Introducing Laser Scanning Technologyand applications

What is laser scanning?

When applied to the Construction industry, and morespecifically to that of Surveying, laser scanning is theprocess of using a 3 dimensional sensor, a combination ofradar and laser, with the aim to scan and map asurrounding environment. Laser scanning is a no contact,non-invasive and non-destructive technology.

Laser scanning allows enhancing the design process,speeds up and reduces data collection errors, saves timeand money, and thus makes it a very attractive alternativeto traditional data collection techniques.

• 3D Laser Scanning is a technology that digitallycaptures the shape of physical objects using aline of laser light. 3D laser scanners create“point clouds” of data from the surface of anobject.

• The scanner collect millions of individual pointmeasurements within minutes. Themeasurements are then plotted within a singleXYZ coordinate system to form a ‘point cloud’of the object’s external surface.

• With the addition of GPS data these points canbe geo-referenced and transformed into aglobal reference system. Multiple data cloudscollected from different viewpoints can also becombined (“registered”) using commonfeatures in order to create one 3D dataset.

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High Precision Surveying

A Wide Range of Applications3D scanning is also used for mobile mapping, surveying,scanning of buildings and building interiors, and inarchaeology. Below is an non-exhaustive list ofapplications for laser scanning:

• As built surveying

• Architecture & Facade Measurements

• Archaeology & Cultural Heritage

• MEP modeling for BIM applications

• Tunnel Surveying

• Civil Engineering

• Topography

• Construction geometrical monitoring

Our Equipment

At Design Solution we have equipped ourselves with two RIEGL VZ-400 3D Terrestrial Laser Scanner.

Specifications key figures:

• Range: 600 meters

• Accuracy: 3 mm

• Data collection: 122,000 points per second

On Site – Gathering Point CloudsThe 3D scanner generates what is referred to as aPoint Cloud, which is a set of data points forming adigital representation of the scanned area.

In Office – Merging Data Acquired and Generating BIMfile. Once all necessary Point Clouds have beengathered, our team of engineers merge the data into asingle file. Combining the various data points is ameticulous procedure that requires the attention ofspecialized professionals. Once the merged file hasbeen completed, it is possible to transform it into aBIM file which can be used differently according to theClient’s needs.

The Process

A building can be scanned from the outside to include all external walls and then from the inside. Once registered together, a full 3D scan data of the structure is available. From there, a number of applications are available:

• Creation of as built drawings

• Design of sections

• Design of upgrades

• Use of the model for facility management purposes

Structures

Laser scanning allows the Architect torapidly obtain an accurate 3D mapping ofthe existing structure that is to beremodeled/redesigned. The survey can becarried out indoors and/or outdoorsdepending on the requirements.

With the generated BIM file, the Architectcan digitally alter the site with accurate andreal time information. This allows limitlesspossibilities, and a level of accuracy thatwas hardly possible with previous surveyingmethods. The BIM file can also be used toproduce a rendering or an animation.

Architecture

Plants and Piping systems

• Document precisely in 3D the current state ofthe property as the planning basis forconversions and extensions.

• Accurately model existing piping andequipment allowing for clash detection prior toinstallation of new equipment.

• 3D data can be used for modelling andplanning in 3D e.g. BIM. Additionally the pointcloud data can be used to take any number ofmeasurements without having to physically goto site.

• It helps generating as-built documentation ofassets. Consulting Engineers can reverseengineer CAD models for process plant designand maintenance

Whether its due to the age of the building, or the poorprocessing of information from the AEC Teams, theFacility Managers (FM) do not necessarily have anaccurate record of the facilities they handle. With laserscanning technology, it is now possible to produce aBIM file and label each item, and most notably theMechanical Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) componentsof the facility. The FM can use this information to assesscost, maintenance requirements and generateoperation guidelines as necessary.

Facility ManagementActual Site Photo

Point Cloud Generated Section

Generated BIM File

Heritage asset

For restoration or scientific analysis, for securingprotected buildings or for virtual presentations ofhistorical sites, laser scanner offers the possibility ofcomplete and detailed documentation of historicalstructures or excavation sites.

The Contractor or the Work Supervision canbenefit greatly from the use of laser scanning.Indeed, laser scanning can allow the regulartracking of on site works and permit acomparative with the original constructiondrawings. Also, and mainly, having a BIM file canallow the assessment any potential clash betweenthe various building systems.

Measuring site progress

Actual Site Photo

Point Cloud Digital File 01

Point Cloud Digital File 02

Construction Site Progress Monitoring

From the pavement scanning the works progress can be derivedand a precise bill of quantities can be obtained. Same can beapplied to any kind of construction site progress monitoring:

• Seamless capture and monitoring of construction progressfor legal and technical documentation.

• Project supervision: whenever there are excavations, bridges,towers, open-pit mines, roads, railways, reservoirs, pipelinesto be built, there is a need for close monitoring of theindividual project phases to meet the project’s requirements.

• It can also be used as a quality control in new construction.Comparing the as-built conditions to the design intent (eitherwith measurements or against the BIM).

Forensic and Accidents scenes

Laser Scanner is ideally suited to perform rapidand complete 3D recordings of crime andaccident scenes or insurance damage. Alldetails of relevance in any subsequentreconstruction of the crime or accident arecovered.

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