GPR data integration is currently lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a methodology for integrating TLS and GPR data for detailed, three-dimensional (3D) virtual reconstruction.
• To enable comprehensive interpretation and analysis of surficial and subsurface information.

Main Methods:

• Simultaneous acquisition of GPR data and high-precision Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) coordinates.
• Development of a time synchronization algorithm to merge GPR traces with positional information.
• Transformation of GPR data into dense point clouds using an improved electromagnetic wave propagation model.
• Merging of TLS-based and GPR-derived point clouds into a single dataset via coordinate transformation.

Main Results:

• The proposed methodology was assessed using TLS and GPR surveys on the Litang fault.
• 3D reconstruction of the fault scarp's surface and subsurface geometry was achieved.
• Accuracy assessment using 40 common points showed consistency, with differences within 2 cm (x, y) and up to 5 cm (z).
• Standard deviations for common points were 0.9 cm (x), 0.8 cm (y), and 2.9 cm (z), indicating good agreement between TLS and GPR data.

Conclusions:

• The developed methodology provides a feasible approach for integrating TLS and GPR data.
• The integrated data successfully displays realistic 3D surface and subsurface geometry.
• The study demonstrates good consistency between GPR-derived and TLS-based point clouds, paving the way for applications in archaeology, urban infrastructure, and geological investigations.