Application of terrestrial laser scanning for the geometric characterization of discontinuities in limestone quarry faces

    Maciej Cerekwicki Info
    Magdalena Cerekwicka Info
    Rita Machete Info
    Ana Paula Falcão Info
    Alexandre B. Gonçalves Info
    Paweł Sikora Info
    Matilde Costa e Silva Info
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3846/gac.2026.22897

Abstract

This work investigates the effect of Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) configuration on measuring the geometric properties that characterize discontinuities in limestone quarry faces. While the application of laser scanning technologies to acquire the 3D geometry of quarries is well established, the extent of differences in acquired parameter values that depend on the equipment’s parametrization is usually overlooked. We provide a discussion of the quantitative evaluation of discontinuity parameters (dip direction, dip angle, aperture, spacing, persistence, roughness, and deepness) based on the configuration of the TLS device (resolution, accuracy, and quality) and its application on a limestone quarry case study. Data from the case study show that not all discontinuity parameters need the same point cloud density. Spacing and dip/dip direction are highly consistent across the different point clouds, while aperture and persistence show greater sensitivity to resolution and scan position.

 

Keywords:

terrestrial laser scanning, LiDAR, discontinuities, geometric characterization, limestone quarry, point cloud

How to Cite

Cerekwicki, M., Cerekwicka, M., Machete, R., Falcão, A. P., Gonçalves, A. B., Sikora, P., & Costa e Silva, M. (2026). Application of terrestrial laser scanning for the geometric characterization of discontinuities in limestone quarry faces. Geodesy and Cartography, 52(2), 90–98. https://doi.org/10.3846/gac.2026.22897

Share

Published in Issue
June 4, 2026
Abstract Views
0

References

Ashmole, I., & Motloung, M. (2008, August 5–8). Dimension stone: The latest trends in exploration and production technology. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Surface Mining (pp. 35–70). The Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg.

Bhatla, A., Choe, S. Y., Fierro, O., & Leite, F. (2012). Evaluation of accuracy of as-built 3D modeling from photos taken by handheld digital cameras. Automation in Construction, 28, 116–127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2012.06.003

Brady, B. H. G., & Brown, E. T. (2007). Rock mechanics: For underground mining. Springer.

Cacciari, P. P., & Futai, M. M. (2016). Mapping and characterization of rock discontinuities in a tunnel using 3D terrestrial laser scanning. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, 75, 223–237. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-015-0748-3

Cao, B., Zhu, X., Lin, Z., Li, Y., Yang, Z., & Lu, G. (2025). Semi-automatic measurement for rock mass discontinuity orientation, trace and spacing from point clouds. Measurement, 246, Article 116688. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measurement.2025.116688

Deliormanli, A. H., Maerz, N. H., & Otoo, J. (2014). Using terrestrial 3D laser scanning and optical methods to determine orientations of discontinuities at a granite quarry. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 66, 41–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2013.12.007

Faro. (n.d.). User manuals and quick start guides for the Focus Laser Scanner. https://knowledge.faro.com/Hardware/Focus/Focus/User_Manuals_and_Quick_Start_Guides_for_the_Focus_Laser_Scanner?mt-learningpath=focus_downloads

Fisher, J. E., Shakoor, A., & Watts, C. F. (2014). Comparing discontinuity orientation data collected by terrestrial LiDAR and transit compass methods. Engineering Geology, 181, 78–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2014.08.014

Gu, F., & Xie, H. (2013). Status and development trend of 3D laser scanning technology in the mining field. Proceedings of the International Conference on Remote Sensing, Environment and Transportation Engineering (RSETE 2013), 405–408. Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/rsete.2013.99

Hencher, S. R., & Richards, L. R. (2015). Assessing the shear strength of rock discontinuities at laboratory and field scales. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 48(3), 883–905. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-014-0633-6

Hudson, J. A., & Harrison, J. P. (1997). Engineering rock mechanics: An introduction to the principles. Pergamon.

