Landair Surveying News

Cutting edge technology becomes best practice on construction projects

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3D laser scanning is back in the headlines – this time in Louisville, Kentucky – showing further proof that this innovative technology is quickly becoming the new industry standard for construction projects across the country.

Just last week, work on the $2.6 billion Ohio River Bridges project in Louisville began and 3D laser scanning technology is playing a key role in the progress.

The project includes reconstruction of ramps for the John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge and interchanges at the intersection of three major interstates, a second bridge to carry northbound traffic on I-65, and a new East End Bridge to connect two major highways located 10 miles from downtown Louisville.

Kentucky is excited about the project and the clock is ticking! There is reportedly $12 million in bonus awards ($40,000 per day) available to the contractors if construction is completed early and an $80,000 per day penalty if the project is late.

So, when the contracts were awarded late last year, site crews mobilized fast.

The subcontractor providing surveys for the massive transportation project is using 3D laser scanning to plot the entire landscape of construction. This technology enables sketches and plans to be  immediately uploaded to the cloud as they are completed so that crews can access the most recent data in real-time.

As a result, crews can conduct clash detection of existing and proposed construction to show if there are interferences that could potentially slow construction and can make modifications before they cause major construction problems.

As the many benefits of 3D laser scanning become more known, this technology has become a best practice for critical projects.

Many construction companies have even been rolling out flat screen computers onsite to show superintendents actual BIM models by sequence. These models are used throughout the day by workers building bridges, roads and infrastructures around the world.

Construction companies use these high definition laser scans to gather precise data on site terrain, renovations and additions. Architects use them to check proposed design models against existing conditions to fine-tune their designs, and engineers use 3D scans to work with real-world conditions in complex industrial as-built and plant environments.

The scans are quick, accurate and highly detailed and the result is big savings of both time and money. Not only can you revisit the original scan multiple times from a computer desktop, which eliminates costly return visits to the project site, but scans also prevent construction reworks and retrofitting and keep projects on time because they are completed right the first time.

At $80,000 per day, I’d say that’s worth it!

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Tate Jones has over 40 years of experience in land and aerial surveying and was one of the country’s earliest adopters of 3D laser scanning technology. A nationally recognized expert in the field of 3D data capture, he has worked with hundreds of clients in the engineering, architectural and construction industries. Contact him at tjones@lasurveying.com or visit www.landairsurveying.com.

 

3D Laser scanning helps with job site safety

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When most people think of laser scanning, they think of capturing and documenting existing conditions prior to a construction project.

 

While this is LandAir’s primary use of our laser technology, there are many additional benefits that our clients are beginning to take advantage of from the scans we provide. One of these benefits is safety, a priority for all of us in the construction industry.

 

Virtual job site

Laser scanning is a great way to incorporate new personnel into an environment. Enabling workers to view a job site prior to physically stepping onto the site is just one valuable resource provided by a scan. 

 

Whether it is identifying hazards on a site like open pits or high traffic areas, or just identifying where the lay-down areas for supplies will be, the ability to immerse workers into a site can protect them and cut down on miscommunications in the field. 

 

Visualization can also assist with language barriers that may be present on a site or tradespeople who don’t understand the entire safety plan of everyone onsite. It can also provide “virtual tours” to interested parties or at least help them identify caution areas before walking the site. 

 

Training

Laser scanning and modeling can also provide virtual training in a 3D space. The ability to identify parts on equipment and look at the space the equipment is in helps workers identify potential hazards and ensure that they have the necessary tools to make repairs or installations. 

 

There are partner companies today who are putting virtual “how to” training guides online that demonstrate anything from changing a tire to repairing valves in a virtual environment. This virtual 3D training not only allows for repairs and replacements to be done faster, which can save money on shut downs, but lessens the time workers are exposed to the elements. 

 

Many times, moving machine parts, extreme temperatures and dangerous spaces are involved with repairs or replacements and cutting down time in the field can help get workers out of harm’s way. 

