WHAT IS AN ENGINEERING SURVEY?

An engineering survey definition refers to any type of engineering that requires constructing infrastructure within the environment, including tunnels, bridges, and pipelines. As engineering has such a direct (and frequently significant) impact on the environment, surveys are critical and important. Surveys ensure that the environment is not compromised, that it’s safe and secure, and the project is completed in a set time frame. Surveying is also used to discover the three-dimensional relationships between various sites. Engineers require information such as distances, angles between points and lines to determine how to create a plan for public buildings, homes, roads, bridges, and other types of construction and infrastructure projects.

HOW LASER SCANNING WORKS IN ENGINEERING?

One of the most challenging aspects a business will encounter when executing an engineering project is the extensive quantity of land and/or area that needs surveying. Surveys for engineering, infrastructure projects and layouts can take a considerable amount of time to complete as they often cover spacious territories, so the project can be significantly delayed. Engineers are required to use the most current surveying technologies which guarantee’s their infrastructure projects are completed within the timeframe. This is when laser scanning in engineering is both necessary and valuable. Laser scanning technology in engineering can accurately scan enormous regions in a brief amount of time.

When the parties involved in the project are from various areas and/or regions that require long drives or maybe even flights, this technique will reduce expenses with transportation and will also save the inconvenience of travelling to the respected area. Laser scanning in engineering can store information inside a cloud which can be transferred to the workers constructing the project, allowing them access to the data, which enables them to correct any wrongdoings and modifications.

How does laser scanning work? Light waves are transmitted by laser scanning devices, which bounce off surfaces and reflect back to the sensor. The sensor then uses the time for the light beam to complete its route to determine how far away the surface is. The calculated coordinate for the tiny section of the surface is then struck by the laser beam that’s based on the measured distance. This occurs in a matter of seconds, and a laser scanner may collect millions of 3D coordinates in a single scan. When laser scan point clouds finish, a digital representation of the scanned surfaces is then created, displaying the dimensions and spatial relationships of the topographic structures. This is how laser scanning is used in engineering.

BENEFITS OF LASER SCANNING IN ENGINEERING

What are the uses and benefits of laser scanning in engineering surveying? Here are just a few:

3D Laser Scanning Can Cover and Survey Huge Areas Quickly

Engineers would place a series of scanners around the area which needs surveying to perform 3D laser scanning for the engineering production. Millions of points would then be collected by the scanners, that would bounce off the landscape or points of interest before returning to the scanner. The scanner would then measure the laser beam's flight path it returned and map the coordinates of the surface. It will then bounce off depending on the path. The scanners can produce a data point cloud by combining information from thousands of individual laser points, which can then be utilised to create an extremely detailed 3D model of the area being inspected.

Manual Labor is Reduced

Manual labor can be time-consuming and prone to errors. Laser scanning can assist in reducing this while also providing accurate results. Scanning also eliminates the need for other project participants (such as architects, land surveyors, and others) who visit the site numerous times to validate blueprints.

Health and Safety Risks Can Be Reduced with Laser Scanning

Engineers and their teams can collect data from hazardous or unstable areas without placing themselves in any danger by using laser scanners. Surveyors can remain free from risks while the scanner completes its task. That’s an engineering survey's importance.

Inaccessible Areas Can be Surveyed Using 3D Scanning Systems

Before the invention of 3D laser scanning, some locations were not even accessible. Engineers and their teams now have a method that can capture point cloud data from even the most remote regions with vehicle-mounted LiDAR equipment. Laser scanning can examine sensitive objects or places including historic sites, because it’s a non-contact surveying method.

The Client Can Have a Perspective as the Project Progresses

The data gathered through the 3D laser scanning technology in engineering can be compared to the drawings for quality assurance as the project progresses. If the engineer uses laser scanning during the whole construction process, data for important stages in the development will be recorded.

This is useful for clients during the entire process, as well as when the construction has been completed. Clients can immediately refer to these records of laser scanning to view where all the elements are positioned and when they were installed. It’s crucial the client is aware of the progress so they can offer any insights during the construction to avoid making any late changes once it’s almost complete.

Maintenance is Easy with Laser Scanning

3D laser scanning for engineering, in addition to its obvious functionality for new infrastructure projects, can also be very effective for companies performing maintenance on existing buildings and/or landscapes. Businesses must be cautious because infrastructures age and are not as stable as they were previously and can begin to deteriorate. To support the dated infrastructure, they need to be cautious that it will remain relevant for years to come. Firstly, you’ll need to determine what the problems of these infrastructures are before proceeding with the project. This can be time consuming especially if the area is larger, so you may spend far more time trying to identify problems rather than resolving them.

You may eliminate the requirement for manual documentation and quicken the infrastructure maintenance process with 3D laser scanning. Simply perform a laser scan of an infrastructure project, then construct a 3D model of it to determine the maintenance work which is required.