Abstract:The 3D point cloud captured from laser range scanning feafures high precision and complicated describing of a real object. However, some traditional approaches still can not be used to extract object feature efficiently because of the large data size. The stratified point model is put forward in this paper to present an object feature with different level of detail (LOD),in which point cloud is sliced with a regular interval in vertical direction Z. Based on a case data set, the quantity and distribution of point cloud is analyzed in vertical direction.It shows that the stratified point model can be used as sampling data of a contour in vertical within required accuracy. A new approach, iterative convex hull algorithm, is then proposed in order to connect stratified point data together without prior relationship information. The result of the connection shows that the gained contours are consistent with common contours and will not result in the problem of intercross on the edge. Meanwhile, based on the number of iteration, classification of contours is also proposed to obtain contours in different level of detail. Actually, the information of contour is abundant enough when the iteration number is increased. Finally, the feasibility of the approach is validated by a case study.