 

Clash avoidance

Many times on job sites large equipment is present and cranes are erected. Staging these areas and making sure that the equipment has room to maneuver without colliding with anything else on a site is very important. 

 

Laser scanning can provide very precise measurements of equipment and the surrounding environment prior to being onsite. A crane’s radius can be measured, modeled and dropped into the virtual site to determine where potential clash areas may exist.

 

Risk management

In the event an accident does occur, having a laser scan of the site allows the team to go back in and examine the area where the accident took place. It may provide a better understanding of how the accident happened and who may have truly been at fault. 

 

Having a 3D laser scan of the existing conditions may help limit liability and demonstrate an added level of due-diligence. This information could also be used to create a guide for “what not to do” on future sites.

 

First responders and safety plans

Providing valuable information to first responders is another benefit created by a 3D laser scan.  Demonstrating the fastest and safest routes on a job site is something that can be easily demonstrated with a laser scan.

 

Floor plans can be developed or access to a web-based viewer like Leica’s TruView can allow 360-degree views of the environment. Evacuation routes can also be reviewed and demonstrated with a fly-through video for workers on the site.

 

Deliverables

The deliverables for 3D laser scanning that we provide are various and based on the needs of our clients. We provide drawings, models, fly-throughs and TruViews.

 

Autodesk’s AutoCAD and Revit are the two most popular formats in which we deliver drawings and 3D models. Our 3D point cloud fly-throughs are easily shown in Windows Media and Leica’s TruView allows clients to see our scan set-ups in full 360 views from each station. 

 

As the virtual world and building information modeling become more prevalent in the construction industry, new uses for 3D laser scanning that provide increased safety on job sites will hopefully increase as well.

 

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Mitch Dorsett has over 15 years in the building and construction industry and serves as director of business development for LandAir Surveying. Mitch is rapidly becoming an expert in 3D data capture and virtual design and construction, having attended and represented LandAir’s laser scanning capabilities at SPAR, RTC and Autodesk University in 2012. Contact him at mdorsett@lasurveying.com or visit www.landairsurveying.com.

Come see us at RTC this week!

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LandAir Surveying’s president, Tate Jones, will speak at the Revit Technology Conference this week.

A nationally recognized expert in the field of 3D data capture and analysis, Tate has worked with hundreds of clients in the engineering, architectural and construction industries – as well as with various law enforcement and insurance companies. LandAir is one of the top as-built data capture firms in America, utilizing 3D laser scanning and Laser-to-BIM technology since 2005.

Tate’s session on “Laser Scanning: Real World Uses” will take place on Friday, July 12. (Session 7: 10:45am-12:00pm.) In this session, attendees will learn everything they need to know about laser scanning, photogrammetry and other simple technologies to document as-built conditions and turn them into BIM models, including some of the common myths and misconceptions and hard learned best practices.

Going to RTC this year? Let’s connect! Tate Jones (770) 355-4650 or Mitch Dorsett (770) 241-5326. You can also check us out online at www.LandAirSurveying.com. See you in Vancouver!…

3D Laser Scanning for Renovation of Healthcare Facilities

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As a facility, hospitals and other healthcare buildings present a unique situation.

They have the aesthetic needs of a hotel or retail store, but the engineering requirements of an industrial or mechanical facility. These competing needs make space allocation difficult for design, construction, and operations and when renovations are due, accurate as-built information is absolutely critical.

3D laser scanning delivers perfect as-built information to meet the MEP and architectural needs of even the most complicated facilities.

Changes are always afoot in hospitals

Hospitals facilities are anything but static. Improvements in technology constantly call for new equipment and can shrink or modify the size of existing equipment. 

Equipment and mechanical rooms in hospitals are notoriously crowded. Walls, ceilings, kiosks, laboratories, and operating rooms are virtually full of pipes, wires, conduits, and other tools of the MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) world. 

This makes renovations difficult for both design and construction. 

