This study develops and thoroughly evaluates a novel post-processing drift-correction method based on Shepard-type inverse-distance weighted (IDW) interpolation of displacement vectors. The algorithm maps local displacements of the entire handheld laser scanner (HLS) IR_RAW point cloud using sparse control points whose coordinates are determined with high-accuracy reference techniques (HLS in blue-light marker mode, terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), and electronic total station). The influence of control-point density (spacing 0.25–2.10 m), number of neighbors (K = 2–10), and weighting power (P = 1–3) was systematically analyzed on both a test brick wall and a real 14th-century city walls fragment in Koszalin, Poland. Cloud-to-cloud distance comparisons with independent TLS reference datasets demonstrated a dramatic improvement in geometric fidelity. In the test measurements, the share of points with errors below 3 mm rose from 35.5% (raw data) to 83–88% under optimal configurations (dense control grid, K = 4–8, P = 1–2). On the heritage wall, the best variants achieved over 92% of points within 3 mm. Local discontinuities were effectively suppressed, and the corrected clouds enabled reliable, millimeter-scale identification and quantification of material losses fully consistent with TLS results. The correction based on Shepard-type IDW interpolation significantly expands the applicability of affordable HLS technology for precise documentation and long-term monitoring of elongated cultural heritage structures at the scale investigated in this study, providing clear practical recommendations for control-point network design and algorithm parameter selection.

The presented dataset contains spatial models of cones formed from lunar soil simulants. The cones were formed in a laboratory by allowing the soil to fall freely through a funnel. Then, the cones were measured using three methods: a high-precision handheld laser scanner (HLS), photogrammetry, and a low-cost LiDAR system integrated into an iPad Pro. The dataset consists of two groups. The first group contains raw measurement data, and the second group contains the geometry of the cones themselves, excluding their surroundings. This second group was prepared to support the calculation of the cones’ volume. All data are provided in standard 3D file format (.STL). The dataset enables direct comparison of resolution and geometric reconstruction performance across the three techniques and can be reused for benchmarking 3D processing workflows, segmentation algorithms, and shape reconstruction methods. It provides complete geometric information suitable for validating automated extraction procedures for parameters such as cone height, base diameter, and angle of repose, as well as for further research into planetary soil and granular material morphology.

This study presents a data-quality-aware methodology for non-contact identification of the catenary parameter and horizontal force in multi-span railway traction networks using terrestrial laser scanning. It establishes a quality-assessment and decision-support layer that lays the foundation for future automated inspection systems. The introduced closed-loop framework uses geometric and statistical quality indicators, such as visible cable length and relative confidence interval (CI) width, to determine whether a result is accepted, reacquired, or referred for manual review. Validated against laboratory dynamometer measurements across multi-span configurations, TLS-derived forces showed a 4.6% mean absolute relative difference. In field test on 16 traction segments, local root-mean-square errors remained consistently low (3.4–3.9 mm), yet relative CI widths varied substantially. Visible length strongly negatively correlated with CI width (ρs = -0.81, p < 0.001). Joint evaluation of visible length, fit uncertainty, and point-distribution uniformity supports metrologically informed interpretation of TLS-derived catenary parameters under field acquisition constraints.

Accurate characterization of lunar regolith is essential for planning future surface operations and construction activities. In this work, we compare three 3D measurement techniques for laboratory-scale regolith simulant (LSS) cones: a high-precision handheld laser scanner (HLS), a photogrammetry workflow, and the LiDAR sensor embedded in an iPad Pro. The experiments focused on evaluating the geometric parameters of cone height, base diameter, angle of repose, and volume. HLS and photogrammetry produced closely matching results, with mean observed differences of 0.5 f 0.4 mm for heights, 0.4 f 0.2 mm for diameters, and 0.15 f 0.14 degrees for repose angles. Volumes derived from these two methods differed by less than 1.8 %. By contrast, the iPad LiDAR underestimated cone heights with a mean error of 9.1 f 2.9 mm and overestimated base diameters by 9.6 f 6.1 mm, leading to mean angle deviations of 2.63 f 0.97 degrees. Photogrammetry was intentionally simplified so that its data acquisition time matched that of the HLS, providing a practical efficiency-based comparison rather than maximum accuracy. Although based on single trials, the findings demonstrate that HLS and photogrammetry can deliver consistent results for small regolith features, while low-cost mobile LiDAR remains unsuitable for subcentimeter measurements. This study highlights the potential of integrating different 3D measurement approaches for rapid regolith assessment, offering insights into future lunar applications.

