Manuel José León-Bonillo

The cloister from the old monastery of San Francisco (Cazalla de la Sierra, Seville) has been suffering a series of remodeling transformations from its original construction in the 16th century to the current day. Thus, a study of building archaeology needed to be accomplished by using photogrammetric techniques by SfM (Structure from Motion) and laser scanning or TLS (Terrestrial Laser Scanning), which ensure the geometric exactitude and high resolution of the facings surveying. For that, over 500 images were taken for the 4 existing facings (about 78 lineal meters) from which a photogrammetric model was obtained of over 50 million polygons, as well as a cloud of over 40 million points from the laser scanning. It can be concluded that by using the techniques of SfM, the task of documenting, analyzing and studying the facings of the historical building in order to establish its evolutional process gains not only precision and exactitude but also opens the possibility to go further by obtaining products that are capable of helping us conserve, restore and protect the historical heritage, as well as generate the 3D virtualizations planned for the diffusion.

The discovery of a Roman mosaic from the 2nd century AD in Cantillana (Seville) generated interest and the need for exhaustive documentation, so that it could be recreated with real measurements in a 3D model, not only to obtain an exact replica, but with the intention of analyzing and studying the behavior of two main geomatics techniques. Thus, the objective of this study was the comparative analysis of both techniques: near object photogrammetry by SfM and terrestrial laser scanner or TLS. The aim of this comparison was to assess the use of both techniques in archaeological excavations. Special attention was paid to the accuracy and precision of measurements and models, especially in altimetry. Mosaics are frequently relocated from their original location to be exhibited in museums or for restoration work, after which they are returned to their original place. Therefore, the altimetric situation is of special relevance. To analyze the accuracy and errors of each technique, a total station was used to establish the real values of the ground control points (GCP) on which the comparisons of both methods were to be made. It can be concluded that the SfM technique was the most accurate and least limiting for use in semi-buried archaeological excavations. This manuscript opens new perspectives for the use of SfM-based photogrammetry in archaeological excavations.

In this study, software was developed for the improvement of professional skills in topographic-surveying subjects taught in engineering degree programs. This learning tool is focused on developing the skill involved in virtual rod reading through the telescope of topographic equipment, attempting to completely substitute a traditional practical class (laboratory and field work). For assessment of the developed tool, two experimental student units were created by a process of homogenization of knowledge and later subdivided into groups. The first experimental unit was trained traditionally in handling topographic equipment. The second unit was trained virtually with the developed software. Results obtained for each group showed a high level of learning and revealed characteristics that differentiate the acquired professional skills. Because the effectiveness of reaching pedagogical goals with virtual training was demonstrated, it was concluded that the developed software could be substituted for field practice, offering a viable alternative in situations where there are insufficient economic resources for the teaching of topographic surveying.

The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of different learning strategies for 3D terrain interpretation and data acquisition by engineering students. According to the experimental design, students received homogeneous training, followed by differential training, which divided the students into three statistically homogeneous groups where each group was subject to a different learning process: (1) virtual environment learning; (2) learning using physical scale models; and (3) a theoretical class. Afterwards, the students were evaluated using two tests under real field conditions. Results were obtained for the following study variables: field-test scores and whether or not the student was repeating the course. The students who learned using physical scale models obtained the best scores; their scores were significantly higher than those of students using virtual environment or a theoretical class. These findings open up new perspectives on the teaching of surveying with respect to other teaching methods.

Esta tesis doctoral es consecuencia de un trabajo previo de investigación de acción de aula, realizado a nivel de alumnos universitarios, resultando como parte de las posibles perspectivas futuras, la indagación de la influencia de las Nuevas Tecnologías en el profesorado de la asignatura de Topografía (León y Aguaded, 2009). A esta ampliación o ramificación del estudio primigenio, hay que añadirle la adaptación de la asignatura al EEES y su posterior implantación como asignatura de grado para el curso 2011/12. La investigación se ha llevado a cabo a partir del estudio de casos, concretamente de dos profesores. Destacamos que se ha realizado a nivel universitario, en un área de conocimiento de la ingeniería, donde los profesores se encuentran por su formación técnica, alejados del conocimiento teórico de la Enseñanza de las Ciencias.