Coherent Laser Ranging of Deforming Objects in Fires at Sub-Millimeter Precision

Published

July 7, 2023

Author(s)

Matthew Hoehler, Artur A. Chernovsky, Matthew Bundy, Esther Baumann

Abstract

This paper applies coherent Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave Light Detection and Ranging to capture three-dimensional measurements of objects in fire at meters of stand-off distance. Despite the presence of flame depths up to 1.5 m obscuring the target, measurements with millimeter precision are obtained. An approach to achieve sub-millimeter precision using spatial and temporal averaging during post-processing is presented. The technology is demonstrated in case studies of structural connection and vegetation response in fires.

Citation

Fire Safety Journal

Volume

140

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.firesaf.2023.103864

Local Download

Keywords

laser ranging, three-dimensional image acquisition, structural response, wildfires, thermal deformation

Citation

Hoehler, M. , Chernovsky, A. , Bundy, M. and Baumann, E. (2023), Coherent Laser Ranging of Deforming Objects in Fires at Sub-Millimeter Precision, Fire Safety Journal, [online], https://doi.org/10.1016/j.firesaf.2023.103864, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=936329 (Accessed October 17, 2025)