A detailed reality capture dataset serves as a common language, bridging gaps in perception and understanding among diverse project teams.
By Bryan Williams, Trimble
An AGC of America Capstone Supporter
In today’s environment of rising costs and shrinking margins, efficiently managing and coordinating critical activities and data within complex construction projects is a major challenge. The adoption of automated tools and digital workflows to create a precise 3D representation of the project can help. This shared visual and data-driven narrative is essential in aligning everyone’s efforts toward a common goal, thereby enhancing collective efficiency and reducing conflicts and rework. With scan data in the cloud, non-technical stakeholders can view the real world and the design model together to make more informed decisions and foster trust, while crucial information is transferred between the office and the field to guide and validate the work.
Obstacles to Reality Capture
Until a few years ago, capturing comprehensive reality data in the field was time-consuming and required specialized knowledge of the hardware. In the office, technical expertise, complex desktop software and high-performance computing hardware were required to work with the large point clouds. With access limited to only a few specialists, scan and imaging data was not easily shared among key stakeholders. Instead, plans were often distributed via email with 2D screen shots and limited supporting detail, creating data silos and increasing the risk of decisions being made based on incorrect information. This outdated approach devalued the reality capture information that was collected, as it could not be fully leveraged to support day-to-day construction activities.
Bringing Data to the Table
Reality capture is focused on documenting real world conditions using terrestrial laser scanners, mobile mapping systems, drones/UAVs or even mobile phones with LiDAR functionality. Making that data easily accessible to all stakeholders, including engineers, schedulers and third-party contractors, promotes collaboration before, during and after construction. Visualization capabilities in near real time help track progress and support timely decision making. Reality capture provides a complete picture to answer current questions and address subsequent issues that may arise.
AI tools in the reality capture software are also creating new opportunities to add value to the dataset by creating meaningful information for analysis based on automated classification and feature extraction. For example, AI can identify and extract the same feature (e.g., curb, gutter, pipe, beam) across a dataset, reducing tedious and repetitive work when analyzing larger datasets. Al algorithms can also extract just the floor from a scan of an area where concrete has been poured and compare the as-built to the model to verify height, slope, etc. High and low areas are flagged, and field software shows where changes are needed to make the concrete level. This capability is increasingly valuable for buildings with stringent horizontal specifications, such as data centers, warehouses using robotic equipment and hospitals with MRI machines.
Software like Trimble Business Center (TBC) or Trimble Realworks is used for analysis and results can be shared with others in the cloud. The ability to access comprehensive data allows questions to be answered without revisiting the site, such as “Is that pipe in the right place? Is this stairwell built to the correct specs?”, while field processing helps compare as-built to design and identify discrepancies early in the construction process.
Customer Example
An engineering and surveying company in Melbourne, Australia is embracing the use of reality capture data on a multi-year infrastructure project. The Eastern Freeway is undergoing a massive upgrade including new express lanes, new traffic management technology and Melbourne’s first dedicated busway. New and upgraded walking and cycling paths, bridges and underpasses, revitalized wetlands and waterways, and 1.8 million trees and plants are planned as part of the improvements.
The firm strives to leverage new technologies and digital engineering to maximize construction safety and efficiency on complex projects like the Eastern Freeway. Known for collaborative contracting, the firm is using reality capture data in the cloud to support design, construction and communication with stakeholders and the general public.
The Trimble Reality Capture platform service is instrumental in managing the large volume of data being generated. The cloud-based workflow ensures that up-to-date information is available to all stakeholders, which allows for early detection of planning and construction errors and helps meet stringent timelines. On this project, five people are responsible for uploading data/scans to the cloud while over 100 people view and consume the data. This 1:20 ratio of people uploading versus leveraging data reflects the value of reality capture data for enabling collaboration.
Fostering Trust in the Construction Process
In construction, trust is a cornerstone for successful collaboration and project execution. The absence of trust leads to myriad issues—from delays and cost overruns to compromised safety and quality. Advanced technology leverages the cloud to democratize access to reality capture data, including large datasets generated by terrestrial laser scanners. The large datasets are overwhelming to manage in their entirety so creating custom views for different stakeholders improves the user experience and allows each to access the parts relevant to them.
Capturing data in the real world, from pre-design to build for new or retrofit or restoration projects supports better communication. The information shared in the cloud provides a view of what is happening every step of the way and verifies progress over time. The data is synchronized between field and office to avoid misunderstandings and quickly resolve issues.
Verifying that everything will fit when creating the design and periodically checking as-builts of critical parts of a structure, such as an elevator shaft or stairwell, against the design greatly reduces the potential for errors and rework. Use of a scanner reduces exposure to risky locations and collects data more quickly and accurately than with a tape measure.
Single Source
These tools not only offer a precise representation of the construction progress but also serve as a shared visual and data-driven narrative. A single source of truth aligns everyone’s efforts towards a common goal, thereby enhancing collective efficiency.
Data management is optimized with end-to-end digital workflows based on reality capture solutions. Appropriate tools are used for each type of task with all data integrated and accessible in the cloud. Connected field software improves accuracy for a variety of construction activities, such as digital survey workflows and layout, while design verification is expedited by viewing the model and as-built scan data together in the field. Machinery equipped with digital guidance tools imports exact measurements from the model to streamline earthworks and surface finishing operations. Interoperable reality capture solutions can support every phase of a construction project.
To help meet the increasing need for data management tools in infrastructure construction, Trimble Reality Capture platform service is offered as an extension to Trimble Connect, a cloud-based common data environment and collaboration platform. Without requiring specialized geospatial software and point cloud expertise, the platform service makes very large reality capture datasets securely accessible to all project stakeholders. Designed for seamless access, this service visualizes reality capture data across a range of formats, enabling efficient inspection and analysis while preserving full data integrity.
A New Paradigm
The construction industry is characterized by complex networks of contractors, subcontractors, and stakeholders, all performing work that impacts millions of people. By empowering all stakeholders with tools that provide an accurate, real-time representation of the construction site, we can bridge communication gaps, align perspectives, and build a shared vision while improving efficiency and reducing risk.
It is time to embrace a new paradigm in construction—one where trust and confidence is built through transparency and collaboration, facilitated by the intelligent use of digital technology in the field and office. With the right tools, data, and mindset, we can redefine the future of construction.
Bryan Williams is portfolio manager at Trimble Buildings. Williams has nearly 30 years of international experience working in the construction industry as a site engineer, construction surveyor, project supervisor and consultant. He has spent the last 15 years developing and marketing intelligent positioning solutions for the construction industry. For more information, visit https://www.trimble.com/en/industries/construction.