TLS-Based Feature Extraction and 3D Modeling for Arch Structures

Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) technology is one of the most efficient and accurate tools for 3D measurement which can reveal surface-based characteristics of objects with the aid of computer vision and programming. Thus, it plays an increasingly important role in deformation monitoring and analysis. Automatic data extraction and high efficiency and accuracy modeling from scattered point clouds are challenging issues during the TLS data processing. This paper presents a data extraction method considering the partial and statistical distribution of the point clouds scanned, called the window-neighborhood method. Based on the point clouds extracted, 3D modeling of the boundary of an arched structure was carried out. The ideal modeling strategy should be fast, accurate, and less complex regarding its application to large amounts of data. The paper discusses the accuracy of fittings in four cases between whole curve, segmentation, polynomial, and B-spline. A similar number of parameters was set for polynomial and B-spline because the number of unknown parameters is essential for the accuracy of the fittings. The uncertainties of the scanned raw point clouds and the modeling are discussed. This process is considered a prerequisite step for 3D deformation analysis with TLS. © 2017 Xiangyang Xu et al

Development of Bridge Information Model (BrIM) for digital twinning and management using TLS technology

In the current modern era of information and technology, the concept of Building Information Model (BIM), has made revolutionary changes in different aspects of engineering design, construction, and management of infrastructure assets, especially bridges. In the field of bridge engineering, Bridge Information Model (BrIM), as a specific form of BIM, includes digital twining of the physical asset associated with geometrical inspections and non-geometrical data, which has eliminated the use of traditional paper-based documentation and hand-written reports, enabling professionals and managers to operate more efficiently and effectively. However, concerns remain about the quality of the acquired inspection data and utilizing BrIM information for remedial decisions in a reliable Bridge Management System (BMS) which are still reliant on the knowledge and experience of the involved inspectors, or asset manager, and are susceptible to a certain degree of subjectivity. Therefore, this research study aims not only to introduce the valuable benefits of Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) as a precise, rapid, and qualitative inspection method, but also to serve a novel sliced-based approach for bridge geometric Computer-Aided Design (CAD) model extraction using TLS-based point cloud, and to contribute to BrIM development. Moreover, this study presents a comprehensive methodology for incorporating generated BrIM in a redeveloped element-based condition assessment model while integrating a Decision Support System (DSS) to propose an innovative BMS. This methodology was further implemented in a designed software plugin and validated by a real case study on the Werrington Bridge, a cable-stayed bridge in New South Wales, Australia. The finding of this research confirms the reliability of the TLS-derived 3D model in terms of quality of acquired data and accuracy of the proposed novel slice-based method, as well as BrIM implementation, and integration of the proposed BMS into the developed BrIM. Furthermore, the results of this study showed that the proposed integrated model addresses the subjective nature of decision-making by conducting a risk assessment and utilising structured decision-making tools for priority ranking of remedial actions. The findings demonstrated acceptable agreement in utilizing the proposed BMS for priority ranking of structural elements that require more attention, as well as efficient optimisation of remedial actions to preserve bridge health and safety