Effect of different registration methods on precision of orientation based on RTK registration/georeferencing mode

Compared with traditional methods, the three-dimensional laser-scanning (3D-LS) technique can efficiently acquire many high-quality geometric properties of rock discontinuities. In practice, engineers usually prefer to simplify the processing by using single-station point data and roughly orienting owing to the complexity of registration/georeferencing multi-station point data. However, prior published studies have paid little attention to the accuracy and reliability when determining discontinuity orientations using 3D-LS. We propose a reliable and accurate method with robust on-site applicability. As part of an ongoing effort, we are evaluating the precision of the commonly used coarse registration method and the fine registration method, and promoted the optimized coarse- and fine-registration methods and evaluated their precision. It is found that: (1) the common and the optimized registration method can meet our project’s engineering requirements, and the optimized registration method improved accuracy in the dip direction by approximately 1°; (2) fine registration using an iterative closest point (ICP) algorithm can correct both dip direction and dip angle; and (3) the orientation is of high precision with commonly used coarse and fine registration, whereas the optimization effect to correct the orientation is slightly limited.