Extraction of main levels of a building from a large point cloud

Horizontal levels are references entities, the base of man-made environments. Their creation is the first step for various applications including the BIM (Building Information Modelling). BIM is an emerging methodology, widely used for new constructions, and increasingly applied to existing buildings (scan-to-BIM). The as-built BIM process is still mainly manual or semi-automatic and therefore is highly time-consuming. The automation of the as-built BIM is a challenging topic among the research community. This study is part of an ongoing research into the scan-to-BIM process regarding the extraction of the principal structure of a building. More specifically, here we present a strategy to automatically detect the building levels from a large point cloud obtained with a terrestrial laser scanner survey. The identification of the horizontal planes is the first indispensable step to produce an as-built BIM model. Our algorithm, developed in C++, is based on plane extraction by means of the RANSAC algorithm followed by the minimization of the quadrate sum of points-plane distance. Moreover, this paper will take an in-depth look at the influence of data resolution in the accuracy of plane extraction and at the necessary accuracy for the construction of a BIM model. A laser scanner survey of a three floors building composed by 36 scan stations has produced a point cloud of about 550 million points. The estimated plane parameters at different data resolution are analysed in terms of distance from the full points cloud resolution

From the laser scanning data to as- built BIM model

Ovim radom predstavlja se novi pristup koji je na velika vrata ušao u AEC (Architectural, Engineering and Construction) sektor. Building information modeling (BIM), kao način upravljanja cijelim procesom životnog ciklusa građevine od razvoja preko građenja do uporabe, renovacije ili prenamjene, omogućio je novi pogled na oblikovanje ažurnije 3D projektne dokumentacije. BIM postaje ne samo želja pojedinih investitora i izazov pojedinim dizajnerima već standard koji će u narednih nekoliko godina biti temelj prostornog planiranja u okviru održivog razvoja. Mnogi stručnjaci AEC industrije tvrde da se događa prijelaz sličan onome prije 30-ak godina kada se prelazilo s papira u CAD (Computer-aided Design) samo što se sad prelazi na inteligentne BIM modele. Postavlja se pitanje koja je uloga geodeta i geoinformatičara u ovoj evoluciji tržišta, odnosno promjeni paradigme upravljanja prostornim podacima te ima li za nas mjesta u ovom novom pogledu na prostornu infrastrukturu. Naravno da ima, ali o nama samima ovisi koliko ćemo se prilagoditi toj promjeni i iskoristiti naša prostorna znanja i vještine. Naime, nove tehnologije, među kojima i lasersko skeniranje, dobivaju sve veći značaj u ovom segmentu, a upravo time i naša struka sve važniju ulogu i vrijednost. Čovjekova svijest o zaštiti ekosustava i kulturne baštine sve više potiče korištenje postojećih objekata, tj. njihovu prenamjenu. Jasno da je za oblikovanje modela buduće željene uporabe prije svega potrebno napraviti modele postojećeg stanja te imati ključne, primjereno kvalitetne i cjelovite prostorne podatke koje je potrebno prikupiti što točnije, efikasnije i jeftinije. Kao dio ovog rada prikazana je i uporaba dobivenog BIM modela postojećeg stanja obiteljske kuće za analizu energetske učinkovitosti.This paper presents a new approach which has the largest entry in the AEC (Architectural, Engineering and Construction) sector. Building Information Modeling (BIM) as a way of managing the entire life cycle process of a building, from development through construction to use, renovation or reuse with a completely new view on creation of 3D documentation. BIM is not only the desire of individual investors and a challenge for individual designers, but a standard which in the next few years will be the basis for spatial planning in the framework of sustainable development. Many specialists claim that in AEC industry the transition similar to the one from 30 years ago, when a transfer from paper to CAD occurred is happening again, but now from CAD to BIM intelligent models. The question is: what is the role of surveyors and geoinformation experts in this evolution of the market and the change of paradigm for spatial data management, and, also, whether there is a place for surveyors in this new spatial infrastructure paradigm shift. Of course there is, but it is up to us to adapt to this change and take advantage of our spatial skills and knowledge. Specifically, new technologies, including laser scanning, are gaining an increasing importance in this segment, and with it, consequently, our professions role and value is also rising. Human consciousness about protecting ecosystems and cultural heritage is increasingly encouraging the use of existing facilities, i.e. their reuse, but with the preservation of their cultural and historical features. It is clear that for creation of models for future use, models of current conditions need to be made, prerequisite of which is collection of essential and comprehensive spatial data of appropriate quality as accurately, efficiently and less costly as possible. As part of this paper an example of as built BIM model for energy efficiency analysis was made

