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.

Going to SPAR International?

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We are getting ready for the SPAR Point Group’s 10th annual conference “End to End 3D: Capture, Process, Deliver” in Colorado Springs, Colorado, April 15-18. This is the main event of the year for people in the 3D laser scanning business.

For starters, every manufacturer and software developer in the 3D laser scanning world is sponsoring the event and will be in attendance. We can expect to be dazzled by live demonstrations of the latest and greatest scanners, software, and technology. If you haven’t heard, many announcements have been made in the past few months about breakthroughs, innovations, and technological advancements.

The conference will also be a comprehensive educational opportunity with lots of classes and workshops. Just about every aspect of 3D laser scanning will be presented and discussed.

Attendees can also choose to concentrate on one of the offered tracks: Industrial Facilities, New Technologies, Civil Infrastructure, and Forensic & Security. We will try to check out some of them all. Please let us know if there is a specific topic you would like us to look into. After all, if you need it, we need to know about it!

The topics listed on the website include 3D laser scanning, structured light, LiDAR, photogrammetry, reverse engineering, 3D/4D GIS, Kinect, indoor/portable mapping, autonomous vehicles, mobile survey, point cloud processing, airborne LiDAR /terrestrial integration, open source, web sharing, VIM, augmented reality, 3D printing, simulation, and visualization.

Did I mention that one of the keynote speakers will be Michael Jones, chief technology advocate for Google? That one will certainly be well attended.

With all of these events, we just hope to be able to enjoy a little of Colorado Springs and the stunning Broadmoor Resort that is hosting the conference. Hopefully, we’ll get some better Spring weather!

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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.

How 3D laser scanning keeps us safe…

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All of the hype over 3D laser scanning often glosses over another critical advantage it has over traditional land surveying: safety.

When asked to go out and procure data, we land surveyors must go where the data is and some of these places can be very dangerous. With 3D laser scanning, data can be collected faster and less intrusively than ever before, keeping our field crews out of harm’s way.

Think about it: where do you typically see land surveyors? On the side of the road!

Roads are frequently included in all manners of land surveying. They can be boundaries for property or serve as access to new commercial developments. For surveyors who work for the Department of Transportation, their whole job could be comprised of roads.

We all know that pedestrians have the right-of-way, but anyone who has crossed a busy highway can vouch for the fact that cars and trucks rule the road. Anything that limits the amount of time our field crews stand on roads ultimately makes our jobs safer.

3D laser scanning improves safety in two ways. First, it significantly decreases the amount of time surveyors have to be out in the field. When fieldwork can be completed with less instrument set-ups, field crews spend less time standing on bridges, highway abutments and railroad tracks.

Second, since 3D laser scanning uses light to collect data without the requirement of a reflective mirror held by a rodman, field crews do not have to physically occupy every point that they collect. These points can be located after the data goes back to the office.

This keeps field crews from having to locate such features as road striping, small medians between busy roads, concrete highway barriers and railroad trestles.

There are plenty of other less common examples. For instance, if a building is unstable, such as after a fire or structural failure, 3D laser scanning allows the data to be collected from a distance.

Similarly, when it is necessary to locate rough geography like a steep slope or cliff face, 3D laser scanning can negate the need for fall protection equipment. This is even more true when it is necessary to locate unstable slopes and landslides.

So, while it’s great to talk about the fact that 3D laser scanning brings home more data at a higher quality than ever before, we also truly value that it’s keeping our people safe.

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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.

 

A Hidden Place Where Laser Scanning Provides High Value

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If you think laser scanning provides a substantial amount of value for aerial and terrestrial projects, just wait until you hear about the benefits of taking it here. Click here to check out Tate’s featured blog on GeoDataPoint.com…

Hotel and Casino Markets Bring Big Opportunities for 3D Laser Surveys

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It looks like 2013 will be a banner year for the hospitality industry.

In 2012, U.S. hoteliers collectively sold more than 1.1 billion rooms. Las Vegas welcomed a record 40 million visitors last year and nationwide commercial gambling revenues surpassed the $35.6 billion mark in 2011, up from $34.6 billion in 2010.

A recent study released by the American Gaming Association (AGA) reports that the commercial casino industry supported approximately $125 billion in spending and nearly 820,000 jobs in the U.S. economy in 2010, based on direct, indirect and induced impacts.

Though development, funding, business travel, convention participation and disposable income were almost non-existent over the last five years, the hospitality industry is making a comeback.

So, what does all of this mean to the construction industry? How can the AEC community, which has struggled for years, take advantage of this opportunity?

It already is. The number of projects in the pipeline has already greatly increased during the first two months of 2013 over the first two months of 2012. The AIA reports that the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) is reflecting its strongest growth since November 2007.

Not only is the number of new ground-up projects increasing, but renovations and expansions are also happening at a record pace.

Hotels and resorts are expanding, updating rooms, adding new restaurants, providing more services and implementing property improvement plans (PIP) that have been on hold.

As a result of all of this construction, we have seen a tremendous surge in the need for accurate as-built documentation from owners, designers, engineers and contractors.

They need to know what they have and they need to know fast – and 3D laser scanning and measuring services are in high demand.

In just the past few months, our firm has completed a wide variety of projects and requests including field measuring and verification of rooms, hallways and common areas; documentation of exterior elevations and connect points for building expansions, theatres, meeting spaces and parking decks; and complete renovations of old hotels or buildings being transformed into new facilities.

