Selected methods of terrain data collecting and processing aimed for reconstruction purposes of sacral building - one naved church

Modern technologies enable high-precision collecting of field data and its processing in order to create documentation, perform various analyses or reconstruction of buildings that are an important part of cultural heritage. This paper presents procedures and methods implemented on two devastated single-nave churches at the territory of Serbia, which have been categorized as monuments of high national importance. For the purpose of revitalization of monuments devastated due to their long time exposure to various environmental influences and wars, data acquisition was performed for two religious historical buildings which date back to the period of a great founder, dynasty ruler Stefan Lazarević (14-15th century). Both of these churches represent cultural heritage of Serbia. Data related to the Church of the Presentation of the Virgin in the village of Slavkovica near Ljig was obtained through the photogrammetric method of data acquisition, while the Church of St. George in the village of Nemenikuće on Mount Kosmaj was a subject of terrestrial laser scanning (TLS). Analyses of physical properties of material samples taken in the field were done as well. The resulting 3D models of the current state of the structures in the form of point clouds were used to perform various analyses (geometrical, architectural and construction style characteristics and construction techniques), whereby modern instruments and data processing software as well as graphics software for 3D modeling were employed. Based on the models of the current state of the structures and comprehensive analyses (historical, style, geometrical and proportional) virtual 3D models of the complete structures were created as conceptual proposals for rebuilding the devastated structures. For the church in Slavkovica this material was used for delivering a final architectural-construction design. For the purpose of creating a 3D model of some cultural monument using modern methods, field data acquisition significantly differs from classical methods of measuring and delivering technical documentation (blueprints, views, sections, etc.). Current and indispensable procedures nowadays are photogrammetry (close-range and aerial) and laser scanning (terrestrial) which give a point cloud as a result. This point cloud is further on processed using appropriate software and serves as a base for creating documentation. The additional quality of the data obtained this way is the possibility of creating virtual 3D models accompanied by animations which can be used for historical, educational, scientific, cultural and informational purposes