Applications of laser scanning to structures in laboratory tests and field surveys

Abstract

The capabilities and advantages of laser scanners used for structural engineering applications to assess structural damage in laboratory tests and post-earthquake field survey are discussed. High definition laser scans have many advantages over conventional instrumentation in laboratory setting: (i) capture three dimensional global deformations of large objects with accuracy; (ii) enable graphical post-processing based on a location of the acquired points in space and utilizing the light intensity red-green-blue (RGB) values of scanned images; (iii) access to objects without spatial constraint and remote monitoring by scanning from a distance; and (iv) reduce workload for installing instruments. Therefore, high definition laser scans have been successfully used in laboratory tests, and several case studies are presented to demonstrate the accuracy of laser scanner measurements. In addition, this paper makes the first attempt to demonstrate the use of high-definition laser scanning technology in field surveys of structures damaged during January 2010 Haiti earthquake. Damage assessments were performed for several structures using the scans, and the results were compared with qualitative results of visual ground survey. The techniques of gathering and disseminating critical information employed herein is expected to have major impact on future structural laboratory tests and field investigations.

Use of TLS (LiDAR) for Building Diagnostics with the Example of a Historic Building in Karlino

“…Several studies have applied TLS scanning in material diagnostics [25][26][27][28]. TLS scanning is also used for analysing deflections in construction [29][30][31][32].…”

“…In the case described in this paper, the TLS technology was used to obtain the geometric data [29][30][31]34,35], which allowed to conduct a detailed and effective diagnostics of the analysed building. It was part of diagnostic methods chosen for execution of Expert Opinion for an analysed building.…”

Surface damage quantification of postearthquake building based on terrestrial laser scan data

“…6,7 There is a need for rapid and technology-based condition assessment techniques. [8][9][10] Based on laser beam reflection, Light Detection and Ranging ( LiDAR ) captures remotely three-dimensional (3D) coordinate information (point cloud data) of a structure and has the potential for structure condition monitoring: Cabaleiro et al 11 used LiDAR data to analyze the deformations and stresses of a steel beam; Liu and Chen 12 developed LiDAR based bridge condition evaluation; Jaafar et al 13 applied LiDAR to monitor historic and heritage buildings and developed a new approach to detect and locate unforeseen damages; Mosalam et al 14 used LiDAR for postearthquake building structure assessment, and three case studies are provided. This study focuses on the application of LiDAR technology with few data collection and processing advances reported.…”

Documentation of Bridges by Terrestrial Laser Scanner

“…The total scaling depth was then calculated based on the distance from point clouds in scaling areas to the surface. Mosalam, et al [16] also used TLS to acquire detailed information for damage assessment of a bridge located near Leogane, Haiti. The bridge was scanned from the North side of the bridge with fine and coarse sampling steps.…”