Produced by David Roberts

Executive Summary Terrestrial Laser Scanning David Roberts

1.0 – Introduction It is set up on a conventional surveying tripod and comes

with a tribrach, the scanning unit, batteries, main unit
There are several different makes and models of Laser and relevant cabling. Also the requirement of either a
Scanners available within industry. For the purpose of tablet or notebook is needed to gather recorded data. On
this report it will focus on the Leica ScanStation 2. average 20-30 detailed scans can be completed per day
due to the size of data captured on the memory card.
2.0 – Technical Description
In short, the scanner sights an object using a laser.
Motorised systems within the scanner and a large view (Figure 4) (Figure 5)
finder offer a 360° horizontal rotation by 270° available
scan area to create a full-field-of-view. This combined
with the laser creates a 2D or 3D image represented by
points in space known as point clouds, the higher the
resolution of point clouds the more detailed the scan and
the higher the precision. The more detailed the scan the
longer the time taken to complete it. The distance of the
scanner from the desired object also denotes the details
of the data recovered, typically the ScanStation2 operates
from a range of <1m to 300m delivering survey grade
accuracy. From this data, drawings and 3D models can be
created, this can be done in conventional ‘industry
standard’ programs such as AutoCAD or CloudWorks. Due to the scale of the data collected during a day’s
scanning a substantial amount of working hours are
(Figure 1)
necessary to model these point clouds into a useful
deliverable.

3.0 - Practical Demonstration

Having witnessed firsthand a demonstration of the

scanner, it is clear that the speed at which a high grade
survey can take place is relatively non-time consuming in
comparison with the detail of the deliverables. It is also
important to mention that the scan is available in real
time via the notebook or tablet. This allows surveyors to
instantly observe the quality of the scan in terms or
detail and resolution and either re scan or
modify if necessary. The scan took around 30secs to a
minute to complete and created a 3-D model on screen of
the room in which the scan took place. This can take
place night or day as the scanner does not rely on
(Figure 2) (Figure 3) ambient lighting. The set up of the scanner was straight
forward and took no more time than a conventional
theodolite. Therefore the training of staff in the practical
use of the scanner would be relatively short, although
training on how to manipulate the data on the relevant
software may take longer.

(Figure 6)

The main differentiating types of models are static and

dynamic time-of-flight (TOF) scanners. For the purposes
of structural modifications static models are sufficient.
This could be said for a range of uses such as
geotechnical, in particular earthworks, and
highway/railway engineering where static TOF scanning
would be sufficient for high grade surveys of bridges and
roadside/trackside structures.
For the acquisition of larger objects it’s necessary to use
targets which the scanners can be aligned to as a
common reference point. There are other methods of
using direct measurement of orientation but due to cost
and ease, artificial targets are preferential.
 Terrestrial Laser Scanning
4.0 - Review of Published Work References:

A booklet is available called ‘3-D Risk Mapping’ which Fig 1 – http://i.ytimg.com/vi/l0CzoRi_pvA/0.jpg

details laser scanning. It was formulated as a result of an
EU funded project. The booklet details the applications Fig 2 – http://www.earthmover.com.au/new-
of laser scanning, including its ability to reduce risk to equipment/2009/october/leica2019s-scanstation-slashes-
surveyors and improve health and safety, for example, field-time-in-half/image_mini
minimizing the need for surveyors to enter potentially
dangerous situations in order to retrieve data such as Fig 3 -
unstable slopes or large excavations/trenches. It also http://www.glassmagazine.com/files/gmfiles/Technology_1
details the principles behind laser scanning and how it Web.jpg
operates in practice, including, planning, field operation,
data acquisition (scanning/measuring objects or Fig 4 -
targets), as well as 3-D point cloud processing including http://www.surveyequipment.com/images/scanstation_2.jpg
2-d and 3-d modeling. A series of case studies are also
available which offer an insight into potential uses of the Fig 5 -
scanner although none are specifically relevant to the http://ww1.prweb.com/prfiles/2008/03/11/227984/gI_0_Leic
company. aScanStation2low.jpg

This booklet is available at: www.3driskmapping.org Fig 6 - http://www.leica-

geosystems.com/images/new/product_solution/Surveyor_La
5.0 - Conclusion and Recommendations ptop_square.jpg

Laser scanners have the ability to enhance productivity Fig 7 - http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD62h_b-

by increasing the volumes of data produced in a single tWU/Sxk3Qy2yubI/AAAAAAAACWU/oSm88EBXWzk/s
day of surveying. They offer a precision and accuracy of 400/8.jpeg
data collection which is survey grade quality, as well as
the ability to minimise the potential risks to surveyors by
allowing accurate and detailed remote surveying. Once a
team is operational this technology has the capacity to
increase the speed of data collection and offer new
deliverables that both the company and the client can
benefit from, such as 3-D modeling.

The initial cost of purchasing one would be

approximately £60000 for the scanner and other
necessary equipment, plus the cost of training personnel
to use the equipment.

My recommendation would be to invest in a laser

scanner as it has the potential to benefit the company not
only for structural but also geotechnical and
highway/railway engineering. Its versatility as a
technology lends itself to other applications and offers
deliverables that are not possible with any other
technology at this time.

(Figure 7)