Here are just a few examples of some of our recent projects:

Hotel Renovation

We provided as-built documentation for common areas, hallways and over 100 interior rooms in a major hotel renovation project using laser scanning and laser measuring to produce AutoCAD documents and 3D models.

Rather than measuring each space then returning to the office to create documents, we utilized our laser data capture techniques to wirelessly import to a BIM workstation. This allowed us to measure and create 3D models and AutoCAD files on site and in real time.

We were able to generate floor plans, reflected ceiling plans and interior elevations in the field, which led to increased accuracy, reduced collection and drafting time, and eliminated the need for return visits.

The architect was able to begin work on floor plans immediately while we continued to measure additional floors.

Mechanical Room Boiler/Chiller Replacement

We generated a 3D laser scan of a 20,000 square foot mechanical room, providing a level of accuracy and detail that would have been unattainable with traditional measuring techniques due to the amount of heavy piping and ductwork required.

This enabled designers to drop their prospective model into the point cloud and determine clash issues and tie-in points. The laser scan saved field rework time, material costs and allowed enhanced coordination amongst the project team.

Casino Theater Addition

Because there was insufficient data on the existing condition of the space targeted for the design of a theater, we provided a point cloud and TruView to the contractor and design team via a 3D laser scan. The point cloud allowed for existing mechanical systems and structural elements to be measured and inventoried.

The results increased the speed of design, reduced cost of materials and field rework, assisted with developing a safety plan, and increased collaboration efforts between team members.

As the hospitality industry continues to expand, the demand for 3D laser surveying will increase as clients search for ways to save time and money on their construction and renovation projects. You can bet on it!

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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

BIM: Breakfast of Champions

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Whenever my travel and work schedules allow, I try to attend the BIM Breakfasts at Georgia Tech.

Held once a month on the Georgia Tech campus, the breakfast brings together some of the best and brightest minds in the Atlanta area.

The February event featured speaker James Barrett, the national director of integrated building solutions for Turner Construction. Jim specializes in virtual design and construction/Building Information Modeling (BIM) technologies, lean processes, and integrated project delivery.

Put in layman’s terms, he is pushing BIM and virtual design tools to the limit. Under his leadership, Turner Construction has become one of the top BIM users in the world.

Jim does not push BIM just because it’s BIM. His idea is that his designers and contractors need to use the best tools available to help their company succeed and their clients get the best results. The BIM process and virtual design flows naturally from that core idea.

Turner also does not push one specific type of software, but instead teaches as many as 10 or 12 different packages that their best and brightest have become familiar with. As with any tool, Jim explains, no one tool will do everything.

Another point he made was this: when you roll out a new technology, don’t try to convince the world that it’s the best way to go. Instead, show it to the early adopters and let them prove that it works and that it’s the most efficient option. It will naturally make its way to other potential users.

For me, this point really hit home.

In 2005, we began using terrestrial lidar and 3D scanning technology. I have traveled to many firms in the southeast and tried to sell the benefits to the whole AEC community.

Initially, I had minimum success. It was early in the process and few of the established firms were interested at that time. However, I did find a few and slowly built a successful 3D laser scanning division that still thrives today.

These firms were the early adopters. Ironically, it was not always the young guys that were the most open to new ideas. Sometimes it was an older person who could see like I did where this technology was headed.

Now this technology is almost mainstream and is an integral part of the BIM process.

In his presentation, Jim pointed out that in New York City they have “view protection” and laser scans are used to document the view of the construction site.

In the BIM toolbox, when you identify a complicated project, laser scanning is a tool that you should certainly consider. The benefits and uses of laser scanning data are numerous and the risk of not using one and incurring additional costs down the road can be significant.

Another really good idea that Jim presented was that every year, they take a small percentage of their new hires and immerse them into what they call BIM University.

These people then become experts that the rest of the company can learn from. This gives every group in the company and geographic area internal experts that they can lean on to best implement the technologies of BIM. What a great idea!

They even started an intra-company communication site on their intranet so that users anywhere in the company can post a question. In minutes, experts throughout the company can provide insights and answers and have a forum to share their knowledge.

I believe this practice will continue to grow as companies see the value of tapping into the knowledge base they already have with their employees. What a great tool for a leader to build in their own company.

Jim’s presentation also touched on the other tools that help to automate the construction and design process like the ability to view augmented reality on iPads with the use of QR codes. At his firm, they work with public inspectors to load iPads with plans and drawings to make their process quicker and more efficient.

He also addressed the effect that 3D printing will have on the construction industry. Though it will not likely take the place of massive building material needs, it will fill a unique need when a limited number of items are needed in a quantity that can be met with industrial 3D printers, he said.

There will always be people who question whether we need BIM and virtual design and construction. I cannot completely understand why anyone in the AEC industry would still be asking this question, but I do understand that in some subsets, there is much more low-hanging fruit than in others and for these, early adoption is a no brainer.

The push for BIM and virtual design use and innovation is coming out of the construction industry as the large GC firms have pushed it further and further into their processes.

If you are in the Atlanta area and want to see and meet some of the best minds in BIM, I do recommend the Georgia Tech BIM Breakfast forum. Every time I go, I learn something.

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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.