Applicability of flash laser distance and ranging to three-dimensional spatial information acquisition and modeling on a construction site

In recent decades, the need for effective automation of data acquisition and three-dimensional (3D) modeling in the construction industry has been increasing. Most of the 3D modeling methods developed thus far are generally inadequate for construction automation on account of the long processing times involved and the high cost of the devices used for that purpose;; moreover, they tend to include a significant level of manual operation. Flash laser distance and ranging (LADAR), which has been developed recently, entails illumination of an entire scene with diffuse laser light. This characteristic enables it to rapidly model actual construction sites in a comparatively fast and cost-effective manner. In this study, flash LADAR technology was tested for its ability to handle the dynamic nature of a construction site in an effective way. Indoor experiments were carried out to characterize the performance of the flash LADAR system, and outdoor experiments were performed on actual construction sites to demonstrate the applicability of the system to 3D modeling of such environments. The results indicate that 3D modeling via flash LADAR has the potential of being quite beneficial for construction automation.