Establishing a permanent human base on the Moon requires effective reduction of ionizing radiation, which reaches levels on the lunar surface that far exceed exposure on Earth (due to the lack of a global magnetic field and atmosphere). One of the most promising shielding strategies is to use local resources, in particular lunar regolith, as a building material for surface habitats. In this study, the shielding properties of four high fidelity lunar soil simulants (LMS-1, LHS-1, LSP-2 and AGK-2010) were experimentally determined and compared with CEN sand as a reference material. Samples with thicknesses of 40, 60, 80, 100 and 200 mm were used in the attenuation measurements. Linear attenuation coefficients (& micro;), mass attenuation coefficients (& micro;m), half-value layer (HVL) and tenth-value layer (TVL) were determined in this way. In addition, scattering was taken into account and described using the determined relative values of the accretion factor Br. All tested simulants showed very similar attenuation effectiveness, with average values of & micro; approximate to 0.094 cm-1 and & micro;m approximate to 0.054 cm2/g. The corresponding HVL and TVL values were approximately equal to 7-8 cm and 24-26 cm, respectively. The relative accretion factor reached maximum values ranging from 1.57 to 1.97. A comparative analysis showed that the shielding effectiveness of the tested materials is comparable to that of lightweight concrete with an apparent density of approximately 1.5 g/cm3 . Despite minor differences between the individual simulants, their attenuation characteristics were statistically consistent, indicating similar suitability for radiation protection applications.

Recently, geopolymers, a type of inorganic non-metallic cementitious materials, have attracted considerable attention as an alternative to ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and as an effective pathway to mitigate energy consumption and minimize CO2 emissions. The paper proposes a method of geopolymer design to achieve best mechanical properties of the developed material from the civil engineering perspective. Using a ternary plot, the authors selected specific proportions of geopolymer ingredients which predetermine such properties as high workability, high compressive and flexural strength. In the first stage of the research, a mixture of sand, fly ash, and alkaline activators were used to initiate the polymerization process which allowed to form specimens designated for further tests. The promising properties of geopolymers and the lack of access to OPC on the Moon have led to the consideration of using geopolymers as a building material in the construction of future extraterrestrial bases. In the second stage, simulant of the Moon regolith was utilized. The achieved results justify the claim that the proposed formulation method of geopolymers, designed for civil engineering applications, is useful both for terrestrial and extraterrestrial applications.

The article presents the results of non-destructive testing of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) based on waste sand. Fiber concrete beams with different steel fiber content were subjected to two types of free vibrations: torsional and flexural vibrations. Based on the tests and Fourier analysis, the frequencies of these vibrations were determined. They were used to determine the dynamic modulus of elasticity (Young’s modulus), the dynamic shear modulus (modulus of rigidity) and the dynamic Poisson’s ratio. In the next stage, the influence of steel fibers on these parameters was determined. The tests have shown that the addition of steel fibers increases the value of dynamic modulus of elasticity and the dynamic shear modulus up to a certain critical fiber content, beyond which the values of these moduli decrease; moreover, steel fibers do not affect the value of the dynamic Poisson’s ratio.

It has been published in recent research studies that several mechanical properties of mortar reinforced with suitably spatial shaped plastic elements can be improved. Thus, a hexagonal geometric shape was chosen due to its high rigidity for this study. Stress distribution at a bi-material interface between a polymer part reinforcing a mortar specimen and the rest of the mortar part has been investigated to explain fatigue fracture behavior of rectangular specimens tested. A three-point-bending (3PB) test was simulated via a finite element method (FEM) considering several simplifications, and various heights of the polymer reinforcement were modeled to investigate its influence on stress redistribution. For comparison, a pure mortar specimen without any plastic elements was considered the reference. The numerical results obtained are discussed and compared to the experimental ones. Within the experimental campaign, bulk density, static properties and fatigue characteristics were tested, analyzed and discussed. Improvements in flexural strength were observed when the plastic panel was used as reinforcement, which agrees with other scientific works. Directions for future research were identified.

