Date Approved
3-3-2025
Embargo Period
3-17-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (M.S.)
Department
Civil engineering
College
Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering
Advisor
Jess Everett, Phd
Committee Member 1
William Riddell, PhD
Committee Member 2
Adriana Trias Blanco, PhD
Keywords
3D Modeling;Building Information Model;Laser Scanning
Disciplines
Civil and Environmental Engineering | Civil Engineering | Engineering
Abstract
Advances in computer processing have allowed mobile 3D laser scanners to begin to rival terrestrial scanners in terms of accuracy and scanning speed. While terrestrial scanners are the established instrument used in BIM creation for existing buildings, their cost, immobility, and size warrants a comparison to mobile scanners. This evaluation used scans created with both scanner types, the resulting point clouds, and 3D models created by tracing these point clouds to compare the BIM models and resulting floorplans, which were checked against direct on-site measurements. Because terrestrial scanners are considered state-of-the-art, the evaluation focused primarily on comparing mobile scanner and terrestrial scanner results. The two scanners produced point clouds that differed due to: (1) the accuracy of the scanners, which degrades with distance; (2) mobile scanner drift; and (3) room objects that block the terrestrial scanner from capturing model boundaries. Mobile scanners should be avoided when capturing large or featureless areas. Mobile scanners produced better results than terrestrial scanners in areas with many objects that block boundaries. Mobile scanners were faster in areas where terrestrial scanners required multiple scans. Differences between the 3D models produced by the two scanners appeared mostly due to mobile scanner drift. However, both scanners produced model floorplans that differed unacceptably from direct measurements. This result was unexpected and needs to be explored further.
Recommended Citation
Jankowski, Cedric Scott, "COMPARISON OF A TERRESTRIAL AND HANDHELD 3D LASER SCANNER IN AS-BUILT BUILDING INFORMATION MODEL (BIM) CREATION" (2025). Theses and Dissertations. 3339.
https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/3339
