Integrating laser scanning and rapid prototyping to enhance construction modeling

This paper describes an innovative approach to building modeling by integrating three-dimensional (3D) digital laser scanning and rapid prototyping (RP) technology. The process involves capturing a 3D scan of a building exterior and using the RP process to create a 3D physical model. Traditional methods used for feasibility studies, safety analysis, and planning of the building process can be slow, costly, and often impractical. This technique proved to be advantageous in terms of cost, speed, and reduction of human error. The Construction Systems Department at the Peter Kiewit Institute, University of Nebraska, in Omaha, Neb. teamed with Lamp Rynearson and Associates, a consulting engineering firm from Omaha, Neb., to verify that data collected by the laser scanner could be converted to the proper format to create a physical model using RP technology. Results obtained from this project indicate that the technique was less expensive, quicker, and far more accurate than traditional methods.