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Intelligent Execution: Leveraging 3D Scanning Technology for Enhanced Project Delivery in Engineering and Construction


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leveraging 3d scanning technology for enhanced project delivery in engineering and construction tarco image 3

Advanced technologies are reshaping how engineering and construction projects are conceived, designed, and executed. One such transformative technology is mobile 3D scanning.  3D scanning utilizes digital photography and LiDAR (Laser Detection and Ranging) to produce digital, at scale, representations of real-world locations.  These tools can tremendously enhance project delivery.

Precise, high-resolution 3D models of the environments, capturing details with sub-millimeter accuracy can be deployed through terrestrial, airborne, or mobile systems, making it adaptable to various project needs and application. This technology, offered by companies like Trimble and Matterport, provide the energy industry a reliable option to collect detailed and accurate measurements rendered in a digital environment. The captured data provides a spatial representation which is then processed by software, creating actionable models that can be used for design, as-built drawings, digital twins, and virtual walkthroughs. Tarco imports 3D LiDAR point clouds into our CAD software to produce models that are accurate to site conditions down to 1/2mm.

Tarco has found many benefits to incorporating 3D scanning in our projects to improve the engineering process, as well as enable our implementation teams with next level information. These solutions naturally complement our Intelligent Execution engineering methodology, which optimizes engineering processes and project delivery.

Enhanced Design Accuracy

One of the most significant advantages of 3D scans is the ability to capture as-built conditions precisely. This is especially critical in retrofit projects where facilities have evolved over time and As-Built drawings have not stayed current.  3D scans ensure that design teams have accurate baseline data and minimize the risk of discrepancies between plans and the actual conditions at site. LiDAR-generated models shared across teams serve as a single source of truth for all project stakeholders, fostering collaboration and reducing misunderstandings. With significant costs associated with site work and delays, this can reduce costly design errors and rework.

Improved Project Efficiency

3D scanning expedites the data collection process, capturing millions of measurement points more quickly than traditional data collection approaches. With exact measurements, companies can order precise amounts of material, reducing construction material waste, and leverage off-site prefabrication, minimizing errors and rework.  On-site and last-minute procurement and fabrication can have huge negative cost impacts, not just from the additional materials, but the consequential delays. For example, accurate pre-fabrication of piping offsite minimizes field welds and pipefitting. The cost of a single field weld including the associated non-destructive testing can exceed the cost of an entire facility scan.

Additionally, accurate data, early in the project lifecycle, allows for accelerated design, fewer clarifications, faster approvals and construction planning.  All of which contribute to speed, accurate delivery and better project financial performance.

leveraging 3d scanning technology for enhanced project delivery in engineering and construction tarco image 2

Risk Mitigation

Importantly, 3D scanning reduces significant site risks associated with changes and rework.  In hazardous environments and remote facilities for instance, scans can reduce potential vulnerabilities before site work begins, reduce travel requirements to site and minimize personnel exposure to dangerous conditions.

Considerations

There are certainly considerations in selection and use of the appropriate 3D scanning technology. Many options exist, often with their own proprietary tool suites and software, and not all may be compatible with engineering CAD software. Some technologies can produce immersive 3D environments for site tours, but may not have accurate dimension and measurement information. File sizes can exceed 100 GB making them difficult to transmit to other stakeholders and store in document management systems.  Overlaying point clouds into existing CAD models can be a new skill for a drafting team.  Regardless of these challenges, 3D scanning has found a foothold in energy projects.

Tarco is committed to optimizing engineering and project delivery though our Intelligent Execution methodology, which includes incorporating new technologies into or work. Engineering companies classically pursue optimization of three goals: 1) Quality, 2) Schedule, 3) Costs, but are often constrained to improvements for 2 of the 3.  With 3D scanning a small initial upfront investment can help advance all three of these project pillars.  The technology represents a significant shift in engineering and construction, offering unparalleled accuracy, efficiency, and insight. Tarco has the expertise to help our customers maximize the benefit of 3D scanning technologies as part of an effective project delivery. By capturing detailed 3D data as part of our engineering process, our teams are empowered to make better decisions and deliver quality projects more quickly and cost effectively.



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