There is a human factor, too. Office layouts change as employees are churned (or “moved” in facilities management terms). Departments often have to compete for space and square footage comes at a premium!

The health and safety of employees is also a consideration. Hospitals must comply with statutory requirements related to office layouts including the minimum amount of space per employee, security features, fire safety protocol, ventilation, temperature control, restrooms, dining facilities and more.

3D Laser Scanning: Perfect asbuilt information

3D laser scanning allows architects and engineers to design renovations from perfect as-built information. This directly addresses the need for accuracy within the tight tolerances of the hospital environment. Since human measurement error is eliminated, re-designs are greatly reduced and errors and omissions on the construction and architectural plans are also of no consequence.

3D laser scanning also gives contractors the upper hand. Since designs are based on actual existing conditions, the contractor can be more confident that it is constructible as designed.  Plus, precise material schedules developed from the model help avoid cost overruns.

The contractor can also use “clash detection” to determine exactly what must be moved or removed to complete the renovation. This technique compares the scanned as-built world to the construction plans and shows which areas are trying to occupy the same space. This significantly reduces change orders.

Owners and facilities managers also save money through efficient design and construction, as they can use the 3D picture of existing site conditions as a decision-making and communication tool during construction and a facilities management tool afterwards.

How it works

A 3D laser scanner uses harmless light rays to collect the 3D location of every object and surface it can “see” from where the instrument is set up. Scanners automatically rotate 360 degrees on a tripod, sending and receiving these light rays in all directions. In about five minutes, the scanner setup is complete and millions of data points have been collected. 

This data, which is known as a “point cloud,” is a perfect 3D asbuilt of existing conditions. The point cloud can be used by itself or modeled in a software program.

Advantages over traditional as-built techniques

3D laser scanning has many advantages over traditional measuring techniques including:

  • Accessibility: 3D laser scanners collect information from areas that can be seen but not easily accessed. For instance, scanners can collect information about MEP pipes and wires running along ceilings and other inaccessible areas.
  • Speed: Each scanner setup takes less than five minutes, so scanning crews can be in and out of an area quickly, without disturbing patients and without compromising the integrity of the data.
  • Safety: Since the scanners use harmless light rays to take measurements, neither patients nor field crews are affected. In fact, field crews do not have to be in a place to measure it.
  • Detail: No other data collection system records such precise information. Architects can see finishes, molding, and other aesthetic features and engineers can measure the locations of all objects seen by the scanner.

Conclusion

The strengths and efficiencies of 3D laser scanning are extraordinarily applicable to the unique environment of healthcare facilities. From design through construction and facilities management, all parties benefit from the precise as-built information given by this remarkable technology.

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David Headrick has over 20 years of experience in the surveying, engineering, and legal industries, both as a project manager for LandAir Surveying and as a lawyer in private practice.  He has represented numerous land surveyors, designers, architects, contractors, and other industry professionals throughout his career.  Today, David serves as an executive and project manager for LandAir Surveying Company, Inc., focused on developing and managing the company’s 3D Laser Scanning Division.  Contact him at (865) 599-0148 or dheadrick@lasurveying.com.To view his LinkedIn profile, click here.

ICSC RECon Packed with Optimism

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Las Vegas hosted the annual ICSC RECon Conference last week – the largest retail real estate convention in the world. This year had more than 35,000 attendees and a record number of individual companies. Most attendees were packed with meetings and the tradeshow floor was bustling with activity. 

 

The retail industry has definitely picked up momentum over the last few months and with the number of prospective sites and development renderings being displayed, it appears the next few years should be busy.  Many of the receptions and parties were back in full swing and the overall atmosphere was more upbeat. News on the home front was good as the Georgia contingent was represented by around 1,000 attendees. 

 

LandAir Surveying was busy discussing many new projects and exploring ways to assist in gathering as-built documentation. Two things I took away from the project discussions were:  

 

First, there is work out there and people are looking to make things happen! Deals are being done and getting valuable information into the hands of the parties doing the deals is in high demand. 

