FARO Case study by Tilden-Coil
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1) Tilden-Coil Constructors, a construction company in Southern California, adopted 3D laser scanning technologies like the FARO Focus3D X130 scanner to help solve problems, identify issues early, and save costs on their projects. 2) Scanning existing conditions and overlaying the point clouds on 3D models allows Tilden-Coil to find and resolve conflicts before they cause delays or become more expensive to fix. On one project, scanning identified that concrete slabs were poured too high, avoiding blaming the wrong subcontractors. 3) Scanning reinforced concrete walls and floors before pouring allows Tilden-Coil to coordinate openings for pipes and conduits to avoid
FARO Case study by Tilden-Coil
- 1. 1 of 3 Delivering Returns on 3D Investment Series Gene V. Roe, Ph.D., P.E., PLS | Founder/Author | Lidar News | 603-818-2189 | Gene.roe@lidarnews.com Background The construction industry has been traditionally slow to adopt new technologies. There are a number of reasons, such as investment cost, lack of experience and familiarity with conventional survey tools, as to why the digital revolution failed to influence the construction industry as profoundly as other industries in the past but finally technology may be making a breakthrough. With the use of digital 3D models to virtually construct a building and recognize any conflicts in its design, the construction industry is producing results that many other industries have been experiencing for the past 30 years. At the forefront of the 3D revolution lies laser scanning technology. This technology utilizes point clouds to document the existing conditions, coordinate the trades, monitor progress, determine quantities, and identify in real time where the project fails to conform to the 3D design model and intent. When errors are identified early on, the cost of repairs can be minimized or eliminated. Experience Based in the heart of Southern California, Tilden-Coil Constructors must compete with both small and large companies in some of the most challenging commercial, industrial, and institutional construction markets. In order to continue to provide the best value to its clients, and continue to be a leader in the industry, Tilden-Coil has adopted new technologies such as 3D laser scanning. Tilden-Coil has been using 3D models since the introduction of Building Information Modeling (BIM) into their building process in 2009. Their experience with laser scanning began in 2011, when one of their mechanical engineering consultants acquired a FARO Focus3D S 120 Laser Scanner. At the time, the scanner was a breakthrough in price/performance, and after working with and testing out the unit, Tilden-Coil decided to acquire their own FARO Focus3D X 130 in 2014. Jarrod Baumann, BIM Manager for Tilden-Coil Constructors, along with his team, is heavily involved with the use of 3D laser scanning at Tilden-Coil. Jarrod, who began working with 3D some 20 years ago, likes the Focus3D X 130 because Figure 1. Photo realistic 360 degree panoramic view as captured by the laser scanner of an existing site prior to demolition for new construction. Figure 2. 3D Point Cloud model of the existing site after registration, or stitching together, of the individual laser scans. CASE STUDY
- 2. 2 of 3 Delivering Returns on 3D Investment Series of its ability to be used inside a building as well as on-site. Jarrod noted, “Laser scanning is helping us solve problems and save money. By scanning and documenting the existing conditions (figures 1 and 2), we can identify early conflicts and get them resolved before they become major costs or delays.” Workflows In the field, the Focus3D X 130 has been proving itself to be highly productive due in part to its lightweight and versatile range. “As long as we have sufficient overlap between scans, the cloud-to-cloud registration has been providing us with excellent results without the need for targets; unless we have to do more in-depth analysis,” Jarrod explained. In the office, the team uses FARO SCENE software for post processing and registration. To interface with the 3D design models, Tilden-Coil relies on PointSense for Autodesk® Revit® , a software product that was part of FARO’s acquisition of kubit last year. For integration with other Autodesk platforms, Tilden-Coil uses Autodesk® ReCap™ . Jarrod noted, “This workflow has proven itself to be very efficient and reliable many times on a number of projects.” Project Experience One project that the scanner proved its worth was on a school construction project where Tilden-Coil was challenged with the mezzanine guard railings not meeting code height requirements. The non-compliance issue resulted from one of three trades: structural steel, concrete, or railings; and it was unclear as to which trade was truly at fault. After overlaying 3D sections of the point cloud over the project model, the laser-scanning team found that the structural steel and the railings were right on the money (figure 3). “After studying the scans, the problem jumped out at us. The concrete slabs were poured from ½ inch to ¾ inch too high at the edges in the area under the railings,” Jarrod recalls. Jarrod notes, “The scan data allowed us to resolve the issue quicker and more accurately along with keeping the trades who were not at fault from paying for the fix.” The team recalls another project where they needed a quick perimeter of a site, requiring about 20 scans, spaced about 60 feet to 70 feet apart, to traverse around the site which included about a 25 foot to 30 foot change in elevation. Jarrod explained that they “brought the data into Civil 3D and locked in on some hard objects. We had about 3 ⁄8 inch difference in elevation from start to finish.” One of the more challenging projects involved a large auditorium built in the 1930’s. The team performed 215 scans from the 4 foot crawl space to the attic and everything in between (figure 4). Over the course of three days, they completed the onsite scanning with just one FARO Focus3D X 130. The as-built architectural and structural 3D models were produced using PointSense and Revit in only 50% of the time expected to complete this task. “We had a surveyor locate a number of targets for us, but we decided to use targetless registration to see what we would get and it was fine,” Jarrod recalls. Figure 3. Section views of the as-built point cloud data (green) showing the installed handrail, overlaid to the coordinated 3D Building Information Model of structural steel and concrete. Figure 4. The convenient size of the FARO Focus X130 allows for scanning in all environments including ceiling and attic spaces.
