WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A CONSTRUCTION SITE SURVEY?

It’s almost impossible to imagine a world without buildings, as construction contributes to such an important role in our society. Thanks to our ancestors’ inventions, we have the convenience of roads, highways, bridges, and other manmade structures which are all necessary to use in our daily lives. As buildings around the world are being constructed continually, there’s also the physical aspects surrounding each building which must be considered, such as a new highway, space issues, the electrical wiring, and all the required materials. 

For infrastructure and development projects, surveys are important and necessary. Firstly, having a construction site survey contributing towards the project is crucial. Surveys are used to determine the project's feasibility during the planning stage. Following this, when designing, surveys provide the groundwork for accuracy. They also identify any potential challenges, and ensure the plans are being executed correctly. During the construction phase, surveys are used to precisely locate the projects features, and during the post-construction phase, surveys are used to document the complete project.

WHAT IS A CONSTRUCTION SURVEY?

With the numerous buildings and other infrastructures in the city, the construction survey definition is a process that’s used to maintain and create the vertical and horizontal measurements which are required for a forthcoming construction project. This includes collecting measurements which are required to determine quantities, and then documenting these measurements to support the contractor's final compensation. During post construction, the survey is obtained to assess the final placement of the establishment, the adequacy of the work required, and the final wages needed for the “as-built” project. This is also the reason why highways, bridges, buildings, pipes, and other man-made structures are all located and aligned with construction surveys.

How long does a building site survey take, you might ask? This is subject to the individual circumstances, as depending on the size of the property, a building survey usually takes between 4 to 8 hours to accomplish, with the final report requiring 3 to 7 days to conclude. The timing of a building survey will also depend upon the access available. The construction of a new highway or bridge presents more of a challenge, in addition to the construction survey procedures. When created by hand, this is a lengthy and time-consuming task. Again, thanks to our ancestral inventions, there is now the equipment to survey larger constructions. One of the key important construction survey instruments required is the laser scanning.

WHAT IS LASER SCANNING IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY?

Laser scanning is used on infrastructure sites to gather detailed data and provide accurate information for every aspect of an infrastructure. Its data is referred to as "point cloud," which is a database that connects points in a three-dimensional coordinate system. The most important point to retain is they maintain a highly accurate digital record of an object and/or location related to the project.

Laser scanning technology in construction has advanced from its initial application in performing building and construction maintenance. It has also been applied to infrastructure development. When referring to building coordination, it’s an advantage to know specifically where certain outlets/ electrical wirings are placed to avoid system conflicts (HVAC, electrical, plumbing). Data can also be shared across parties if the locations are in different areas. Scanning isn’t only preformed at the beginning of a project, as it’s also beneficial during various stages of the project to document important measurements and notes, eliminate the need for unnecessary orders, and delegate tasks to other trades. In construction, laser scanning can help document where errors were made while also finding a quick solution. It’s vital to building effective surveys.

BENEFITS OF LASER SCANNING IN CONSTRUCTION

High rise building constructions, like many other industries, have experienced many technical improvements in recent years, but few have had the impact of the 3D laser scanning. While the costs of the first laser scanners were considerably high, and the wide range of benefits were still uncertain, several in the business questioned if the technology would deliver its intended purpose. However, newer, and advanced technologies have increased during the years. It has expertise in the best practices and is solidifying its place in today's construction industry, making it one of the most important construction survey equipment.

Here are some reasons why laser scanning is efficient for forthcoming survey layout projects in construction:

Immediately provides information – scans may be performed and retrieved instantly, resulting in effective operations, increased productivity, and less rework.

Improved and accurate results – general contractors and project managers can access precise site conditions with a laser scan, which their trade teams can then use to develop coordinated and accurate building project plans. Field teams can guarantee that all produced components (ductwork, electrical, waste pipe, etc.) are compatible together on their first attempt rather than needing to repeat the exercise using the physical measurements, which reduces time and expenses.

Reduce unnecessary cost – laser scanning in construction is quick and precise, faster than any traditional construction survey mapping methods. Scans can be completed in minutes, which is more rapid than traditional procedures, which can take hours or even weeks to complete. Additionally, the data scans that are collected enable the teams to construct more detailed workflows. Since construction is still a business, any potential savings will advance the project's profitability.

Guarantees work safety – one of many concerns in the construction business is ensuring safety procedures. Laser scanning in the construction industry can avoid any repercussions of working the physical labor when surveying the space. Scanners can measure from a distance up to 500 meters! This ensures the workers are kept a safe distance from the ground.

Provides better collaboration and coordination between members – teams may be working together across states or even across the country in today's era of remote work and social media connectivity. In these instances, on-site visits can be time-consuming and costly. Laser scans can be utilised to build a 3D virtual site overview, allowing the workers access to the smallest site details and complexities wherever they’re located. This can also ensure the team is more synchronised with their ideas and opinions of the forthcoming construction project.

If you’re a contractor or have your own construction business, you can succeed in a competitive market, while saving time and expenses with laser scanning technology.