This dataset presents experimental data on the use of low-cost LiDAR scanners (integrated with iPads and iPhones) to evaluate the deformation of plastic-concrete specimens with fractal-based cross-sections. The specimens were created using 3D printed lost formwork and concrete. The dataset includes mesh models acquired using low-cost LiDAR technology and photogrammetry before and after the loading tests. This allows for the evaluation of geometric deformations and volume changes in specimens of varying cross-sectional complexity.The measurements were performed in a controlled laboratory environment, where LiDAR-based volume calculations were compared with high-precision photogrammetric reference data. The dataset includes information on scanning conditions, point cloud processing techniques, and measurement errors, providing insight into the accuracy and repeatability of low-cost LiDAR technology in structural assessment.This dataset is valuable to researchers investigating low-cost metrology, LiDAR-based strain monitoring, and the application of consumer-grade scanning technology in civil engineering and materials science. It enables further analysis of the accuracy of mobile LiDAR for measuring complex geometries and deformations of structures.

This study demonstrates the effectiveness of integrating terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) and handheld laser scanning (HLS) for structural diagnostics. The research was conducted on a Small Hydropower Plant (SHP) in Koszalin, Poland. TLS was used to capture the general geometry of the object, while HLS operating in infrared (IR) and blue light modes enabled high-resolution documentation of local damage. Areas of interest were identified using the Surface Variation parameter, and selected zones were scanned with HLS. Both HLS modes delivered consistent results, with differences not exceeding ±0.37 mm. The IR mode proved particularly useful in constrained spaces, allowing for precise measurements without the use of reference markers. Comparative analyses of cross-sections through a major crack confirmed that both HLS modes produce repeatable results with submillimeter accuracy. Integrating TLS and HLS data resolved blind spots inherent to TLS and produced a complete point cloud preserving both global geometry and local detail. The findings confirm the applicability of this hybrid approach in assessing structural damage and highlight its relevance in civil engineering applications. The proposed workflow is effective for documenting inaccessible or complex geometries while optimizing data volume and acquisition time (R1-C10).

This article aims to explore the potential of using low-cost devices (iPhone and iPad) equipped with LiDAR scanners in the context of measuring the volume of concrete-plastic specimens with complex shapes. The goal was to assess whether these tools can support or even replace traditional metrology methods. For the purpose of the research program concrete-plastic columns with very complex cross-sections (based on different fractals) were harnessed. The research team was focused on analyzing the potential of using this technology to measure the volume of concrete-plastic structural elements created with the help of 3D printing. The tests were conducted under laboratory conditions. The effectiveness of the proposed approach was compared with results obtained using photogrammetry. The challenges of measurement accuracy, the impact of specimen shape, the impact of material and needed optimization of post-processing on the achieved results were also discussed.

This study investigated the potential use of magnetic separation and fertilization with microalgae species Chlorella vulgaris to enhance plant growth on the lunar regolith simulant LMS-1. The two-step method was proposed to address these issues. Firstly, magnetic separation was used to extract the ferromagnetic fraction from the regolith, approximately 10

The presented work was focused on developing a lightweight, quasi self-compacting, fiber reinforced concrete mix for pre-cast use. The research activities covered a complex iteration design process and experimental tests leading to the selection of the final mix. The threshold requirements for the final mix were: strength class of at least LC 25/28, quasi self-compacting properties of the fresh concrete mix and good quality of the surfaces of hardened elements. During the design process a wide array of lightweight aggregates was considered characterized by bulk density ranging from 340 kg/m3 to 750 kg/m3. Ten different concrete mixes were created. Two mixes characterized by most promising properties were further developed by the addition of steel fiber. Eventually, one of the mixes was chosen for the final tests. Compressive strength after different time intervals, tensile strength, shear strength and LOP characteristics of the chosen mix were of key interest. Durability associated properties were also tested. Ultimately, lightweight concrete with the density of 1640 kg/m3 and the strength class of LC 30/33 was obtained.

