Since 1970s, deformation monitoring in engineering has been
concerned widely by the society because it is related to the safety of people’s life
and property. The variety of deformation monitoring and the particularity of
precision requirements make the deformation monitoring means constantly
changing. 3d laser scanner, with its unique advantages, makes the deformation
monitoring efficiency of engineering greatly improved. In this paper, the
principle and error source of 3D laser scanning are introduced, the types and
characteristics of deformation monitoring in engineering are analyzed, and
the application of different 3D laser scanners in deformation monitoring in
engineering is obtained, thus providing guidance and reference for the selection
of appropriate 3D laser scanners in deformation monitoring in engineering.