Possible applications of the 3D laser scanning technology in civil engineering

Abstract

Considering the constant drive to improve and accelerate building processes as well as possible applications of the latest technological achievements in civil engineering practice, the author has proposed to use 3D laser scanning in the construction industry. Field studies have been conducted on two buildings located on the university campus in Olsztyn, with the aim of verifying whether the said technology will find implementations in everyday work of civil engineers. Using a 3D laser scanner in a building process will provide an opportunity to accelerate certain activities, making the whole process more efficient. For example, data achieved through a 3D laser scanning process will facilitate making inventories of parameters of buildings in a very short time, will enable one to check irregularly shaped masses of earth, heavy and practically impossible to calculate precisely using traditional techniques. The other part of the research, performed in the laboratory, consisted of measurements of a model mound of earth. All the measurements were made with a 3D SkanStation C10 laser scanner manufactured by Leica. The data were analyzed. The results suggest that there are great opportunities for using the laser scanning technology in civil engineering.