Integrated approach for facility management of existing buildings using point cloud segmentation

Marzouk, M and Zaher, M (2025) Integrated approach for facility management of existing buildings using point cloud segmentation. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, 43(6), pp. 1439-1465. ISSN 2398-4708

Abstract

Facility management gained profound importance due to the increasing complexity of different systems and the cost of operation and maintenance. However, due to the increasing complexity of different systems, facility managers may suffer from a lack of information. The purpose of this paper is to propose a new facility management approach that links segmented assets to the vital data required for managing facilities. Automatic point cloud segmentation is one of the most crucial processes required for modelling building facilities. In this research, laser scanning is used for point cloud acquisition. The research utilises region growing algorithm, colour-based region-growing algorithm and Euclidean cluster algorithm. A case study is worked out to test the accuracy of the considered point cloud segmentation algorithms utilising metrics precision, recall and F-score. The results indicate that Euclidean cluster extraction and region growing algorithm revealed high accuracy for segmentation. The research presents a comparative approach for selecting the most appropriate segmentation approach required for accurate modelling. As such, the segmented assets can be linked easily with the data required for facility management.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: 3D scanning; facility management; point cloud processing; point cloud segmentation algorithms
Index terms: laser scanning, point cloud, integrated approach, acquisition, accuracy, case study, manager, modelling, operation and maintenance, complexity
Subjects: data collection methods, professional development, analytical methods, business, systems engineering, maintenance engineering, contractual arrangements, practitioner, digital design
Topics: Engineering Principles, Roles and Professions, Digital Applications, Research Practice, Procurement, Information Management, Business Strategy
Descriptive scope: 3 PCE

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