 

Secondly, because people need as-builts of existing space, this signifies that redevelopment is still very predominant. Many of the deals I saw represented in booths were infill projects, urban development and Transit Oriented Development (TOD).

 

While retail, and for that matter the economy as a whole, is not yet back to pre-recession days; there were many positive trends on display at the ICSC RECon Conference. Let’s hope this trend continues!          

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Mitch Dorsett has over 15 years in the building and construction industry and serves as director of business development for LandAir Surveying. Mitch is rapidly becoming an expert in 3D data capture and virtual design and construction, having attended and represented LandAir’s laser scanning capabilities at SPAR, RTC and Autodesk University in 2012. Contact him at mdorsett@lasurveying.com or visit www.landairsurveying.com.

3D Laser Scanning: The Best Way to Preserve Evidence on Construction Site Accident Scenes

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Q. What do cranes collapsing in New York and Missouri and a parking garage collapse in Florida have in common?

 

A. 3D Laser Scanning was used to capture and preserve evidence on each of these accident scenes.

 

Long used by criminal prosecutors, 3D laser scanning is rapidly working its way into the world of civil litigation. The more complicated the environment, the more value 3D laser scanning can add to site preservation and collection of evidence.  

 

This technology is particularly suited to construction site accidents because they are some of the most complicated environments that litigators face.  

 

Dynamic and ever-changing, construction sites can seldom be preserved for the timeframe that it takes litigants to get to court, much less conclude discovery. Similarly, due to the complicated events on a construction site, it can be difficult to capture all relevant evidence and accurately demonstrate witness lines of site and other perspectives.

 

3D Laser Scanning overcomes all of these difficulties.

 

How it works

3D laser scanners are set up on tripods and use light to measure and record the horizontal and vertical position of everything they can “see.” They capture data from each setup in less than five minutes and are moved around to different positions to collect data from every angle. 

 

This data is used to produce a 3D world that can be visited by lawyers and experts at any time for site analysis and data collection. This data can then be turned into demonstrative exhibits for the Judge and jury.

 

Traditional data collection vs. 3D laser scanning

Site preservation of a construction accident scene is typically done by one of the following methods: 

 

1.      Hand-drawn site sketches on 2D blueprints, plus 2D photographs

2.      Land surveying total-station measurements

3.      3D laser scanning, plus 3D spherical photography

 

Hand drawn sketches based on handmade measurements are commonly used to provide rudimentary 2D diagrams for use in litigation. However, in addition to providing two instances in which human error can be introduced, site sketches are time-consuming and invariably incomplete.  Photographs certainly help paint a picture for the Judge and jury, but parts of the picture are lost in translation.

 

A land surveying total station increases the accuracy of a site sketch. However, each point must be known at the time and deliberately collected. Once the site is altered, there is no opportunity to collect additional data. Plus, the limited number of points collected by this method makes constructing an accurate 3D model difficult, and thus, less likely to be admissible in court.

 

3D laser scanning addresses all of the inaccuracies and inefficiencies by providing fast, detailed, accurate, and complete information of even the most complicated environments. Perfect as-built information can be reviewed and analyzed at any time without the need for a site visit.

 

Lines of site from any point can be reconstructed. With the addition of spherical photography, the virtual world is indeed a perfect representation of the site.

 

New tools provided by 3D laser scanning technology

3D laser scanning also gives litigators new tools that were previously too pricey or just unavailable. For instance, lawyers and experts can now easily:

 

·         Visit the construction site from anywhere in the country

·         Virtually walk around the construction site and enter any building

·         Customize viewpoints to simulate those of witnesses and actors on site

·         Overlay scanned data onto photographs and measure the distance between any points

·         Preserve data that would not have been collected upon original inspection

·         Preserve data from inaccessible areas (e.g., ceilings, unsafe areas, remote locations)

·         Create a 3D model that is accurate and admissible

·         Create video fly-throughs of the job site for the Judge and jury, including animation simulating the actual accident.

