3D Information for Civil Engineering.
LiDAR or light detection and ranging scanning is a powerful technology that support many engineering needs and processes. LiDAR is also referred to as high definition surveying (HDS). This technology is both portable and fast and creates 3D point cloud or measurement data that accurately establishes existing features or ‘as built’ conditions. Millions of 3D points are typically captured in only a few minutes time.
Sometimes referred to as ‘reality capture’ this 3D information is used to support road construction, plant layout changes, inspect buildings during constructions, material quantity calculations, stability measurement in 3D detail among many other applications.
LiDAR scanners are also capable of capturing full colour detail. As a result the scanning process ensure a 3D model is available for a full 3D fly through of the now digitized site. Airborne or drone-based LiDAR can also be used to complete highly detailed 3D surveys of remote facilities or industrial locations where safe access may be limited.
The 3D scanning or ‘reality capture’ process relies upon portable equipment and skilled experts from the Applied Precision 3D Team. This information is transformed into a single 3D point cloud dataset prior to building highly detailed 3D models reflecting the ‘as built’ or ‘as found’ site conditions. This process is often called ‘scan to CAD’. These models can then be readily imported into most types of CAD and engineering software for further analysis and design reference.