Top 5 Scan to BIM Benefits for Surveyors

In the absence of construction documents and drawings, restoration or re-construction of heritage buildings becomes quite challenging.

Scan to BIM converts laser scans of every minute detail in the building in its as-built condition into accurate 3D BIM models. The accurate and detailed information with precise measurements of all building components in the BIM models reduces rework and increases productivity. Restoration can be made without damaging a building’s architectural structure and by maintaining aesthetic value.

Digitized models and documented deliverables offer better project renovation insights. Surveyors can reduce onsite wastage with precise material quantity surveying, resulting in lean buildings. Scan to BIM models streamline supply chain management, minimizing logistic problems.

Before demolishing any part of a building or structure, surveyors or surveying companies need to have a complete understanding about every nook and corner of the building structure. Often the limitation of manual survey methods, makes it difficult to get accurate information about the structural systems of the building. Thus in order to have a safer demolition, the construction team may need to provide extra temporary supports which can increase project budget and project turnaround time.

Scan to BIM provides greater clarity on how a portion of the structure will react when demolished via demolition analysis. Surveyors and surveying companies can utilize point cloud modeling for demolition to visualize what the structure and its adjacent spaces will look like after a part of it has been demolished. They can get detailed spatial layouts and can visualize how building components in a structure will co-exist and function.

The accuracy of measure drawings depends on a surveyor’s site sketches. Blurred videos and images from site with inaccurate or missing information result in erroneous 2D drawings and documents. All this ultimately results in rework, delays and budget overruns.

Scan to BIM allows surveying companies to get a 360 degree view of the entire building or structure. 3D models and drawings offer better asset visualization and mapping of spatial geometry to gain a complete view of the project space. Granular visualization helps surveyors measure all the visible elements in the scan and extract accurate drawings from the 3D model.

The three dimensional view leads to informed decision making and early clash resolution, reducing rework and ensuring that the project is completed within time and budget.

3D BIM models created with scanned data from hard to reach places like behind the ceiling and above roof and lofts, precisely show existing roof frames and other structural elements. Thus the project team can plan construction and renovation with data-based decisions facilitated by BIM model. They can design optimum scaffolding and support for the safety of workers and remaining structure in a shorter time period.

Scan to BIM modeling provides load calculation to gain an estimate of the maximum severity of the load on a structure. These loads can be dead loads, imposed loads, wind loads etc. Precise structural load calculations enhance sustainability and safety of tenants for the entire life cycle of the building.

A building may have undergone various upgrades to accommodate needs of occupants which may not be recorded in 2D drawings. Using outdated or inaccurate 2D drawings for repair or FM purposes may lead to rework and financial loss.

Scan to BIM 3D models provide crucial information required for facility management and an exact understanding of how the various building spaces are being used. Surveying companies can quickly visualize the complex as-built geometry of the building and project site along with power components, machinery, pipe works, etc. which show the framework of a building.

For repairs or upgradation in congested places, Scan to BIM models provide clarity on how to plan new services and select material to fit into a specific space. They can help determine exactly where the repair, upgrade or new element should go and integrate with the current layout.

Surveyors and surveying companies can even integrate COBie with Scan to BIM models to extract non- geometric information such as building component names, warranty details, etc. The model can also be used to help ease maintenance runs, gain analyses for technical upgrades while saving operation costs.