Development of a new digital photogrammetric technique for characterization of rock joint orientation

A new algorithm was developed to interpret joint orientations from a pair of images of the rock slope to overcome the limitation of photographing direction as in the parallel stereophotogrammetric system and to maximize the range of image measurement. This algorithm can be regarded as a modified multistage convergent photographing system. To determine camera parameters in the perspective projection equation that are the major elements in the photogrammetric technique, a new concept was developed by using three ground control points and single ground guide point. This method could be considered to be very simple when compared with other existing methods which use a number of ground control points and complicated analysis processes.