Course Overview

The aim of the course is to provide a general understanding of 3D laser scanning technology and imaging possibilities. The course will provide a comprehensive overview of laser scanning technology and its field applications in civil and architectural engineering, road building, mechanical engineering, and other fields.

What is 3D laser scanning? A 3D laser scanner produces a point cloud, which is a set of points in 3D space forming a 3D image.

The course introduces different methods for manipulating point clouds, such as transforming point clouds onto a common coordinate system, removing unwanted point cloud data, creating deliverables in 2D, and converting a point cloud into a 3D BIM model. The focus is also on uncertainties in laser scanning measurements. 

Learning Outcomes

Having passed the course, the students:

• understand the basic principles and application possibilities of 3D laser scanning,
• know the basics of 3D point cloud processing,
• are able to plan and carry out laser scanning work,
• are able to create deliverables such as 2D plans and 3D BIM models.

Course Content

The general outline of the course

• 3D imaging methods. Remote sensing (scanners, photogrammetry, radars, sonars). Introduction to laser scanning technology. Fields of applications. Basics of electromagnetic distance measurement systems. Laser technology, characteristics, and safety. Advantages of laser scanning.
• Static versus dynamic laser scanning. Common laser distance measuring principles: Time of Flight, Phase Shift, and Waveform Digitizing Technology.
• The influence of scanning geometry. The influence of scanning geometry on the quality of the point cloud.
• The architecture of different laser scanners (field-of-view etc.). An overview of different scanners on the market.
• Laser scanning fieldwork. Measurement validation. Survey Control (types, establishing methods, etc.). Laser scanning data acquisition process.
• Principles of point cloud manipulations. Data transformation i.e. registration, georeferencing, visualization, creating deliverables such as 2D plans and cross-sections and 3D as-built BIM models.
• Fieldwork (group work).
• Data processing (computer class).

During the course, various exercises will be carried out. The results of the exercises will be analyzed and discussed in the classroom.

Instructional Method

The studies consist of lectures, seminars, hands-on work, fieldwork, and independent work.

Required Course Materials

The point clouds are processed and visualized in a computer class using Autodesk Recap, AutoCad, and Revit software.

The software and hardware are required for the course.

The laser scanning equipment and point cloud data are provided by the TTK University of Applied Sciences of Estonia.

Assessment

The result of a written test, the results from the laboratory work, and a subject paper form the final grade of the course.

A maximum of 50 points can be obtained for the test and a maximum of 50 points can be obtained for the laboratory work, the subject paper, and attending the classwork.