Detection of structural pathologies in buildings using architectural photogrammetry

Environmental pollution and natural degradation of materials cause deterioration in buildings, initiating pathological processes that require conservation actions. Architectural Photogrammetry will be discussed as a tool to identify different pathologies on buildings and to accurately measure deflections. A photographic study was conducted of the most common deflections on reinforced concrete structures, with samples of different ages and locations exposed to various environments within Holguin Province in Cuba to detect deterioration characteristics, causes and possible treatments. A comparative analysis of other common methods and instruments currently used to measure structural pathologies highlights the efficiency of architectural photogrammetry. Photogrammetry is suitable to study the most common pathologies, their causes, and potential solutions. These include: cracks, fissures, deflection in beams, footing settlement, slenderness in columns, and more. In addition to the scope and efficiency of photogrammetry, this technology also facilitates studying inaccessible points on large elements. The instantaneous recording of accurate data about physical objects gives photogrammetry advantages over conventional structural analysis methods.