It is essential to accurately document construction areas. Doing so will aid with planning. It will make the construction process more efficient, accurate, and productive.
In the past, photo documentation was the primary capture method. It was a time-consuming process that often led to inaccuracies.
Reality capture services integrate modern technology like 3D mapping, BIM laser scanning, drones, and smartphone photos to take images. Often the camera is attached to a worker’s hard hat taking pictures as they walk through the area or a drone that is manned outside of the building site. The pictures are immediately uploaded to the cloud where they can be viewed by everyone involved with the project.
Read on to find out more about reality capture and how it can benefit the construction industry.
What is Reality Capture Used For?
Site Walks:
The technology is often used in site walks. In addition to capturing images, it also uses machine learning to better understand the environment. It will align the maps and images more accurately to provide a complete picture.
Building Information Modeling:
Laser scanning and other forms of reality capture can help you create a model of your environment with a high level of accuracy. The scans may even provide a structural background for various systems during BIM coordination.
Viewing the Project:
The images captured can be used to view the project during meetings and reviews. It will provide a realistic image to stakeholders who may not understand the technicalities of the construction process.
Daily Operations:
Your images can serve as a reference when you are filling out relevant documents, sending emails, confirming change orders, and taking care of finances.
What are the Benefits of Reality Capture?
Creating As-Built Models:
The technology can be used to create as-built models with a high level of accuracy. These models can be used by contractors and architects to track progress, identify problem areas, and find solutions.
Aids with Scheduling and Planning:
You can use reality capture to create 3D models of work sites making it easier to plan your projects and schedule work.
Improves Quality:
Reality capture can be used for quality control purposes. It can identify potential problems and ensure work is being performed according to the relevant standards.
Increases Safety:
Reality capture images can identify safety hazards and determine the best work procedures moving forward. Drone-manned reality capture eliminates the need for physical walkthroughs.
Simplifies Communication:
Your images can be used to communicate with clients, subcontractors, and other parties to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Increases Accuracy:
Reality capture offers accurate images that make it easier for you to complete projects.
Reduces Risk:
Construction projects come with their share of risks. They can cause safety hazards. They can run over budget, extend past their timeline, and more. Reality capture reduces risk by identifying safety hazards and making processes more efficient.
Improves Decision Making:
Reality capture provides leaders with a complete picture, so they can make informed decisions.
Reduces Travel:
These tools capture images virtually so teams don’t need to travel to construction sites to see the latest conditions.
Reduces Mistakes and Rework:
Your 3D images will provide an internal visualization, so you don’t need to break down walls to see what’s happening behind them. It reduces the need for rework and destructive investigation.
Lowers Insurance Premiums:
Reality capture software identifies risk and helps you determine safe practices. It also simplifies the claims process. Many insurance companies offer discounts to teams that use this service.
Better Site Documentation:
The technology makes it easy to document conditions, so you spend less time getting more detailed accounts.
Improves Field Notes and Reduces Requests for Information:
Reality capture solutions upload field notes to the floor plan reducing the need for RFIs. If a request is made, you have a convenient communication source at your fingertips.
Image Organization:
The tool will keep your images organized so you can send them to stakeholders in a few clicks.
Easier Safety Inspections:
BIM laser scanning makes it easy to conduct safety inspections and QA/QC inspections and submit safety reports on completed projects.
Improved Closeout Packages:
Teams can use the images they capture to create a closeout package that facilitates ongoing maintenance.
