Semi-automatic modeling of buildings from digital surface models

Semi-automatic building detection and extraction is a topic of growing interest due to its potential application in such areas as cadastral information systems, cartographic revision, and GIS. One of the existing strategies for building extraction is to use a digital surface model (DSM) represented by a cloud of known points on a visible surface, and comprising features such as trees or buildings. Conventional surface modeling using stereo-matching techniques has its drawbacks, the most obvious being the effect of building height on perspective, shadows, and occlusions. The laser scanner, a recently developed technological tool, can collect accurate DSMs with high spatial frequency. This paper presents a methodology for semi-automatic modeling of buildings which combines a region-growing algorithm with line-detection methods applied over the DSM.

Response surface models to predict broiler performance and applications for economic analysis

A study was carried out to elaborate response surface models using broiler performance data recovered from literature in order to predict performance and elaborate economic analyses. Nineteen studies published between 1995 and 2005 were retrieved using the systematic literature review method. Weight gain and feed conversion data were collected from eight studies that fulfilled the pre-established inclusion criteria, and a response surface model was adjusted using crude protein, environmental temperature, and age as independent variables. The models produced for weight gain (r² = 0.93) and feed conversion (r² = 0.85) were accurate, precise, and not biased. Protein levels, environmental temperature and age showed linear and quadratic effects on weight gain and feed conversion. There was no interaction between protein level and environmental temperature. Age and crude protein showed interaction for weight gain and feed conversion, whereas interaction between age and temperature was detected only for weight gain. It was possible to perform economic analyses to determine maximum profit as a function of the variables that were included in the model. It was concluded that the response surface models are effective to predict the performance of broiler chickens and allow the elaboration of economic analyses to optimize profit.

Theoretical analysis of the energy levels induced by oxygen vacancies and the doping process (Co, Cu and Zn) on SnO2 (110) surface models

Density functional calculation at B3LYP level was employed to study the surface oxygen vacancies and the doping process of Co, Cu and Zn on SnO2 (110) surface models. Large clusters, based on (SnO2)(15) models, were selected to simulate the oxidized (Sn15O30), half-reduced (Sn15O29) and the reduced (Sn15O28) surfaces. The doping process was considered on the reduced surfaces: Sn13Co2O28, Sn13Cu2O28 and Sn13Zn2O28. The results are analyzed and discussed based on a calculation of the energy levels along the bulk band gap region, determined by a projection of the monoelectron level structure on to the atomic basis set and by the density of states. This procedure enables one to distinguish the states coming from the bulk, the oxygen vacancies and the doping process, on passing from an oxidized to a reduced surface, missing bridge oxygen atoms generate electronic levels along the band gap region, associated with 5s/5p of four-/five-fold Sn and 2p of in-plane O centers located on the exposed surface, which is in agreement with previous theoretical and experimental investigations. The formation energy of one and two oxygen vacancies is 3.0 and 3.9 eV, respectively. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

An ab initio study of oxygen vacancies and doping process of Nb and Cr atoms on TiO2 (110) surface models

We theoretically investigated how the formation of oxygen vacancies and the addition of niobium and chromium atoms as dopants modify the varistor properties of TiO2. The calculations were carried out at the HF level using a contracted basis set, developed by Huzinaga et al.. to represent the atomic centers on the (110) surface for the large (TiO2)(15) cluster model. The change of the values for the net atomic charges and band gap after oxygen vacancy formation and the presence of dopants in the lattice are analyzed and discussed. It is shown that the formation of oxygen vacancies decreases the band gap while an opposite effect is found when dopants are located in the reduced surface. The theoretical results are compared with available experimental data. A plausible explanation of the varistor behavior of this system is proposed. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Fractional polynomial response surface models

Second-order polynomial models have been used extensively to approximate the relationship between a response variable and several continuous factors. However, sometimes polynomial models do not adequately describe the important features of the response surface. This article describes the use of fractional polynomial models. It is shown how the models can be fitted, an appropriate model selected, and inference conducted. Polynomial and fractional polynomial models are fitted to two published datasets, illustrating that sometimes the fractional polynomial can give as good a fit to the data and much more plausible behavior between the design points than the polynomial model. © 2005 American Statistical Association and the International Biometric Society.

