Laser Scanning Basics for Concrete Tolerance Verification

• Published in: Concrete International Vol. 45; no. 9; pp. 23 - 29
• Main Authors: Zhang, Lingfeng (Leo), Russo, John M
• Format: Trade Publication Article
• Language: English
• Published: Farmington Hills American Concrete Institute 01.09.2023
• Subjects: Accuracy; Applications programs; Concrete; Concrete industry; Construction; Construction industry; Data acquisition; Datasets; Laser applications; Lasers; Lidar; Scanners; Software; Tolerances; Verification; United States > US
• ISSN: 0162-4075; 1944-7388

Laser scanning, also known as LiDAR, has become increasingly popular in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry due to advancements in technology. These advancements have led to the development of more compact and cost-effective instruments, as well as specialized software applications, enabling more precise data acquisition and analysis. The concrete industry has also benefited from LiDAR applications, such as evaluating staging and safety during the planning phase, verifying reinforcement size and location, and improving flatwork finishing operations. However, the lack of standardized laser scan specification sheets has limited users' confidence in verifying concrete tolerances. To address this issue, the US Institute of Building Documentation (USIBD) developed standardized spec sheets for popular laser scanner instruments. In a live scanner shoot-out event, multiple scanners were compared, and the results were published in a comprehensive report. The study found that different scanners had varying levels of accuracy and speed, and users should consider factors such as range, resolution, and scan speed when selecting a laser scanner for concrete tolerance verification. The USIBD and other organizations are working on providing users with more information and resources to better understand and utilize laser scanning technology in the concrete industry.