The article describes the examination of the internal structure of concrete reinforced with steel fibers using two non-destructive measurement techniques: a method using ultrasonic waves and a method using electromagnetic induction. The ultrasonic method allowed for the determination of material defects resulting from the non-uniform distribution of fibers in the space of the tested sample bodies. The method using electromagnetic induction allowed for the identification of fiber content. Research has shown that fiber concrete, characterized by a relatively high content of steel fibers (above 1.5 % by volume), is susceptible to the formation of material discontinuities in its internal structure. This phenomenon occurs to a very small extent in concrete with steel fiber content below 1.5 %.

The presented research program is focused on harnessing lunar regolith as raw material for the production of aggregates and concrete-like composites on the Moon. The proposed complex technological solution covers technology of lunar aggregate production, lunar concrete-like composites, shape of a lunar habitat, a type of its structure and erection technique. Each element of the proposed solution is supported by tests or calculations. In authors’ opinion magnetic separation seems to be the most promising technology of lunar aggregate production, habitats should be in egg-shaped form and the structure should be 3D printed as a Voronoi mesh. The research program was conducted using scientifically proven lunar soil simulants which were thoroughly tested by the authors. Production of lunar aggregate and subsequently concrete-like composite based on it is inevitable. The authors’ proposed approach to the erection of lunar habitats is fully based on in-situ resource utilization philosophy increasing its feasibility. Necessary future research areas were pointed out.

The article presents a research program aimed at preliminary determination of the potential of iPAD-LiDAR technology in the inventory of building structures. The authors focused on the use of commercially available devices (mobile phones and tablets) equipped with a LiDAR sensor. Such devices can be treated as low-cost measuring devices and used for engineering measurements. The first possible area of use of the devices discussed is broadly understood construction inventories, which, when performed using traditional methods, always involve a large amount of work. The automation of this process and the quality and quantity of data obtained during the inventory create a completely new technical reality and related measurement and diagnostic possibilities.

This study addressed the structural health monitoring of civil engineering cable structures, in which single cable tension is the key parameter influencing safe and intended behaviour. Traditional methods for monitoring the tension force in a cable are labour-intensive and require direct interaction with the cable. In contrast, the proposed approach provides a remote and rapid assessment of the tension force in the cables of engineering structures using only the shape of the cable. First, a terrestrial laser scanner was used to acquire a point cloud of the cable geometry from a distance. Catenary theory was subsequently applied to the point cloud data to calculate the theoretical tensile force in the observed cable. When the results were compared with those obtained through conventional direct measurements using a dynamometer, the differences were negligible. The proposed approach was subsequently demonstrated on the actual in-service overhead contact lines of a tram system. The results indicated that the precision of the proposed approach is highly dependent on the accuracy of the data describing the physical properties of the cable (cable linear mass). Thus, the proposed approach was proven to be precise, reliable, and rapid, and directions for future research were discussed accordingly.

In situ resource utilization (ISRU) activities are receiving increasing attention, both from space agencies and among the international science and industrial community. Prominent examples of ongoing ISRU space programs are the NASA Artemis program and the Terrae Novae program run by the European Space Agency. In technical sciences, there are at least three groups of activities related to ISRU: prospecting bodies in the context of space missions, technological investigations related to surface infrastructure and operations, and conceptual analyses of future mining activities. The present paper belongs to the third group and brings new insights into a potential open pit mine operating on the Moon. There are several novel contributions: the definition of the objectives of the mine, based on economic indicators; a conceptual description of a pit architecture dedicated to excavating ilmenite-rich feedstock; and a qualitative and quantitative description of the chosen processes and the mine's topology. In the paper, there are also added links to other papers connected with ISRU activities.

This article examines the potential of low-cost LiDAR technology for 3D modeling and assessment of the degradation of historic buildings, using a section of the Koszalin city walls in Poland as a case study. Traditional terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) offers high accuracy but is expensive. The study assessed whether more accessible LiDAR options, such as those integrated with mobile devices such as the Apple iPad Pro, can serve as viable alternatives. This study was conducted in two phases—first assessing measurement accuracy and then assessing degradation detection—using tools such as the FreeScan Combo scanner and the Z+F 5016 IMAGER TLS. The results show that, while low-cost LiDAR is suitable for small-scale documentation, its accuracy decreases for larger, complex structures compared to TLS. Despite these limitations, this study suggests that low-cost LiDAR can reduce costs and improve access to heritage conservation, although further development of mobile applications is recommended.