 

Case studies

Crane accidents – Crane accidents are, unfortunately, a relatively common occurrence. Cranes have completely collapsed, killing and injuring construction workers in New York City and Bellevue in 2013 and Miami and Kansas City in 2008.  

 

After these accidents, nobody wants to leave the site intact. Rescuers need access. OSHA wants the site stabilized. Owners and contractors want to continue with construction. 3D laser scanning quickly collects evidence for litigants, allowing the site to be mediated without risking spoliation of evidence.

 

Additionally, these sites are unsafe until the failed structural members can be removed. For instance, after the Missouri power plant crane collapse, OSHA erected barriers to prevent anyone from entering the scene of the collapse. However, since 3D laser scanners take measurements of anything visible, forensic site data was still able to be collected.

 

The 3D nature of the data preserved allows litigants and their structural engineering experts to make more accurate theories about the mechanisms of failure. They can work backwards to determine the causes and orders of failure that led to the collapse. It also works to disprove claims made by others.

 

Miami parking garage collapse – In October 2012, a parking garage being constructed for Miami Dade College collapsed on itself. Each floor collapsed on the one below like a stack of pancakes, killing and trapping workers inside.

 

Obviously, this site needed to be cleared to locate victims, address unsafe conditions, and finish the construction. Within 24 hours of the collapse, a 3D laser scanning crew was onsite. As a result, existing site conditions were preserved so that rescue and demolition could proceed.

 

Conclusion

3D Laser Scanning is the superior method for preservation of evidence on construction site accident scenes.

 

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David Headrick has over 20 years of experience in the surveying, engineering, and legal industries, both as a project manager for LandAir Surveying and as a lawyer in private practice.  He has represented numerous land surveyors, designers, architects, contractors, and other industry professionals throughout his career.  Today, David serves as an executive and project manager for LandAir Surveying Company, Inc., focused on developing and managing the company’s 3D Laser Scanning Division.  Contact him at (865) 599-0148 or dheadrick@lasurveying.com. View his LinkedIn profile here.

Rapid As-Builts for the Retail Industry

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In the real estate market, timing is everything.

 

Those who have better and faster information win. This is what inspired LandAir Surveying to develop Laser Measuring to BIM technology to quickly document existing as-built conditions. 

 

Many retail projects begin with an existing space needing a build out for a new tenant. Field measurements must be taken to document the existing as-built conditions of the current space and owners use these as-builts to evaluate tenant requirements, determine rental rates, and create design plans. 

 

Traditional methods of field measuring are slow, inaccurate, and inefficient. In contrast, LandAir Surveying’s Laser Measuring to BIM technology provides a better way to connect the dots from prospect to rent-paying tenant.

 

As we are closing in on the start of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Annual RECon Conference, I thought it would be a good time to explain how Laser Measuring to BIM is revolutionizing as-built field measuring.

How it works

Laser Measuring to BIM works based on a blue-tooth enabled BIM workstation. LandAir’s survey team uses a laser rangefinder to transmit very precise field measurements into software that enables our technician to draw in Revit, Autodesk’s 3D software solution. 

Once the entire space is drawn in Revit, field technicians perform quality control on the data and finalize the as-built model. The Revit model data will be verified again back in the office and the final deliverable, usually either AutoCAD drawings or the 3D Revit model, is generated. 

Accuracy and speed: The best of both worlds

The Laser Measuring to BIM approach produces a more accurate depiction of existing conditions than traditional methods, because the field technicians see the final drawings as they are mapped in our CAD software. The ability to field-verify measurements while on site not only produces more accurate data, but saves time over the traditional field measurement to office drawing back to field to verify and catch what you missed technique. 

This workflow typically allows drawings to be created in hours as compared to the days traditional methods took. Because this technology can generate as-built documentation so rapidly, it expedites the rest of the process to move a tenant into the vacant space. 

