Thomson, C P H (2016) From point cloud to building information model: capturing and processing survey data towards automation for high quality 3D models to aid a BIM process. PhD thesis, University College London, UK.
Abstract
Building Information Modelling has, more than any previous initiative, established itself as the process by which operational change can occur, driven by a desire to eradicate the inefficiencies in time and value and requiring a change of approach to the whole lifecycle of construction from design through construction to operation and eventual demolition. BIM should provide a common digital platform which allows different stakeholders to supply and retrieve information thereby reducing waste through enhanced decision making. Through the provision of measurement and representative digital geometry for construction and management purposes, surveying is very much a part of BIM. Given that all professions that are involved with construction have to consider the way in which they handle data to fit with the BIM process, it stands to reason that Geomatic or Land Surveyors play a key part. This is further encouraged by the fact that 3D laser scanning has been adopted as the primary measurement technique for geometry capture for BIM. Also it is supported by a laser scanning work stream from the UK Government backed BIM Task Group. Against this backdrop, the research in this thesis investigates the 3D modelling aspects of BIM, from initial geometry capture in the real world, to the generation and storage of the virtual world model, while keeping the workflow and outputs compatible with the BIM process. The focus will be made on a key part of the workflow for capturing as-built conditions: the geometry creation from point clouds. This area is considered a bottleneck in the BIM process for existing assets not helped by their often poor or non-existent documentation. Automated modelling is seen as desirable commercially with the goal of reducing time, and therefore cost, and making laser scanning a more viable proposition for a range of tasks in the lifecycle.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Boehm, J and Ellul, C |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | building information modelling; commercial; decision making; demolition; documentation; geomatic surveying; laser scanning; measurement; stakeholders; land surveying; UK; workflow |
| Index terms: | survey, documentation, point cloud, surveying, land surveyor, workflow, laser scanning, decision-making, stream, 3D model, geometry, platform, building information modelling, modelling, 3D modelling, automation, land surveying, lifecycle, profession |
| Subjects: | analytical methods, computational design, institututions, surveying practice, automation and robotics, digital design, health monitoring assessment and metrics, project delivery, profession, data collection methods, mathematical modelling, decision analysis, information systems, management, water management, professional development |
| Topics: | Roles and Professions, Research Practice, Information Management, Business Strategy, Digital Applications, Sustainability, Risk Management, Project Management, Engineering Principles, Health and Safety |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here