- 3. 3 of 3 View more of FARO’s case studies at www.faro.com Delivering Returns on 3D Investment Series © 2016 FARO Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This case study is for informational purposes only. FARO makes no warranties–express or implied–in this case study. FARO, THE MEASURE OF SUCCESS and the FARO Logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of FARO Technologies, Inc. Return on Investment The following represent examples of the value created through the use of 3D laser scanning and modeling by the Tilden-Coil team. Example # 1 A current project under construction consists of numerous concrete shear walls having dense reinforcement steel layouts within them. These walls have MEP utilities running through them to service the building. Each pipe, conduit, or duct must have an opening in an approved location that does not conflict with the reinforcement. These openings are all coordinated in the 3D model ahead of construction, but as all experienced builders know, things change quickly and often in construction. Unforeseen circumstances, construction tolerances, or any number of issues can result in openings through the concrete shear walls being moved or missed entirely. This is where the FARO Laser Scanner comes into play. Tilden-Coil scanned the final layout of the reinforcement prior to pouring concrete (figure 5) and scanned the wall after the forms were removed. Having these accurate as-built conditions prevents costly changes down the road. MEP trades are able to adjust their fabrication model and shop drawings to the as-built locations of the openings, preventing costly changes in the field. If a new core through the concrete wall is required for pipe or conduit, a location can be identified where reinforcement steel will not be hit, eliminating the need for costly x-ray services to find the reinforcement. A Tilden-Coil field superintendent noted, “Each time we have to correct an opening in the field where we don’t have scan data it is a minimum of $3,000 and quite often 2 or 3 times that much, not to mention the schedule delay. To date, we have proactively responded with a fix to more than two dozen shear wall openings using the scan data.” Example # 2 Tilden-Coil used a similar method for scanning the floor reinforcement on a 700 seat performing arts floor deck. Most seat locations would receive a 6-inch diameter core after concrete was poured and set enabling supply air to enter the auditorium from the HVAC plenum below. Reinforcement steel had to be moved out of the 550 core locations prior to pouring concrete. Laser scan data overlaid to the seating layout in our 3D model allowed Tilden-Coil to plan for this and only 4 core locations out of 550 had a conflict with reinforcement (figure 6). Verifying these measurements ensured that the concrete work would be coordinated and accurately poured saving any necessary rework. Example # 3 A long-time private school client needed an as-built set of plans for five buildings showing window and door sizes on all exterior walls. These are historic buildings with no as-built drawings. It was estimated this would take 3 weeks to produce if the architectural consultant took the field measurements and produced the elevation drawings. Tilden-Coil was able to produce these drawings in just 2.5 days: scanning in the field for one day and producing accurate elevation drawings including window and door schedules in Revit in just one and a half days. Final Thoughts The value and benefits of 3D laser scanning and modeling have been clearly demonstrated by the Tilden-Coil team. We may never be able to build the ideal design model; however, with 3D laser scanning we can come pretty close. Figure 5. Capturing scan data of structural elements that will be later concealed in concrete has proven invaluable when coordinating additional openings or sleeves at a later stage of construction. Figure 6. Point cloud data overlaid to seating layout shop drawings, allowing for a thorough coordination review prior to pouring of concrete.