A GPRS Case Study

Power Plant Renovations Require 3D Laser Scanning

This power plant must operate as efficiently as possible. Our client cannot afford any delays or malfunctions, with so many people dependent on the energy supply.

Chan Lam, Pe

Senior EPC Project Manager/ Principal Mechanical

Highlights

THE BOTTOM LINE

In just one day on site, GPRS was able to capture the entire existing condition of the facility, even in dense pipe runs and hard-to-reach spaces, with 2-4mm accuracy to provide the client with an accurate 3D BIM model for planning, fabrication, and clash detection

INDUSTRY

Facility, Power

SERVICE

3D Laser Scanning, Mapping and Modeling

LOCATION

Modesto, California

PM Insight

Deliverables

PROJECT APPLICATION

Laser scanning to create an intelligent 3D BIM model would accelerate the engineering of facility upgrades

ASK

Capture accurate existing conditions documentation with 2-4mm accuracy with no interruptions to plant operations, and provide a 3D BIM model for planning, fabrication, and safe installation of renovations

Download PDF

Task

An engineering firm needed to have existing conditions of a power plant documented and modeled to plan for renovations.

PROBLEM

The client needed to accurately document the existing conditions of the plant without interruptions to the power supply
Many of the pipe runs were dense and impossible to accurately measure by hand
The client required 2-4 mm accuracy of dense piping and pipe runs throughout the facility
The client needed to guarantee that installations complied with safety regulations

Solution

In one day on site, GPRS’ Project Manager used the Leica RTC360 laser scanner to capture 150 laser scans, documenting existing conditions of the facility
Many of the pipe runs were dense and impossible to accurately measure by hand
GPRS generated a 3D BIM model for use in CAD software, including all civil, structural, electrical, and mechanical features, piping, and conduit 1” and larger

Benefits

Due to the vast space and density of the piping, it would have been much more difficult and time consuming to accurately depict the location of pipe runs, structural features, and other details in the plant manually
The point cloud data from laser scanning was used by CAD technicians to create an intelligent 3D BIM model for planning, fabrication and clash detection
Verified measurements and virtual planning guarantee installations will comply with safety regulations
Using virtual 3D models, the firm can plan and model future developments to manage the facility without having to re-enter the site