Start construction faster

Producing as-built documents rapidly and accurately allows owners, brokers, and property managers to more efficiently submit sites for approval to the tenants’ corporate design team.

Since the plans are presented in a very user-friendly manner, decisions regarding the suitability of a space are easily determined. This reduces the due diligence time required by prospective tenants. And since the space-defining measurements come from an unbiased third party, rate calculation and space designation can be agreed upon faster. 

All of this leads to the design team beginning on design documents and demolition plans more quickly. Additionally, the precision of laser measuring and field verification of the Laser Measuring to BIM workflow gives designers confidence that the as-built conditions are correct and the production format (AutoCAD or Revit) is something that they can use immediately. 

Deliverables

Laser Measuring to BIM can produce both 2D drawings and 3D models with as much information, or as little detail, as needed. Some brokers may only need a simple PDF of the floor plan with doors, windows, and walls. 

On the other hand, an architect doing a full tenant build out may require a reflective ceiling plan, kitchen MEP systems, and utility plan with outlets and switches. Regardless of the need for information or the level of detail required, Laser Measuring to BIM will produce as-builts faster and more accurately than any field measuring technique used in the past.

Are you planning to attend the ICSC RECon Conference this year? If so, e-mail us. We would love to connect!

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Mitch Dorsett has over 15 years in the building and construction industry and serves as director of business development for LandAir Surveying. Mitch is rapidly becoming an expert in 3D data capture and virtual design and construction, having attended and represented LandAir’s laser scanning capabilities at SPAR, RTC and Autodesk University in 2012. Contact him at mdorsett@lasurveying.com or visit www.landairsurveying.com.

SPAR International 2013: An exciting year of industry insight

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Once again, the annual SPAR International Conference, which was held at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs this year, was an absolute “must see” event for anyone in the laser scanning, lidar or photogrammetric mapping industries.

From collecting data through alternative means like “crowdsourcing” to new programs that stream point cloud data into design files, SPAR provides insight into how our industry continues to evolve.

Check out my observations at this year’s conference in Professional Surveyor Magazine. Read more…

Laser Technology Makes Traditional Field Measuring of As-Builts Obsolete

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Ask architects what they dislike most about their jobs and many will agree that taking field measurements ranks pretty high. 

 

Measuring as-built conditions takes architects out of the office and away from the work they enjoy most and what makes them money. And many times, traditional measuring methods are inaccurate and time consuming – and that’s when the environment is simple!

 

When there are difficult conditions, taking measurements can be next to impossible. And not to mention, inevitably, there is always something missed or the field notes don’t quite match up to the rough sketches done onsite. 

 

Today, there is a better answer to field measuring existing conditions in the form of laser technology.

 

LandAir Surveying utilizes 3D laser scanning and laser measuring technologies to provide a modern solution to the task of field measuring as-built conditions. Depending on the level of complexity, amount of detail needed, deliverables required and timeframe, we can dictate which laser technology is right for each individual project. 

 

The power of laser scanning

Laser scanning is the surveying technology of choice when it comes to difficult environments.  Historic buildings, exterior elevations, heavy MEP conditions and the need for very precise measurement data capture are all examples of when laser scanning technology should be used.

 

Laser scanning generates millions of data points to create a 3D image referred to as a “point cloud.” The point cloud can be measured and viewed in any direction, which virtually puts you back at the work site.

 

The point cloud is then utilized to generate AutoCAD drawings, building information models (BIM), or used as a design tool itself.

 

The speed of laser measuring

Our advanced laser measuring technology allows for exact measurements and real time data capture of critical data and building geometry. The use of wireless laser range finders and a remote BIM workstation reduces data collection time, increases accuracy and eliminates rework.

 

Models and AutoCAD files can be generated onsite and in real time, as well as quality control and field verification, which greatly reduces the amount of work required back in the office.

