For our project, Brad and I will be
looking into 3D laser scanning and its applications within the construction
industry to improve the process. With
the improvements of technology today, the construction and design fields are starting
to fall behind. Typically, 2D CAD is
still used for as-built drawings and for existing drawings. The use of 3D scanning is already being implemented
to put existing conditions into 3D models, but there is still much room for
improvement and development.
With the use of 3D scanning, we
could improve the field work without hindering standard labor practices. Although a 3D model helps designers and
owners picture how the building will be built, contractors typically just need
the 2D CAD drawings to put everything into place. 3D scanners would help bring the two sides of
the construction industry together. My
group will investigate how current practices could be improved to make the
relationship between constructor and designer better and onsite measurements
more accurate.
One example of 3D scanning currently
in use is scanning existing conditions to be put into 3D BIM models. This allows designers to go out into the
field, scan the room in question and automatically have a 3D BIM model created. This does not require the designers to take
measurements and sketch up what was found during the visit, which may be
inaccurate compared to the scan. This technology
can be improved upon for as-builts to be sent directly to the designer with a
BIM model so that they can adjust their design accordingly. The field personnel would have less
communication issues and the designers would not have to spend as much time
making multiple site visits.
Another example to improve upon is
the use of drones in the field. Currently,
drones are being used to fly the same path of a site every day. This will be recorded in a video to show site
progress daily. This is the current
practice that could be improved with a 3D scanning system. The video is currently just a visual
recording of the site and investigations must be done to see the differences
every day. With 3D scans, different
survey points and elevations could be measured.
This would help contractors have a more definite idea of how the site is
changing every day and give them real values to report to the owner.
References:
Link, Jeff. “Drones in Construction Are the Next Big Technological Boom.” Redshift, 30 Oct. 2017, www.autodesk.com/redshift/drones-in-construction/.
Speakman, William. “3D Scanning for Better BIM: An MEP Firm's Search for an Alternative to Laser ScanningAECbytes Viewpoint #77 (February 11, 2016).” 3D Scanning for Better BIM: AECbytes Viewpoint, ACEbytes, 11 Feb. 2016, www.aecbytes.com/viewpoint/2016/issue_77.html.
Responses:
1) Dung Tran
I like your idea for this project. I think it poses a challenging task while integrating all aspects of Revit. One thing that might make your project more interesting is to try to make the current building more energy efficient. Maybe you can look at doing an energy analysis of what you design for the original building and then trying to make it more efficient. It might be a good challenge for you if you end up having time for it at the end of the term. Other than that, I look forward to seeing what the finished product looks like.
2) Allison Abad
I like your topic since it directly relates to your senior design project. For some of your challenges, do you know if there is any research or development into any of those factors? Such as if there were to be developments into creating a colony on Mars, would there be any possibility of setting up GPS systems for these automated builders? I am certainly interested in hearing about how you and Tom combat these problems and what the possible solutions are. Good luck!
3) Carlos Hillinger
It seems like your topic is a little broad. For your own benefit, you may want to try to narrow it down since you are essentially trying to improve all aspects of these countries. I think the construction development research is very interesting, however. I would be interested in knowing how to help these countries develop with a budget. I am sure that this is something that would have trouble funding, so it may be important for you to figure out the least expensive, most effective option to supporting these countries. Best of luck on your project and I look forward to seeing how your project develops.
1) Dung Tran
I like your idea for this project. I think it poses a challenging task while integrating all aspects of Revit. One thing that might make your project more interesting is to try to make the current building more energy efficient. Maybe you can look at doing an energy analysis of what you design for the original building and then trying to make it more efficient. It might be a good challenge for you if you end up having time for it at the end of the term. Other than that, I look forward to seeing what the finished product looks like.