Building roof contour extraction from LiDAR data

This paper proposes a method for the automatic extraction of building roof contours from a LiDAR-derived digital surface model (DSM). The method is based on two steps. First, to detect aboveground objects (buildings, trees, etc.), the DSM is segmented through a recursive splitting technique followed by a region merging process. Vectorization and polygonization are used to obtain polyline representations of the detected aboveground objects. Second, building roof contours are identified from among the aboveground objects by optimizing a Markov-random-field-based energy function that embodies roof contour attributes and spatial constraints. Preliminary results have shown that the proposed methodology works properly.

Geração automática de modelos digitais de superfícies utilizando múltiplas imagens

Pós-graduação em Ciências Cartográficas - FCT

Avaliação de uma técnica para geração de modelos digitais de superfície utilizando múltiplas imagens

The efficient generation of digital surface model (DSM) from optical images has been explored for many years and the results are dependent on the project characteristics (image resolution, size of overlap between images, among others), of the image matching techniques and the computer capabilities for the image processing. The points generated from image matching have a direct impact on the quality of the DSM and, consequently, influence the need for the costly step of edition. This work aims at assessing experimentally a technique for DSM generation by matching of multiple images (two or more) simultaneously using the vertical line locus method (VLL). The experiments were performed with six images of the urban area of Presidente Prudente/SP, with a ground sample distance (GSD) of approximately 7cm. DSMs of a small area with homogeneous texture, repetitive pattern, moving objects including shadows and trees were generated to assess the quality of the developed procedure. This obtained DSM was compared to cloud points acquired by LASER (Light Amplification by Simulated Emission of Radiation) scanning as wells as with a DSM generated by Leica Photogrammetric Suite (LPS) software. The accomplished results showed that the MDS generated by the implemented technique has a geometric quality compatible with the reference models.

Classificação numérica e modelo digital de elevação na caracterização espacial de atributos dos solos

One of needs of modern agriculture is the prediction of spatial variability of soil properties at more detailed scales for sustainable management and optimization of management practices. The mathematical model associated with knowledge of variability of soil attributes and mapping of relief forms has helped in agricultural planning. In this regard the aim of this study was to characterize the spatial variability of physical and chemical properties of Oxisols and Ultisols using numerical classification and the digital elevation model. Two distinct landforms: convex for the Oxisol (158 ha) and linear for the Ultisol (172 ha). 53 samples from the Oxisol and 57 samples from the Ultisol were taken. Multivariate analysis of clusters of attributes studied from their euclidean distances was performed. This analysis by dendograms along with digital elevation models for different soils characterized was more homogeneous in Ultisol groups, and less homogeneous for the Oxisol in convex landform. These quantitative methods showed that the landforms conditioned the spatial pattern of soil attributes.

Remote sensing analysis of depositional landforms in alluvial settings: Method development and application to the Taquari megafan, Pantanal (Brazil)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

TRICUT: a program to clip triangle meshes using the rapid and triangle libraries and the visualization toolkit

An efficient technique to cut polygonal meshes as a step in the geometric modeling of topographic and geological data has been developed. In boundary represented models of outcropping strata and faulted horizons polygonal meshes often intersect each other. TRICUT determines the line of intersection and re-triangulates the area of contact. Along this line the mesh is split in two or more parts which can be selected for removal. The user interaction takes place in the 3D-model space. The intersection, selection and removal are under graphic control. The visualization of outcropping geological structures in digital terrain models is improved by determining intersections against a slightly shifted terrain model. Thus, the outcrop line becomes a surface which overlaps the terrain in its initial position. The area of this overlapping surface changes with respect to the strike and dip of the structure, the morphology and the offset. Some applications of TRICUT on different real datasets are shown. TRICUT is implemented in C+ + using the Visualization Toolkit in conjunction with the RAPID and TRIANGLE libraries. The program runs under LINUX and UNIX using the MESA OpenGL library. This work gives an example of solving a complex 3D geometric problem by integrating available robust public domain software. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Detecção de áreas de oclusão para geração de ortoimagem verdadeira utilizando dados LASER

Pós-graduação em Ciências Cartográficas - FCT

Predição de sombras de edifícios sobre vias urbanas com base em um modelo digital de elevações e dados de imagens aéreas de alta-resolução

Pós-graduação em Ciências Cartográficas - FCT

Controle de qualidade aplicado na modelagem digital de terreno

Pós-graduação em Ciências Cartográficas - FCT

Mudanças morfológicas na evolução do megaleque do Taquari: uma análise com base em dados orbitais

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)