LONG RANGE LASER SCANNING FOR STADIUMS & ARENAS

Stadiums and arenas are massive, complex structures with unique geometry and building shapes. They generally require a different approach to 3D laser scanning because of the large, open spaces. PrecisionPoint often uses two types of scanners—short range for interiors and long range laser scanning for the arenas themselves (whether open aired or enclosed). PPI has the expertise needed to blend these scanner technologies to produce accurate 3D point cloud models, and ultimately the building information model needed for renovations and retrofits.

Client: Indiana University

Project: $40 million renovation to the infamous Assembly Hall.  The project included adding amenities for which most modern arenas are known, like box seats, fancy concessions, and a jumbo video scoreboard.

Challenge: The university lacked sufficient as-built drawings for the arena, and thus requested 100% of the facility be scanned and modeled.

Solution: PrecisionPoint was awarded the contract to generate a 3D model of the entire building from CSO Architects, an Indiana firm responsible for creating the renovation designs. PPI’s job was to scan and model the interior and exterior architectural and structural features, as well as MEP and HVAC systems throughout.

One reason PPI was chosen for this project is our experience using long range laser scanning and survey dimensional control techniques. These skills are especially crucial for a project this size to ensure the high-definition digital scans have an accurate fit and alignment. We also know how to work in a live environment, which brought additional value to the project. Even during the summer, the field house was in continual use, but we knew how to work around all the athletic activities going on inside the facility.

PrecisionPoint crews divided the scanning work into three phases, focusing first on the southern portion of the building where most of the renovations were planned. Over a period of several weeks, PPI captured more than 500 scans covering every inch of the arena. Most outdoor scans, including the roof and facades, were collected with long-range scanners, while short-range scanners were used indoors in the tighter spaces, including three basement mechanical rooms. Once the scans were completed, PPI stitched them together and registered the resultant point cloud to the survey dimensional control.

One of the toughest modeling aspects in a building like Assembly Hall involves the MEP/HVAC features. Because the HVAC system would be upgraded in the renovation, the designers needed to know precisely where the existing as-built ducting was located, including all of its bends and turns.

Each of the mechanical rooms scanned was crammed with ducts, pipes, and conduit. PrecisionPoint broke the scanned 3D point cloud into smaller segments, each including one of the basement mechanical rooms. We then used EdgeWise™ MEP software to model the HVAC duct runs and other electrical and plumbing elements. The complexity of these areas would have otherwise taken months to measure, extract, and model manually.

Ultimately, PrecisionPoint delivered Revit as-built models that included the architecture, structure, and MEP/HVAC data. CSO is already using the models in design work on the renovation, and the university will archive the entire as-built dataset for future remodeling and additions to the stadium.