Creating 3D models of tractor tire footprints using close-range digital photogrammetry

Close-range digital photogrammetry is utilized to construct the 3D models of an agricultural tire footprint. These models were then analyzed to obtain the tire footprint depth, area and volume. The procedure of using the photogrammetry technique for developing 3D models of a tire footprint on soil as well as an assessment of the accuracy of the 3D models are discussed in this paper. Testing was conducted using a tractor tire in a large soil bin in a lab to generate a single tire footprint along with a rolling tire test to simulate a longer tire rut. Our experiments showed that the close-range digital photogrammetry provides an efficient and accurate method to assess the depth and volume of the tire footprint in soil.