Every once in a while, a technology comes along that makes a huge impact on an industry. LiDAR in the commercial construction industry is one of them. While LiDAR has been used for decades in various capacities, it has only been in this century that it has really been used for commercial applications. Before that, it was basically only used by the military and NASA. As of 2020, you can even find basic LiDAR technology in your iPhone!
The uses for LiDAR are varied, but laser scanning for commercial buildings is highly beneficial to the commercial construction industry. Here why:
Creating As-Built Drawings Using LiDAR
In the past, if an as-built drawing of a commercial building needed to be completed, it would require someone to come in and take manual measurements of each and every space within the building. Those measurements would then be put into a computer aided drafting (CAD) program to create floorplans, 3D models, or whatever else was needed. This is a time-consuming process that is highly subject to human error at each step along the way.
Now, using LiDAR technology, we can go into a building and scan it, and then take the scan data and convert it into a digital file. This “digital twin” becomes a great starting point for creating highly accurate and detailed floor plans, elevations, and 3D models.
Having accurate as-built drawings is crucial for commercial building owners looking to remodel or expand their spaces. In older buildings, the original construction drawings could be vastly out of date if the building was modified over the years. As-built drawings can show architects, engineers, contractors, and others the current state of a building so they have an accurate starting point from which to modify a structure.
LiDAR + Drones = An Affordable Scanning Solution
LiDAR and drones are a match made in heaven for scanning professionals! When a drone is equipped with LiDAR, a huge area can be accurately scanned in no time.
Previously, aerial laser scanning was completed by small planes that would fly over a construction site or building. This was obviously an expensive undertaking. The accessibility and relative affordability of drones has significantly cut the cost of laser scanning, making it a real option for quickly surveying expansive construction sites or monitoring the progress of large commercial builds.
A LiDAR drone can map out terrain, infrastructure, and the building itself. When used to monitor a building’s construction, updates can easily be sent to building owners, project managers, and other interested parties in real time!
To learn more about other ways we use LiDAR at Enhanced Scanning, visit our LiDAR Service Page, or contact us to have your questions answered or to schedule service.