Business Case of Laser Scanning

Last week, Laura Handler, Q5 Director of Operations, presented on the business case for laser scanning to the local chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC). Other presenters included: Gene Roe Ph.D, PE, PLS of Spar Point; Mike Clifford of DGT Survey Group; and Greg Lawes of Meridian.

All of the presenters shared interesting case studies and thoughts; however, there were a few great soundbites that merit attention:

Gene Roe echoed many others when comparing the current transformation in the AECO industry to the internet. “This changes everything.”

After reviewing some of the technical specs of laser scanning, Greg Lawes switched gears and explained the single reason why anyone would use laser scanning to document existing conditions: to reduce risk.

Unlike the other presenters, Laura Handler isn’t in the laser scanning business, so was able to support the business case. She agreed with Lawes that the reason to laser scan is to reduce risk, and reviewed specific projects where laser scanning facilitate exactly that (including this project).

After the presentation,  all four presenters met to discuss the state of the laser scanning industry and pinch points. The group intends to put together a position paper on laser scanning. More details on that to come.

Plan for the Scan

Today, the BIMForum Constructor’s Subforum held its first monthly webinar, discussing laser scanning. The BIMForum decided to tackle this topic because, in the words of Pat Carmichael from HKS, it enables a “level of detail of built analysis that you can’t effectively get any other way”. Pat gave the architectural perspective on laser scanning. He walked through several of HKS’ use cases, mostly stadium projects, and addressed the value that they get from the process.

Mario Mazzi, from one of Turner Construction’s West Coast offices, outlined their process for planning laser scanning. It is similar to one that we would recommend, so we added some Q5 advice in context:

Step 1: Plan

Determine the end use for the laser scan data. Do you want to coordinate new design with existing conditions, compare as-built conditions with as-designed data or something else entirely? Will you convert to BIM or use in native point cloud format?

Step 2: How to Collect?

You basically have three options: subcontract the laser scanning, rent a laser scanner or purchase your own. Some general criteria:

If you have over 6 months of laser scanning to do, buy. Why? Because laser scanners cost $120K to purchase and $20K/month to rent.

So how do you decide if you want to subcontract or rent? It really depends on your organization and your project. Do you have surveying capabilities in-house? Can you dedicate a team to laser scanning? Do you want to train staff in data collection or modeling? How large is the space? What type of scanner will you need? Since many projects require multiple types (for close-up and distance), it may not be cost effective to rent.

Step 3: What to Collect/Model?

Determine your level of detail. What objects do you really need to capture or model? Although a laser scanner will capture everything in “line of sight”, you may not need to convert everything to Building Information Model format.

Step 4: Map Your Schedule

Create a schedule that includes time to capture data, which may be based on when you can access the space. Map out how and when data will be sent, and if data will be sent intermittently or only when complete.

If you’re interested in a laser scanning your existing assets or renovation space, feel free to contact us with any questions.

Opportunity to Learn About Laser Scanning

If you are working on or developing a tenant fitout, historic renovation or existing building, laser scanning is an efficient, accurate method to document existing conditions. Laura Handler, Director of Operations of Q5, is speaking on the topic with three other industry experts. In an excerpt from the event brochure:

GSA has recently embraced the use of 3D laser scanning to document existing buildings as part of its mandated BIM requirement. Fast tracking infrastructure projects to construction-ready status is a growth opportunity is today’s economy…This breakfast program brings together a panel of industry experts will discuss what 3D laser scanning is; its application, work methods, costs and benefits…

The session will be held on Wednesday, November 4, 2009, at the Westin in Waltham MA, presentations starting at 8AM. For more information or to register, click here.

Laser Scanning to Document Construction Progress

Although there has been an increase in documentation of historic buildings with laser scanning, there are other ways to utilize laser scanning. On a recent project, Q5 was brought on board to document the variation between the design and execution of recently completed foundations and structure outside Chicago.

After converting the laser scan data to a BIM, Q5 compared and reported significant variation in conditions.

Model a Historic Building

One of our existing conditions projects is a repurpose of a 720,000 SF cast-in-place structure in Philadelphia, originally constructed in the 1940s, to a mixed use complex. Although the project in the middle of construction documents, based on the original as-builts, we laser scanned the project to validate the existing conditions.

Laser Scan Data

We converted this to Revit and then added the new design. Through this process, we were able to understand discrepancies between the as-built documents and actual building and resolve them prior to construction.

Building Information Model created from Laser Scan Data

One of those issues was the variation in the floor to floor of the 6^th level. The 6^th level of the actual building was 1’ less than the documented level, affecting coordination and window sizes. Had we not discovered this variation until later in design (or worse, until installation), the project would have suffered with significant cost overruns and delays.

Q5 assists with BIM authoring of existing conditions for historic buildings, tenant fit-out projects and renovations.

BIM for Existing Conditions

Recently, we’ve received quite a few requests regarding Building Information Models for existing buildings – for both historic buildings and new construction. Utilizing BIM for renovation or tenant fit-out work requires more than modeling the as-builts.

To accurately create an existing conditions model, we start with a process that is gaining more traction, laser scanning. We then convert that information into Revit, to serve as the basis for the Building Information Model. This process is not automated and generally requires a unique approach for projects, but there is significant value in accurately understanding existing conditions.