Illustrated Specifications for Stone/Masonry Wall Documentation

Using Rectified Photography and Plotting Technique

1.0 Objectives:
To document and record the existing physical condition of the
stone/masonry wall, including appearance, defects and damages, measurements,
deformations and other physical attributes; and, to document and record the extent of the
existing structure/s for restoration and preservation purposes (physical inventory).
2.0 Methodology: Measured Survey and Documentation of Existing Condition of the
Wall in addition to Material Sampling and Laboratory Analyses.
3.0 Technique:
Rectified Photography and Plotting This is an improvised
technique to be employed in the technical documentation of existing structures in the
absence of photogrammetric equipment.
4.0 Equipment/materials needed:

Digital camera or 35mm SLR camera with

fixed macro lens; tripod/clamp pod, cable
release, level attachment; color negative film
of appropriate speed rating, and other
necessary accessories

Video Camera and accessories

Flashlight and batteries
Desktop and/or Notebook PC with MS
Windows OS, Photo editing, Imaging,
AutoCAD and CD burning software; Flatbed
Scanner, CD Writer/Rewriter, inkjet printer or
plotter (Optional: Modem and Internet
connection)

Nylon string (red) or Grid crosshair markers,

concrete/copper nails, basic tools
Measuring Tape (metric), One-meter scale
bar (metric), 10 and 20-centimeter scale bars
for smaller objects, plumb bob, marking chalk

Metal scaffold and decking system

Safety goggles, gas mask, construction

helmet, work gloves, harness or safety belt,
rope, safety shoes, work clothes
Billboards
Fence, barricade bars
Paper, pen, pencil, clipboard, other supplies
and miscellaneous materials needed
Clear plastic sheets, permanent marking pen
(various colors)
Permanent marking pens (various colors)

5.0

(Optional equipment/instruments): Handheld

GPS receiver, lensatic compass, transit
(optional)
Instrument cases or boxes
Tent
Communication equipment (two-way radio,
cellular phone)

Site Preparation:
5.1

This procedure requires prior cleaning of

the wall surfaces, including removal of
vegetation/biological growths

5.2

All field workers, technicians and project

officers must wear safety gears and follow
safety requirements
Coordinate work with local counterpart/s

5.3

5.4
5.5

5.6
5.7
5.8
5.9

Provide documentation scope of work and

plans for field copy
Provide other documents, transport
equipment and supplies needed

Construct fence, access, barricade bars,

warning billboards and basic information
Install scaffolds and decking
Install nylon string grid rulers (vertical and
horizontal), or grid markers
Fix camera positions; photograph objective
and log each take (Photo Key Map)

6.0 Procedures (DIRECT PHOTOGRAPHY):

6.1 Install scale bar on the wall for every
take/shot of picture.

6.2 Mount camera on the tripod or clamp pod.

Measure a fixed distance from the wall
surface to the film plane of the camera, so
that each square frame formed by the string
grids would fit fully on the viewfinder of the
camera. Measure this distance and record it.

Use this distance measurement for all framed

shots. Mount level fixture into the cameras
accessory shoe, and level the camera.
6.3 Record each film frame number on the grid
wall elevation reference drawing or photo key
map.
6.4 Process color negative films and print
photographs on 5R format or larger (for SLR
camera with macro lens).

6.5 Transfer digital photograph files to computer

with professional photo editing software.
Process photographs using uniform settings
and scale (pre-formatted). Emphasis is given
on balanced brightness and contrast for all
photographs, so that the string grid lines and
stone details could be visually legible.

6.6 Prepare standard Photo editing grid template

based on scale bars; prepare grid templates
for standard AutoCAD drawing sheet sizes
that match the photo editing grid template.
Use these as fixed working file templates for
respective file types.
6.7 Open raster image file of each grid square in
AutoCAD. Then trace all attributes of the wall
surface so that the raster image can now be
converted to vector image of that grid square.
Repeat this process on each grid square,
and stitch the image squares together to form
a complete image of the subject structure in
vector image file. A digital map of the
structure for records and technical studies is
now produced.
6.8 Produce a hardcopy of the vector image of
the structure in a convenient scale for file
storage and reference document. Produce
the same on CD copies for file storage and
information transportability.

7.0 Procedures (MANUAL TRACING):

7.1 Install cross-hair markers

7.2 Place and secure clear plastic sheet on wall

surface to be traced

7.3 Trace all wall attributes (map), including the

crosshair markers on plastic sheet using
permanent marking pens (color coding for
different attributes preferred)

7.4 Index and record each traced frame number

both on the grid wall elevation reference
drawing/key map and the plastic sheet
7.5 Place and stretch traced frame on a white
board with grid module.
7.6 Photograph each traced frame using a
uniform setup with a 35MM SLR camera with
macro objective lens, or a digital camera with
at least 2-megapixel resolution.
7.7 Process negative film and print photographs,
and scan prints to convert photo frames into
digital images (for SLR camera with macro
lens).

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7.8 Transfer digital photograph files to computer

with professional photo editing software.
Process photographs using uniform settings
and scale (pre-formatted). Emphasis is given
on balanced brightness and contrast for all
photographs, so that the string grid lines and
stone details could be visually legible.

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6.6 Prepare standard Photo editing grid template

based on scale bars; prepare grid templates
for standard AutoCAD drawing sheet sizes
that match the photo editing grid template.
Use these as fixed working file templates for
respective file types.

6.7 Open raster image file of each grid square in

AutoCAD. Then trace all attributes of the wall
surface so that the raster image can now be
converted to vector image of that grid square.
Repeat this process on each grid square,
and stitch the image squares together to form

a complete image of the subject structure in

vector image file. A digital map of the
structure for records and technical studies is
now produced.
6.8 Produce a hardcopy of the vector image of the
structure in a convenient scale for file storage
and reference document. Produce the same
on CD copies for file storage and information
transportability.

8.0 SCALED MODEL/PHOTOGRAPHS/GRAPHIC

ILLUSTRATIONS PRODUCTION
8.1 Scaled model/photographs/graphic
illustrations production is very useful for site
interpretation and technical studies
8.2 Produce reproductions in convenient
scale/s for appropriate purposes