New technology to have ‘stereo’ view

KANPUR: Experts at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) here have some good news for structural engineers and bio-medics. An institute team is working on a new three-dimensional photo-grammetric technology which will ensure accurate monitoring and stereo view of concrete structures as well as the human body.The technology will enable experts in predicting landslides and possible damages in huge structures like dams, bridges and monuments of national importance with the help of a high resolution digital camera.Besides, it will have tremendous application in bio-medical science. The existing photo-grammetric system is based on a two-dimensional (length and width) concept, while the one under development will ensure a three-dimensional (length, width and depth) view of an object.The two experts spearheading the ambitious project — Development of digital close range photo-grammetric system for monitoring of engineering structures — are Dr Onkar Dixit and Dr RS Tiwari of the civil engineering department at the institute. Elaborating, they said: The system will provide experts an accurate and clear view of internal deformities in concrete structures like buildings, dams, bridges and tunnels, there by simplifying corrective measures.Dr Dixit said the technology will be of great help in minimising rail and mine mishaps. In fact, officials from these two departments have contacted the institute with queries about the system.According to Dr Dixit, the project involves monitoring of faults in engineering structures by having a close range terrestrial photographs with the help of high-resolution digital cameras. The digital photographs acquired by these cameras will be further processed and analysed using image processing and geometric informatic system (GIS) software. Regarding the bio-medical application of the new technology, Dr Tiwari said doctors will be able to get a stereo view (three-dimensional) of the human body with the help of specialised cameras. It will greatly help them in having a clear idea about the magnitude of a deformity, specially the orthopaedic one, he added.