Facility managers at a manufacturing facility in Tennessee wanted accurate existing conditions documentation of their entire plant and the surrounding grounds, to aid with future planning and possible renovations.
GPRS Project Manager Marcus Buck utilized our 3D laser scanning services to capture every inch of the roughly 219,000-square-foot facility, so that our in-house Mapping & Modeling Department could create a digital twin for safe and efficient project management.
Large-scale facilities can be a nightmare to maintain. They feature complex networks of overhead pipes and buried utilities that must be protected from damage whenever excavation is required. There are countless hard-to-reach areas, and other potentially dangerous conditions that make it difficult to obtain the accurate data needed for efficient operations & maintenance.
GPRS 3D Laser Scanning Services capture accurate as-built documentation of buildings and infrastructure with Leica LiDAR laser scanners to deliver point clouds, 2D CAD drawings, and 3D Building Information Modeling (BIM) that expedite project planning and execution.
3D laser scanners record highly accurate digital measurements of sites and assets in the form of a point cloud and can be used to create 2D CAD drawings and intelligent 3D BIM models that improve project workflows, shorten turnaround times, and reduce costs. BIM models provide contractors, engineers, architects, and facility managers an accurate digital twin of buildings and infrastructure to collaborate on design, construction, and operations.
GPRS can also translate 3D laser scan data into 2D CAD drawings that provide your team with up-to-date floor plans, elevations, sections, details, isometric drawings, reflected ceiling plans, and more. These up-to-date as-builts connect the dots between what’s visible and what is hidden, giving you accurate information about hard-to-reach areas as well as the locations of all above and belowground MEP features.
Buck scanned the plant, including its exterior and on the roof, to provide a 2-4mm accurate point cloud of the property. This data was then used to create a 3D model to suit the client’s needs.
“The client was shocked at how much information and data the laser was capturing,” Buck said.
Our biggest challenge on this project was the size of the facility.
“There were so many hidden rooms with pipes, tanks and storage,” Buck explained. “One door always led to another, so getting my bearings to plan the most efficient path without taking redundant setups was a challenge.”
The accurate, field-verified data Buck collected was uploaded into SiteMap® (patent pending), GPRS’ facility & project management application that provides accurate existing conditions documentation to protect your assets and people.
SiteMap® provides you and your team secure access to your infrastructure data 24/7, from any computer, tablet or smartphone, allowing you to plan, design, manage, dig, and ultimately build better.
With SiteMap® and our SIM-certified Project Managers, GPRS has the training, experience and technology to Intelligently Visualize The Built World® and keep your projects on time, on budget, and safe.
What can we help you visualize?
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my project is limited within the physical space?
Some projects require special applications due to limitations within the physical setting. This is often due to line-of-sight issues and when a scan must be done safely from the ground or with precautionary distance. Some of these applications would include above-ceiling MEP features in hospitals where it is necessary to maintain negative airflow or interstitial spaces that are congested with limited access. Since laser scanning is a non-contact measurement tool (i.e. we can scan from a safe distance or location) this becomes a powerful tool for solving these complex challenges.
What deliverables can GPRS provide?
Our in-house Mapping & Modeling Department can provide 3D modeling in many formats, including:
- Point Cloud Data (Raw Data)
- 2D CAD Drawings
- 3D Non-Intelligent Models
- 3D BIM Models
- JetStream Viewer
Customizable deliverables upon request include:
- Aerial Photogrammetry
- Comparative Analysis
- Deformation Analysis
- Digital Drawings of GPR Markings
- Floor Flatness Analysis/Contour Mapping
- New Construction Accuracy Analysis/Comparative Analysis
- Point Cloud Modeling Training Webinars
- Reconciliation of Clients 2D Design Drawings
- Reconciliation of Clients 3D Design Model
- Structural Steel Shape Probability Analysis
- Template Modeling
- Volume Calculations
- Wall Plumb Analysis
What is LiDAR?
LiDAR is a remote sensing method used to generate precise, three-dimensional information about the shape of an object and its surface characteristics. Much like radar systems that employ radio waves to measure objects, LiDAR uses lasers to calculate the distance of objects with light pulses from 3D laser scanners, gathering 3D information about an object.
What is BIM?
BIM stands for Building Information Modeling and is more than just a 3D model. 3D BIM scanning gives engineers the ability to manage the building data throughout its whole life cycle. It provides accurate spatial relationships and manufacturer details, as well as geographic information and other pertinent aspects of the building.
What is a digital twin?
A digital twin is highly complex virtual model that is the exact counterpart (or twin) of a physical object. GPRS uses 3D laser scanners to collect real-time data for a building or facility and create a digital duplicate. Data can be easily visualized, measured and analyzed. Digital twins can be used to improve efficiencies, optimize workflows and detect problems before they occur.