 

Here are just a few examples of how laser scanning and measuring have provided more accurate information while saving valuable time and resources in the field:

 

Project Case Study: Historic Hotel Renovation

A historic hotel built in the 1930’s with no existing documents and in a bad state of disrepair was scheduled to be renovated into a modern boutique hotel. 

 

LandAir utilized both 3D laser scanning and laser measuring technology to provide a point cloud, TruView, fly-through video and AutoCAD drawings. Laser scans were performed on the exterior of the hotel to provide elevation drawings. 

 

The eight-story hotel’s exterior was brick and adorned with many architectural details. The laser scan was able to capture all of the exterior data measurements and provide additional helpful details that were viewed in the point cloud including sidewalks, tree clearances and parking lot details. 

 

The laser scan was continued into the lobby and through the first floor of the hotel, helping tie together the laser scan information and laser measuring software. Due to the nature of the construction of the hotel, each one of the over 140 rooms had to be individually measured and floor plan documents created. 

 

With LandAir’s workflow design and remote BIM workstation, QA/QC was able to be done on the rooms in the field and the irregularly shaped rooms were verified on site.

 

Project Case Study: Big Box Retail Conversion

A grocery store and two adjacent in-line stores had gone dark and were going to be renovated to accommodate a new tenant. The option on the building was expiring and there were no existing documents to help determine if the space would work for the future tenant. 

 

LandAir utilized laser measuring technology to provide AutoCAD documents and a 3D model to the designer and tenant in less than two days. The proposed design and tenant requirements were compared to existing conditions and the project was able to move forward in the required timeframe.

 

Project Case Study: Pedestrian Bridge Addition

A pedestrian bridge was proposed to be built over an extremely busy street in a large Metropolitan downtown connecting a hotel and parking deck. No drawings were available and the proposed bridge was four stories above the street, making traditional measuring very difficult and dangerous. 

 

LandAir conducted a 3D laser scan of the exterior of the hotel and the existing parking deck.  The street scape conditions, power lines, traffic signals and building tie-in points were all measured accurately and safely from the laser scanner. 

 

AutoCAD drawings, a TruView and a video fly-through were provided for the project team. The point cloud fly-through provided a 3D visualization from any vantage point of the proposed bridge.

 

This helped the hotel determine how the sight views of rooms would be affected and allowed for inspectors, DOT officials and the downtown development authority to understand the impact of the proposed bridge. 

 

Project Case Study: Mall and Food Court Renovation

A three-story open atrium food court was to be redesigned and new tenants added to the mix. 

 

The existing documents were not a true representation of existing conditions as, over the years, there had been changes and alterations to the space. Additionally, the height and design of the atrium had many features that were difficult to measure.

 

LandAir laser scanned the atrium and surrounding spaces to provide a 3D model and clash detection for the proposed design changes. Laser measuring was also utilized to produce exact as-built documents for the surrounding spaces so that the mall owner could provide drawings for future tenants to build out their stores.

 

Each project has its own challenges and needs. LandAir uses the latest laser technologies to improve these projects and put an end to one of the most painstaking tasks in construction: field measuring. Are you planning to attend ICSC RECon 2013 in Las Vegas next month? If so, e-mail me at mdorsett@lasurveying.com. We would love to meet you there!

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Mitch Dorsett has over 15 years in the building and construction industry and serves as director of business development for LandAir Surveying. Mitch is rapidly becoming an expert in 3D data capture and virtual design and construction, having attended and represented LandAir’s laser scanning capabilities at SPAR, RTC and Autodesk University in 2012. Contact him at mdorsett@lasurveying.com or visit www.landairsurveying.com

3D Laser Scanning Saves Busy Airports Big Bucks

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We love airports here at LandAir Surveying – and airports love us, too! Airport managers need quality data quickly and with minimal intrusion, which are core strengths of 3D laser scanning.

