Investigation of the utilization opportunities of thermal UAV and photogrammetry in monitoring building thermal insulation

In this thesis study, the combined use potential of UAV-assisted thermal imaging and photogrammetric modeling methods was investigated for the detection of thermal insulation deficiencies on building facades. The aim of the study is to identify energy losses through the building envelope and to obtain spatially and thermally accurate data regarding the current state of insulation performance. The Faculty of Engineering building at Harran University was selected as the application area; thermal images of the selected structure were captured via UAV, and these images were subsequently integrated into three-dimensional photogrammetric models using Agisoft Metashape software. During the thermal analysis, parameters such as indoor and outdoor temperatures, wall surface areas, opening areas, U-values, and temperature differenceswere used to calculate both point-based and surface-based heat transmission losses. Thermal anomalies, especially those occurring around window and door openings as well as at reinforced concrete joints, were examined in detail. As a result of the analysis, a heat transmission loss of approximately 208.7 W was observed in certain localized surface areas, while a linear thermal bridge with a length of 68.93 m on another facade was found to cause a loss of 627.3 W. Accordingly, the total heat loss from the facades reached 714.7 W. These values not only reveal the inadequacy of the current insulation status of the studied buildings but also demonstrate the effectiveness of the UAV-assisted thermal inspection method. In line with the literature, it was determined that a significant portion of heat loss originates from small, localized weaknesses in the building envelope, which create a substantial performance deficit in terms of energy efficiency. Based on the results obtained, it is concluded that the combined use of UAV-assisted thermography and photogrammetry enables the fast, reliable, and detailed analysis of the energy performance of buildings, and provides a scientific data foundation for subsequent improvement efforts. In this context, it is recommended that these methods be employed as a supportive engineering tool in building inspections, the issuance of energy performance certificates, and the design of sustainable buildings.