B4 - Group 6 - Laser Scanning - Kai Waechter

My group will be basing our research paper on the capabilities of 3D laser scanning and its functions in the construction and structural design industry. Following this, we will break down the applications of laser scanning and focus on what we feel are the most important in line with intelligent building.

We chose this to be our topic because of the heavy focus on BIM in this class. 3D scanning offers an alternative method of generating a 3D model for an existing structure and in a majority of cases, generates an accurate model in less than 2 hours, a process that could take an entire week or more for a skilled BIM software specialist [1].

Another “intelligent” innovation that 3D scanning has brought to the table is how engineers are using it in structural analysis. Laser scanning allows for the technician to essentially map and surface of a structure, and depending on the type of scanner, they can look for heat distribution, cracks, and any number of abnormalities they are looking for [2].

Other applications exist for laser scanning including excavation control (precise dimensioning of excavations), free-form component inspection, and construction progress monitoring [1]. One challenge this technology faces is that it can only scan what it can see. If a surface of the structure if covered, then the laser scanner may not be able to detect it, however, it is clear that this technology offers numerous benefits in the construction and engineering fields and I for one am interesting in seeing what the future holds for such a device. Being able to rapidly scan and model an existing structure is a powerful tool, and like any other intelligent design technology it is likely to continually adapt to the ever demanding engineering environment.

Seeing as this is what everyone else is doing I might as well throw in the outline as well.

1.      Introduction to 3D Laser Scanning

a.      What is laser scanning

b.      How is it used

c.      Why is it important

d.      What makes it “intelligent”

2.      Applications of 3D Laser Scanning

a.      Modeling of 3D Structures

b.      Creating as build models of assets in a fraction of the time it does to do in BIM software

c.      Surveying/Elevation

d.      Structural Analysis (looking for damage)

e.      Highlight importance of its functions for structural analysis (or 3D modeling depending on preference)

3.      Laser Scanning in Structural Analysis

a.      Explain how it has changed the ways structural analysis can be conducted

b.      Go into specific applications

                                                    i.     Heat Mapping

                                                   ii.     Scanning for surface cracks

                                                  iii.     Erosion

                                                  iv.     Abnormalities

4.      Laser Scanning in 3D Modeling

a.      Explain how it takes 3D modeling and approaches it from an intelligent design angle

                                                    i.     Faster processing times/generation of models

                                                   ii.     No need to train someone in BIM software

b.      How 3D laser scanning can be incorporated with BIM software

5.      Discuss limitation of 3D laser scanning

6.      Closing Paragraph

a.      Highlight fundamentals of 3D laser scanning

b.      Talk about the future of where the technology can go

Sources:

[1] http://www.faro.com/products/3d-surveying/laser-scanner-faro-focus-3d/applications

[2] http://www.smartgeometrics.com/about-laser-scanning/?gclid=Cj0KEQiAoby1BRDA-fPXtITt3f0BEiQAPCkqQRYdOIITqznJaIgN9YliGuXHXF--Si5TPCnAEaZoFjcaAnZT8P8HAQ

Comments:

[1] http://ae-510-ay15-16.blogspot.com/2016/02/b4-group-e-swartz.html?showComment=1454382490846#c705495445278708879

[2] http://ae-510-ay15-16.blogspot.com/2016/01/b4-group-c-alexis.html?showComment=1454382986778#c9171514249251103665

B2: Group B Farnelli

I am sure that we have all had experience with collaborative work on a project, and the complications which arise when cross-discipline work is required. BIM programs such as Revit have allowed companies to better coordinate their projects, but these programs still have quite a few limits. For example, often BIM models are used only for the coordination of geometry. Calculations are instead done in separate programs, with each division forming separate models in addition to the central model. Updates then often need to be done manually, which may lead to errors. An increases in beam size which is not notices in the structural department may not be immediately updated in the Revit model, for example, and this may lead to coordination problems when a mechanical engineer places a duct or piece of equipment where he or she believes there is space. While the capabilities of BIM to help coordinate projects are incredible, such problems do exist.
Chapter Two in Charles M Eastman's BIM Handbook covers interoperability, the ability of programs to work together. In the above example, the structural software was not able to update the BIM model itself, and users must check for changes and update models. This leads to the possibility of human error in translation. Eastman discusses the various methods for communicating between programs, including file types such as .dxf which can be read and produced from multiple programs, as I am sure at least a few of us have experienced. I personally have used this capability to form AutoCAD .dwg files from structural models in the past, but this is only a line model and does not directly transition into a BIM model.
The section which most held my interest in the chapter was the discussion beginning on page 114 about Industry Foundation Class (IFC). This representation of various parts in a BIM model is able to coordinate various properties and definitions of different parts of a model. For example, a wall is associated with various spaces it is adjacent to, as well as its materials, fire rating, purpose, etc. While each wall may have many properties, an engineer may be interested in only a few. The structural engineer may not care about the thermal transmittance, for example. The problem with interoperability is that programs used to perform analysis will also need to be selective about which properties to read. Geometry is likely important in all models, but many other properties should be left out of models which do not relate to them. Model View Definitions (MVD) are important as they determine what is exchanged and what is not. However, these are determined by trial and error and may not be standard. According to the handbook, there had been 23 efforts as of April 2010 to define MVDs, each for different purposes and programs. Other attempts to allow for interoperability include several XML transports such as OpenGIS and BCF (BIM Collaboration Format), as listed on page 133.
As the interoperability between programs increases, there may be a need to store further information in the BIM model. For example, perhaps it will be possible to notify the mechanical and structural team members if a beam and a duct are losing clearance space in the model before clash detection kicks in. However, as the amount of information being stored in the models increases there may be increased problems in the future with file compression and determining which specific programs need which specific attributes.

EDIT: Comments on Dianna Vogel's post and Bryan Cummings' post.

Common Topic Labels (Tags) for the Course

 Common Topic Labels (Tags) for the Course

Below are topics that we'll address in the course.  This post creates them as labels.  Please use these labels when creating your own posts to help people find topics that interest them.  You can add your own as well when creating a post.
TOPIC

• 3D Printing
• AI
• BIM
• Building
• Civil
• Computer
• Database
• Design
• Electrical
• Environmental
• Future
• Hardware
• HVAC
• Network
• Robotics
• Sensor
• Software
• Structures
• System
• Term Project

Note:  In a separate post I’m creating a label that consists of each student’s last name.  Please apply the label for your last name