Learn how we have been able to save big bucks for some of the country’s largest and busiest airports with 3D laser scanning…

Clash detection

3D laser scanning adds a lot of value to construction and remodeling projects inside airports, which are large, complicated facilities. Utilities, baggage handlers, human conveyors, escalators, and other features are closely packed together, making it impractical and expensive for architects and engineers to measure every feature individually (which would be subject to human error, anyway).

Conversely, 3D laser scanning does not miss important details and delivers an excellent asbuilt on a consistent basis.

Once scanned, we can perform a “clash detection” analysis by comparing the existing facilities to the new proposed design. In airport projects, often some existing features will have to be removed, whether temporarily or permanently, so we look for features from the asbuilt and new design that want to occupy the same space.

Using this technique, architects, engineers, and contractors can essentially “test” the new design against real conditions before construction begins. Contractors can easily see unexpected interferences and save money budgeted to fix these unknown “clashes.”

One of the biggest airport projects we have done recently was in Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The client wanted to build a luggage conveyor through an existing portion of the airport. In this video of our scan, you can see that our software has painted all of the areas that clashed red, making them easily visible.

In our scan, we found that an unknown structural column was located in the center of the new proposed conveyor. The general contractor was able to save our fee and much more by identifying these interferences in the design phase rather than paying for them in the construction phase. Ultimately, our services more than paid for themselves.

Minimal intrusion

3D laser scanning also has the advantage of being minimally intrusive to patrons of the airport.  On top of being significantly faster than traditional surveying, the scanning process is much less obvious.

The scanner uses light reflected from any given surface without the need for another worker to hold a rod or mirror on the object being located.

For example, the airport in San Francisco needed an asbuilt of its luggage handling system, but this required data from the area where travelers actually picked up their luggage. With 3D laser scanning, we were able to collect the necessary data quickly and efficiently. Most of the patrons had no idea that they were even in an area being scanned.

Shorter runway shutdown times

3D laser scanning may lend itself even more to scanning an airport’s outside facilities.

When a runway has to be redesigned, it must often be resurveyed to account for settlement and movement. Survey crews must be able to locate the existing pavement, lights, striping, etc. Depending on the runway, this can take several weeks with traditional surveying methods and requires the runway to be closed.

With 3D laser scanning, data is collected in less than half the time. Plus, every square foot of the runway is captured as opposed to the traditional 25-foot grid. Airports face reduced runway shutdown time and our field crews are safer. It’s a true win-win scenario.

For example, one regional airport in Southeast Georgia needed to resurface its runway. They needed topographic data accurate to within ¼-inch and they needed it fast. We provided a scanning crew to quickly collect the data and delivered the project with the required accuracy within their required timeframe.

3D laser scanning’s ability to capture the entire runway can lead to the creation of more accurate glide slopes, which are the paths used by airplanes approaching the landing strip. We provided this service to Lockheed at the Dobbins Air Force Base in Marietta, Georgia.

Unlimited applications

There are many other applications for 3D laser scanning in and around airports. Recently, we had the opportunity to do a somewhat unusual scan for an airport in Arkansas.

Developers were planning to build hotels and other commercial properties around and adjacent to the airport property. However, several decades ago, large underground storm drains were installed through the proposed property with limited record of where these pipes existed.

We were able to use 3D laser scanning to determine the location, size, and dimensions of these storm pipes.

It was a tight squeeze, but our crew traversed through all the storm pipes from the river outlet through to the runway. The contractors learned where the pipes were, engineers learned their locations and storm water capacities, and the owner gained valuable information about its assets. 3D laser scanning benefitted everyone involved.

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David Headrick has over 20 years of experience in the surveying, engineering and legal industries, both as a project manager for LandAir Surveying and as a lawyer in private practice. He has represented numerous land surveyors, designers, architects, contractors and other industry professionals throughout his career. Today, David serves as an executive and project manager for LandAir, focused on developing and managing the company’s 3D Laser Scanning department. Contact him at dheadrick@lasurveying.com.