2) Allison Abad
I like your topic since it directly relates to your senior design project. For some of your challenges, do you know if there is any research or development into any of those factors? Such as if there were to be developments into creating a colony on Mars, would there be any possibility of setting up GPS systems for these automated builders? I am certainly interested in hearing about how you and Tom combat these problems and what the possible solutions are. Good luck!
3) Carlos Hillinger
It seems like your topic is a little broad. For your own benefit, you may want to try to narrow it down since you are essentially trying to improve all aspects of these countries. I think the construction development research is very interesting, however. I would be interested in knowing how to help these countries develop with a budget. I am sure that this is something that would have trouble funding, so it may be important for you to figure out the least expensive, most effective option to supporting these countries. Best of luck on your project and I look forward to seeing how your project develops.
Cody,
ReplyDeleteYour project seems to be very interesting and you are correct in saying that if 3D scanning could be an industry standard it would save a lot of people a lot time both in the construction and design industries. I also would like to point out that to this day, many of the sites are scanned by drones to get the initial elevations for both the CAD drawings and the plans. There is still a lot of needed improvement though because if the site has a lot of brush or trees, the initial scan will come up with elevations 2’ higher than what they actually are. Having this ability in the construction industry would help tremendously.
Cody,
ReplyDeleteI really like how your topic is aimed at finding a way to improve the construction industry. It is very true what you said about 3D models, which are generally seen by the client and the designer and never passed on further. 3D scanning would be very helpful for even site walk-throughs and even in places such as pharmaceutical labs. Many times once a lab is sealed workers/designers are unable to get back in and have to rely on the fact that construction was done according to the plans exactly as well as rely on pictures which are not always accurate. 3D scanning would be great in this case to be able to have accurate plan of what is in the space, which was a daily problem I saw at my first coop.
I think your topic idea of 3D scanning in a construction context is really interesting! I hadn't really considered it before, but your example of using a 3D scan to generate an existing conditions plan could potentially save so much time (and thereby, money!). I've personally spent so many hours compiling existing conditions plans for new construction projects, based on survey points and city plans, and it would be so great to have mainstream technology that makes the process a lot less labor-intensive. I'm excited to see what other applications you can find for this technology.
ReplyDeleteI honestly had never thought about the possibilities of a 3D scanner in both design and construction fields. Using them to map existing conditions would be incredibly helpful, especially if the structural or mechanical systems are very complicated. I saw Lucy commented about how helpful this technology would be for pharma labs. From working on HVAC systems for labs, I know the existing conditions can be complicated and difficult to show precisely on plans. This technology would be incredibly useful in those scenarios.
ReplyDeleteCody,
ReplyDeleteYour project of 3D scanning seems very interesting. I agree that the develop of 3D scanning can create the model that help constructor and designer to better measure the site. It is like Revit and AutoCAD. Your can have a better understand of site through the 3D model compare to the 2D drawing. But one concern I have is that the cost of 3D scanning might be higher. Contractors might not want to spend extra money.
Hi Cody,
ReplyDeleteI like your topic project about 3D Laser Scanning and I am very interested to learn more what you and brad are going to find in this research. I personally didn’t think that it was possible to 3D scanning the existing building model with drone because I haven’t seen anything like it in the real world. Your topic interests me to learn more about 3D laser scanning. What do you think will be the major challenges for your project?
Cody,
ReplyDeleteI really like the topic and Brad chose, I think that it can change the construction industry and make much need improvements to how things are conducted and hopefully it can bring some much needed modernization to a field that is stubborn in its approach. I just think that your topic will have the same challenge as my topic, and the fear is that it will have trouble getting implemented, and it will take some time to have everyone buy into the idea.
Cody,
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great tool for the construction industry for so many purposes. As you mentioned it can create 3-D models of buildings for renovations and the like. Another application that may be possible in the future, the the proper correlation with a program such as Revit, could be the ability to store the models and reconfigure them into different components. This would mirror the concept of libraries and architects could even use this type of catalogue for inspiration as they do real pre-existing buildings.