Validation of point clouds segmentation algorithms through their application to several case studies for indoor building modelling

International audienceLaser scanners are widely used for the modelling of existing buildings and particularly in the creation process of as-built BIM (Building Information Modelling). However, the generation of as-built BIM from point clouds involves mainly manual steps and it is consequently time consuming and error-prone. Along the path to automation, a three steps segmentation approach has been developed. This approach is composed of two phases: a segmentation into sub-spaces namely floors and rooms and a plane segmentation combined with the identification of building elements. In order to assess and validate the developed approach, different case studies are considered. Indeed, it is essential to apply algorithms to several datasets and not to develop algorithms with a unique dataset which could influence the development with its particularities. Indoor point clouds of different types of buildings will be used as input for the developed algorithms, going from an individual house of almost one hundred square meters to larger buildings of several thousand square meters. Datasets provide various space configurations and present numerous different occluding objects as for example desks, computer equipments, home furnishings and even wine barrels. For each dataset, the results will be illustrated. The analysis of the results will provide an insight into the transferability of the developed approach for the indoor modelling of several types of buildings

Synergising BIM and Real-Time Data for Improved Efficiency: An Irish Case Study

The evolution of 3D visualisation and the Internet of Things (IoT) presents a substantial opportunity for integrating real-time data with Building Information Models (BIM) to improve its functionality and construction workflow efficiency. Integrating real-time data with BIM can enhance the digital representation of construction buildings’ physical and functional characteristics and provide recordable status of on-site operations. Nevertheless, the integration between Visualisation and IoT technologies with BIM remains in its preliminary stages and faces a myriad of technical and operational challenges. Furthermore, developing advanced solutions to facilitate this complex integration requires a considerable understanding of the viability and feasibility of merging BIM and real-time data sources. This paper presents the early development of a nationally-funded Irish case study deploying a combined camera and tracking solutions that enable the integration of BIM and real-time data through passive data capture. It aims to explore the potential benefits, challenges, and perspectives of integrating the disruptive A-EYE solution for real-time data BIM in Irish construction projects. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the BIM specialists of an Irish construction company to investigate the data-related challenges to As-built BIM updating. The qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis to explore their predispositions, expectations, demands, and motivations for utilising real-time data in updating BIM. The research results demonstrated a favourable perspective regarding integrating real-time data sources with BIM, enhancing the efficiency and quality of the As�built BIM development process

Integration of as-built building information modeling and augmented reality in construction industry : a case study of the (UTM) ECO-HOME

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is becoming increasingly popular in architectural documentation processes in which various stakeholders share data through consistent digital models, keeping workflow up to date to maximize reliability and quality throughout the construction cycle. Most of the constructed buildings might not be built as-designed exactly and 2D drawings are not functional to aid facility managers, viral reliance is on the traditional method to develop as-built drawings leads to greater need of developing accurate and functional 3D as-built BIM through smart workflow. 3D laser scanners are rarely used in construction industry and rarely integrated and practiced with BIM. Moreover, due to less efforts exploring the integration of the digital virtual BIM on site activities, it is predicted that Augmented Reality (AR) can fulfill this vision effectively through visualizing BIM right into the reality. However, some research studies developed workflows using 3D laser scanner to come up with 3D model, as well as workflows to adopt the 3D model into AR platforms separately. Therefore, the aim of this research is to integrate “Scan-BIM” workflow with “BIM-AR” workflow developing newly single integrated workflow. This qualitative case study investigates the current practice of as-built data development based on interviews and practice a modem method of 3D as-built BIM development through an experiment. In this study the integration between SCENE, Revit and Unity3D softwares supported with some extension softwares unveiled the possibility of integrating laser scanning, as-built BIM and AR. This research resulted in an efficient solution in developing “Scan-As-Built BIM-AR” integrated workflow that Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operation (AECO) industries’ practitioners can use to consolidate, optimize and visualize their models in a real-time AR environment