3D Laser Scanning: Key Applications for Construction
Design Planning and Quality Assurance Integrating 3D laser scanning into the early design stage provides detailed insights critical to accurate...
3 min read
Christine Potter : Oct 24, 2024 4:28:03 PM
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3D laser scanning was used to capture two million data points per second at the Phillips Towers Site. The point cloud captured was then used to create a digital twin of the site, delivered to the client via 3D BIM.
GPRS provided 3D Building Information Modeling (BIM) and laser scanning services to support the large-scale renovation of two office towers in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Phillips Point East and West towers, built in 1985, comprise 637,180 square feet of office and retail space, with two parking garages, all situated on a 4.3-acre property.
Accurate survey control was essential to ensure precise alignment of the 3D laser scans and maintain geographic accuracy. Promethean Builders, the client, requested phased delivery of the 3D BIM model to manage the project’s complexity. Phased modeling allowed the general contractor to focus on one section at a time, ensuring high-quality results before moving to the next phase.
The project required schematic designs for structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems. However, the primary challenge was coordinating work around the tenants' varied schedules, including stock traders and other firms handling sensitive content.
“Realistically, it was just getting with the building manager, the property manager, the construction team, and finding exactly what they needed, where we needed to go, and when we could get availability,” explained Project Manager Tyler Zak. “It was really just about excellent communication between all parties to make sure that we accommodated their schedule as much as we possibly could, to make sure we got the data collected that we needed to.”
Our experience working within sensitive environments ensured operations ran smoothly. The company’s nationwide team of Project Managers enabled rapid on-site responses to meet project demands.
Collaborating with Promethean established survey control before scanning, allowing the scan data to be integrated into a coordinate system to ensured proper alignment and georeferencing.
Zak and fellow Project Manager Shamar Orr developed a detailed workflow to coordinate with on-site trades and capture accurate existing conditions. This included identifying optimal scanner setup locations and establishing the project workflow to accurately estimate site time requirements.
“[The towers are] pretty big buildings,” Zak noted. “Making sure that we were able to capture all the features that the client wanted was difficult from ground level, so we mitigated that by getting out on the sides of the buildings through offices, windows, and things like that where we could get better vantage points of the higher levels and things like that, to make sure that we were getting the most accurate data possible.”
Zak and Orr employed Leica P-Series and RTC360 LiDAR scanners to collect construction-grade accurate data, producing detailed point clouds of the site’s architectural, structural, and MEP elements. The CAD team used Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) to centralize project information, enabling real-time collaboration among stakeholders and efficient phased delivery of the 3D BIM model.
The BIM model also outlined HVAC system specifications, facilitating interdisciplinary coordination, clash detection, and accurate construction scheduling. “I think it was just a pretty incredible model, in the end,” Zak said. “I think we gave the client a great, high-quality product.”
Laser scanning technology provided the accuracy and detail necessary to document as-built conditions efficiently. These scans offered essential insights for planning, clash detection, and facility modifications. GPRS’s 3D BIM services have helped clients mitigate risks, reduce costs, and avoid downtime through precise visualization, prefabrication, and space definition.
GPRS has earned a national reputation for excellence in the BIM 3D scanning industry, completing hundreds of projects annually on time and within budget. The company’s project managers use survey-grade Leica equipment to collect millions of data points, ensuring that each model meets the highest industry standards.
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Certain projects present unique challenges due to physical constraints, such as line-of-sight limitations or restricted access. In cases where scanning must be conducted from the ground or at a safe distance, laser scanning offers an ideal solution. For example, in hospitals, capturing above-ceiling MEP features requires maintaining negative airflow, and interstitial spaces often present congestion with minimal accessibility. As a non-contact measurement tool, laser scanning allows precise data collection from remote or constrained locations, making it an essential method for overcoming these complex architectural challenges.
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