Terrestrial laser scanners (TLS) are widely employed in structural health monitoring (SHM) of large objects due to their superior capabilities compared to traditional geodetic methods. TLS provides rapid and detailed data on the geometric properties of objects, enabling various types of analyses. In this study, TLS was utilized to examine the minaret of the Bjelave Mosque, located in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The inclination of the minaret was assessed using principal component analysis (PCA) and linear regression (LR) applied to sampled data from four edges of the minaret’s body. The geodetically determined inclination values were used as input data for subsequent static and pushover analyses conducted in DIANA FEA, where the minaret was modeled. The analyses indicate that the inclination increases stress and strain, leading to larger cracks and reduced structural capacity, as demonstrated by the pushover analysis curves. This study highlights the combined impact of structural inclination, water infiltration, and settlement on the minaret’s integrity and proposes these findings as a basis for future maintenance and strengthening measures.

Single-beam echo sounders have gained popularity for various applications due to their compact dimensions, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness. The question that often arises among the users is whether these devices can fulfill the necessary accuracy requirements. This paper concentrates on assessing the accuracy that can be achieved using a single-beam echo sounder. An accuracy assessment was performed by comparing the depths derived from the 3D model created from the single-beam echo sounder data to those obtained through more accurate and independent method (tacheometric surveying) in the test area. Accurate depth determination was achieved through trigonometric leveling, employing a specific methodology that allows for precise depth measurements up to 4.5 meters. The assessment results were compared to the vertical accuracy requirements for surveying and mapping in shallow waters, recommended by the International Hydrographic Organization. The results indicate that, with a 95% probability, the depths determined by the single-beam echo sounder meet the total vertical uncertainty (TVU) requirements specified by the S-44 standard for Order 1a survey.

Deformation analysis is a complex procedure where, based on several periodic geodetic measurements, displacements of points in the geodetic network are detected and determined. On this basis, movements and deformations of the built and natural environment are detected. The article discusses the Squared Msplit estimation, an extension of the maximum likelihood method, which is one of the procedures used in deformation analysis. The equations of the Squared Msplit estimation are derived and the method is presented on 2D geodetic network case study. The effectiveness of the presented method is compared with the results of other deformation analysis approaches performed with the same numerical example. The results obtained using the Squared Msplit estimation slightly differ from the simulated values, with the maximum discrepancy being 11.5 mm at unstable points and 10.4 mm at stable points, which are satisfactory results. The findings indicate that the Squared Msplit estimation provides results comparable to other methods. Therefore, it is considered suitable for deformation analysis and can be regarded as one of the applicable procedures in this field.

By using specialized geodetic networks, the best available instruments and methods, geodetic engineers try to assess stability of infrastructure objects. When stability of tall, slender objects is inspected, the main stability criterion is the object’s inclination, and some common geodetic approaches in structural health monitoring (SHM) cannot be used in this case. The challenge is greater if the objects do not have clearly defined edges but have cylindrical shape, which is common in architecture (industrial chimneys, silos, water towers, and wind turbine pillars). In this research, an algebraic circle fitting, two-dimensional (2D) linear regression, and bootstrapping model were used to assess inclination of an object from point cloud observations obtained from a terrestrial laser scanner (TLS). It is not always possible to observe the whole object of interest, so in this research, various cases regarding distribution of observations on the object’s surface were analyzed. The testing data sets were simulated by using MATLAB software, but also real-world data obtained by geodetic TLS was used to test the proposed model. The results showed that the proposed approach can give quality estimation of the object’s inclination for cases in which only a part of the object is observed.