International Society for Rock Mechanics. (1978). International society for rock mechanics commission on standardization of laboratory and field tests: Suggested methods for the quantitative description of discontinuities in rock masses. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences & Geomechanics Abstracts, 15(6), 319–368. https://doi.org/10.1016/0148-9062(78)91472-9

Kemeny, J., & Post, R. (2003). Estimating three-dimensional rock discontinuity orientation from digital images of fracture traces. Computers & Geosciences, 29(1), 65–77. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0098-3004(02)00106-1

Lange, C., & Polthier, K. (2005). Anisotropic smoothing of point sets. Computer Aided Geometric Design, 22(7), 680–692. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cagd.2005.06.010

Lisjak, A., Figi, D., & Grasselli, G. (2014). Fracture development around deep underground excavations: Insights from FDEM modelling. Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 6(6), 493–505. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2014.09.003

Long, N. Q., Buczek, M. M., Hien, L. P., Szlapińsk, S., Nam, B., Nghia, N. V., & Cuong, C. (2018). Accuracy assessment of mine walls’ surface models derived from terrestrial laser scanning. International Journal of Coal Science & Technology, 5, 328–338. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40789-018-0218-1

Ma, L., Zuo, C., Qiu, H., Ma, H., Yang, M., Zhou, C., & Qian, J. (2024). A multilevel classification strategy for the identification of discontinuities from 3D point clouds of complicated rock surfaces. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 57, 10611–10630. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-024-04109-9

Mastrorocco, G., Salvini, R., & Vanneschi, C. (2018). Fracture mapping in challenging environment: a 3D virtual reality approach combining terrestrial LiDAR and high definition images. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment 77, 691–707. https://doi.org/10.1007/S10064-017-1030-7

Mukupa, W., Roberts, G. W., Hancock, C. M., & Al-Manasir, K. (2015). A review of the use of terrestrial laser scanning application for change detection and deformation monitoring of structures. Survey Review, 49(353), 99–116. https://doi.org/10.1080/00396265.2015.1133039

Pătrăucean, V., Armeni, I., Nahangi, M., Yeung, J., Brilakis, I., & Haas, C. (2015). State of research in automatic as-built modelling. Advanced Engineering Informatics, 29(2), 162–171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aei.2015.01.001

Rey, J., Martínez, J., Vera, P., Ruiz, N., Cañadas, F., & Montiel, V. (2015). Ground-penetrating radar method used for the characterization of ornamental stone quarries. Construction and Building Materials, 77, 439–447. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.12.076

Schultz, R. (2019). Geologic fracture mechanics. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316996737

Tang, P., Huber, D., Akinci, B., Lipman, R., & Lytle, A. (2010). Automatic reconstruction of as-built building information models from laser-scanned point clouds: A review of related techniques. Automation in Construction, 19(7), 829–843. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2010.06.007

Vosselman, G., & Maas, H.-G. (2010). Airborne and terrestrial laser scanning. Whittles Publishing.

Zanzi, L., Hojat, A., Ranjbar, H., Karimi-Nasab, S., Azadi, A., & Arosio, D. (2017). GPR measurements to detect major discontinuities at Cheshmeh-Shirdoosh limestone quarry, Iran. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, 78, 743–752. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-017-1153-x

Zhang, L. (2017). Rock discontinuities. In Engineering properties of rocks (2nd. ed., pp. 81–136). Butterworth-Heinemann. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-802833-9.00004-3

Zhang, W., Lan, Z., Ma, Z., Tan, C., Que, J., Wang, F., & Cao, C. (2020). Determination of statistical discontinuity persistence for a rock mass characterized by non-persistent fractures. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 126, Article 104177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2019.104177

View article in other formats

CrossMark check

CrossMark logo

Published

2026-06-04

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Cerekwicki, M., Cerekwicka, M., Machete, R., Falcão, A. P., Gonçalves, A. B., Sikora, P., & Costa e Silva, M. (2026). Application of terrestrial laser scanning for the geometric characterization of discontinuities in limestone quarry faces. Geodesy and Cartography, 52(2), 90–98. https://doi.org/10.3846/gac.2026.22897

Share