The determination of landforms of the terrain depends on a number of procedures. In general, all these procedures can be subdivided into two groups. The first group consists of measurement activities related to obtaining real-life data. The second group comprises operations related to the processing of results, in order to obtain the imaging. The measurements of the terrain and its landforms are discrete. Cartographic images are continuous. In order to get a map of 3D measurements, contours need to be interpolated. In this publication, four of the many interpolation methods were selected for presentation: Global Polynomial, Inverse Distance, Radial Basis Function, and Kriging. The example of the measurement results for a syncline (a subsidence trough) is used in order to illustrate the comparison between the modes of operation of particular methods.

The objective of the study was to analyse of measurement of moving objects by means of the Total Station (TS) method and Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS). The subject of the tests was the “Polinka” gondola cable car over the Odra river in Wrocław. Research covered the basic and control measurements. The results of observations of suspension ropes’ deflection of the cable car in kinematical state were compared for various degrees of loading. During the motion of the gondola, the shape of the pull and supporting rope is subject to constant shifts. TS measurements are restricted solely to registering interim positioning of the points of pull lines (measurement of static objects). Laser scanner measurements may reveal changes in the location of many points (i.e. drive lines, catenaries or carriages) within a unit of time. The tests were designed to show whether it is possible to capture the shifts in geometry of the moving object (mainly by means of the TLS methods - in the course of constant vibrating of lines and during the movement of gondolas). The analyses indicated that it is possible to capture the changes of geometry by means of the TLS method, however, upon strictly specified measurement conditions.

Many factors cause the deformation of slender structures, such as the weather conditions that significantly affect their geometry. Surveys of such structures are critical for deformation monitoring and, therefore, general safety. Modern surveying methods like electronic tacheometry (ET), Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), laser scanning (LiDAR, terrestrial (TLS) and mobile (MLS)), and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) provide means for accurate and effective monitoring. Integrating surveying technologies paves the way for an exhaustive approach to slender structure monitoring and provides accurate data to detect deformation and intervene early. Electricity transmission poles exemplify such structures. The poles need to be monitored regularly to ensure operating stability and safety. The article reports a survey of tubular steel pole deflection angles at various times of the year and under various weather conditions. The surveys were accompanied by temperature measurements and a solar irradiance analysis. The maximum horizontal deflection of the pole top was found to be approximately 27 cm over a single sunny day, highlighting the dynamic nature of solar influence. The analyses yielded conclusions regarding measurements of slender steel structures. Specifically, the study confirmed that solar irradiance can cause short-term deflections of the pole top by up to 27 cm in a single day, and uncertainty increases proportionally with structural dynamics. Consequently, recording precise time and weather conditions during surveys is essential to improve rapid, time-constrained measurement accuracy and the operational safety assessment of slender steel structures. This should improve the measurement accuracy and operational safety of slender steel structures.

The article presents an analysis and comparison of geodetic methods used for the measurement and monitoring of slender structures such as chimneys, towers, cooling towers, and power line poles. Due to their slender geometry and considerable height, these structures are highly sensitive to environmental influences, including wind, temperature variations, and ground settlement. The study discusses the evolution of measurement techniques – from classical tacheometry and levelling, through satellite-based GPS and GNSS systems, to modern terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) and digital photogrammetry. Recent research indicates integrating multiple surveying methods, known as a hybrid approach, guarantees improved accuracy and reliability of measurement results. The measurement of verticality of the Wrocław Iglica, a representative slender structure, is an example of the use of the described methods. Due to its geometry and the conditions in the field, a tacheometric survey was conducted to determine vertical axis deviations under different sunlight conditions. The results confirmed noticeable deflections of the structure’s top throughout the day, demonstrating the influence of thermal factors on its stability. The analysis of both literature and measurement shows that the most effective approach to monitoring slender structures is the integration of data from various geodetic techniques. Such hybrid monitoring ensures a comprehensive assessment of the structural stability and durability of slender constructions over time. The results highlight the importance of continuous geodetic monitoring as a key factor in ensuring the safety and reliability of engineering structures.

This paper presents the results of laboratory research regarding the influence of the structure and color of decorative renders on the accuracy of measurements conducted using Leica ScanStation P40 terrestrial laser scanning (TLS). The study examined whether and how differences in render structure and color (brightness) affect the quality of data acquired via TLS. The color and brightness measurements of the test fields were performed using a flatbed scanner. The RGB color and luminance analysis of the test fields were conducted using the software “ImageJ” version 1.54g. The measurements were conducted for light-colored renders (average brightness from 143 to 243). The research found no clear relationship established between the type and color of render and the accuracy of laser scanning. The results indicate increased measurement dispersion with decreasing render brightness. It was found that the standard deviation of distance measurements for Scratched-type renders is approximately 26% higher than for Roughcast-type render.

Geometric monitoring of slender structures in power transmission infrastructure, particularly steel lattice towers of high-voltage lines, is an important engineering surveying task due to their susceptibility to environmental loads and their role in operational safety. This study compares the determination of the geometric axes of lattice transmission towers using classical tachymetric measurements and terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) performed with a compact Leica BLK360 scanner. The objective was to assess the consistency of these two methods in determining planimetric axis deviation, and to evaluate how the quality of point cloud registration impacts the results. The analysis was carried out at fourteen height levels, with deviations referred to the lowest measurement level. The TLS data were evaluated using registration quality parameters (overlap, strength, cloud-to-cloud, and global bundle error) obtained in Cyclone REGISTER 360 PLUS. Registration was performed in cloud-to-cloud mode without the use of control points. The results revealed significant discrepancies between the two methods, with local deviations exceeding 100 mm. The maximum planimetric axis deviation derived from TLS reached 140 mm, whereas the corresponding value obtained from tachymetry did not exceed 44 mm at the same inclination. Increasing differences were observed in the upper parts of the structure. These findings suggest that TLS measurements taken without stable geometric control cannot be relied upon to accurately assess axis deviation. In practice, combining the geometric stability of tachymetric measurements with the spatial completeness of TLS data offers the most effective solution for precise axis evaluation and comprehensive geometric documentation.