Using precision tripod mounted laser scanners, any building or structure can be mapped to mm accuracies. The data is collected completely remotely without the need to physically touch anything. From a safety perspective, this can be very effective in mitigating risk as the mapping is done without the need to climb and take measurements by hand. With a laser that measures millions of points, 3D Scan data can then be integrated with other information in CAD, GIS and web platforms where it can be used by engineers make informed decisions. The data can also be integrated into the engineering design workflow to identify design conflicts and to test design feature ideas.
WSP has conducted numerous 3D laser scans on a variety of man-made and natural features and can provide 3D laser scanning services. The data from 3D laser scans has been used by engineers to help with decision making throughout project life cycles in nearly every engineering sector including buildings, transportation, infrastructure, rails, aviation, energy, utilities and oil and gas.
The applications are endless, as WSP specialists can collect as-built data for many types of structures, including piping, single vessels and entire plants, as well as topographies, including single and multi-lane roads, intersections and bridges.
Laser scanning offers several advantages over traditional survey methods:
- Proven lower cost as-built and topographic surveys, due to faster data collection and shorter project cycle times
Reduction or elimination of costly return visits to the site
- More accurate, complete as-builts for retrofit and design, enabling offsite fabrication and less construction rework caused by interferences and fit-up problems
- Reduced facility downtime, as a result of the unobtrusive scanning procedure
- Scan data can be delivered via a complementary viewer, as 2D or 3D CAD, or in a variety of laser scan formats that can be manipulated by the client.
