The role of various structural steel projects is huge. They support the modern world, so to speak. But what is the role of 3D scanning in all of this? Let's talk about it. Let's see how to improve a structural steel structure with just a few moves.
The Safety of Structural Objects
Since they support bridges, warehousing, and modern high-rise towers, the variety of structural steel shapes has one thing in common: they must be safe. Unfortunately, ensuring safety is the most difficult part of engineering. But 3D scanning can help with that. How?
A drone equipped with a sophisticated scanner can be used to plan any structural steel structure. By detailed mapping of the job site, it provides multiple sets of information. They include accurate 3D terrain representation with all sorts of measurements from basically every angle. Because of that, an engineering team is able to virtually build a future steel construction and test it with simulations.
Enhanced Engineering Possibilities
The above works, especially while planning a bold steel construction. In some cases, aesthetics and appearances of progress are a priority as well as safety. They show that a particular country, for example, is up-to-date with modern standards. That's why authorities care about creating something inspiring, something that will catch an eye. 3D scanning enables architects to stretch their talents as far as it is possible. The same can be said about costs. Virtual simulations of a structural steel structure in a 3D environment allow experiments with new designs. That's how cost-effective steel products can be introduced into projects without the need of building anything at all.
Maintenance of Structural Steel Structure
3D models of steel structures that already exist show engineers potential threats. A scanner measures everything that can be wrong with a structural steel construction. Even the smallest tilts are detected this way. And so are cracks or particular elements that seem a bit loose. The structural steel is a combination of multiple parts, after all. A 3D scan of an entire object doesn't take long, but it can point out details undetectable otherwise.
That provides a chance to implement repairs in advance. In addition, 3D scanners offer thermal surveys. They are crucial if a structural steel structure serves as a pipeline, for example. It can convey heat, and temperature losses might interfere with its purposes. Thermal scanning will reveal this problem and show where maintenance services must be prioritised.
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