Point Cloud to BIM Case Study — College Mechanical House
How ASTCAD converted 3D-scanned point cloud data of a college mechanical house into a LOD 300 BIM model in just 13 days.
Project overview
- Industry: Architectural engineering and construction
- Location: Australia
- Convert 3D scanned images of college backyard mechanical house into intelligent BIM with LOD 300 with Architecture & Structure & Equipment spacing.
- All the scanned point clouds and images in .rcs format were imported to Revit, and converted into a BIM with LOD 300 with all the Architecture & Structure & Equipment spacing details.
The brief
Scanned data was inconsistent, lot of inputs were missing and some parts had to be recreated solely based on engineering assumptions
Management of massive volumes of scanned data
360 degree image for an over building view was missing in the input files
The process was time consuming and work had to be completed in pressing deadlines – within 14 days
The challenges
- A well known building construction company in UK, approached Hi- Tech to develop a building information model of a backyard mechanical house for a college avenue. Large .rcs files were provided, these included point cloud models and parametric images. Client required BIM with LOD 300 and complete Architecture & Structure & Equipment spacing details.Documentation of ‘As built’ complex structures that have changing spatial requirements is crucial. BIM loaded with spatial information allows efficient management of these spaces. Addressing these requirements not only becomes cost effective, and time effective, but also helps avoid any clashes or damage to the existing structural, architectural and MEP fit outs in the building.
- The work started by dividing teams to work in shifts so that the project gets processed 24×7
- All the files in.rcs format were imported into Revit and divided into sections
- A model file was set up and modeling was done with 10mm accuracy, and LOD 300 as requested by the client
Our solution
- Detailed architectural, structural and equipment spacing information was included
- The missing sections were recreated based on engineering assumptions
- At this stage, communication was set and approvals were taken from the client for the restructured parts for which input data was not available.
- With efficient project management, point cloud data was converted to BIM and delivered in a record time frame of 13 days.
Outcome
- Ever changing spatial requirements in the mechanical house, were addressed efficiently each time due to the availability of an information rich BIM
- Information rich intelligent BIM, provided a thorough documentation of the as built structure
- As a result new equipment set up became easy and clash free
- The management managed to save a lot of cost and time in the process of catering to the changing spatial requirements
Related services
This case study draws on ASTCAD’s BIM services. We also deliver:
- 3d scanning — for related project requirements
- Mep design — for complementary deliverables
Need this kind of expertise on your next project?
ASTCAD is Australia’s trusted CAD design and drafting partner since 2010, delivering across mechanical, structural, civil, architectural and electrical disciplines to AS 1100, AS 4100, AS 3600 and AS/NZS 3000.
Point cloud to BIM service scope options
Our point cloud to BIM service scales across three engagement shapes: full capture-and-model where we manage scanning through delivery, model-only where your surveyor supplies registered clouds, and verification where an existing model needs independent checking against scan data. Each is priced against the element scope and LOD rather than building area alone, because a services-dense plant building and an empty warehouse of equal footprint are entirely different modelling propositions.
Whichever shape fits, the deliverable discipline stays constant: model, modelling report, and stated tolerances — the documentation that lets your design team trust the geometry without re-measuring the site.