Example of point
density. Enlarged
area helps to show
individual points.
team with the next phase of requested information – saving
the County time and money.
Other benefits noted
HD scanning also accurately generates as-built surveys –
that is, surveys done to document how a project’s original
engineering plans compare with the actual end result
after construction – and brings additional advantages
beyond that.
It can literally be a lifesaver in instances in
which project sites present hazardous conditions
to the team.
“I would say half of our scans are due to safety or inability
to access the area of interest – like a hydrodam,” said Ayres
surveyor James Cappeart.
“You can’t climb out on the spillway and run up and
down it.”
Electrical substations present another scenario where
safety can be a concern. Incorporating HD laser scanning
reduces that risk. As Cappeart noted, “the scanner is
the logical choice” to collect data for power industry
clients because it captures the needed information by
shooting a laser in varying directions and doesn’t physically
touch anything.
“Those lasers come back and sort of paint the picture
for us,” Cappeart said. “Everything is measurable so, from
there, you can pull out the measurements you need.”
Again, because no data is missed with HD laser scanning,
third-party engineers and other end users can choose the
single coordinated values and targeted features they’re
looking for. That data can then be used for such things
as asset inventory of facilities, future expansion capacity,
structural conditions and analysis, and as-built collection
for maintenance.
Continued on page 16
14│ TRENDS