Exploitation of Geometric Data provided by Laser Scanning to Create FEM Structural Models of Bridges
Publication: Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 30, Issue 3
Abstract
Quantitative tools providing information about the state of the health of a bridge in service are shown to be an essential part of the maintenance required to extend its useful life. Laser scanning technology has shown in recent years a high potential applicability. One of the principal applications is the use of the detailed geometrical information extracted as a basis for the creation of precise computational models. To date, no commercial software nor a robust automatic approach for the direct transformation of these data into valid models for analysis by the finite-element method (FEM) exists. The aim of this paper is to provide an easy and practical methodology that allows the conversion of point clouds into FEM models so that daily real cases of engineering can take the benefit of the precise geometrical description to subsequently carry out the structural assessment of bridges in service.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
This work has been partially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through the project “HERMES-S3D: Healthy and Efficient Routes in Massive Open-Data based Smart Cities” (Ref.: TIN2013-46801-C4-4-R) and by Xunta de Galicia (Grant No. CN2012/269).
References
ABAQUS [Computer software]. Providence, RI, Dassault Systèmes Simulia Corporation.
Arayici, Y. (2007). “An approach for real world data modelling with the 3D terrestrial laser scanner for built environment.” Autom. Constr., 16(6), 816–829.
Besl, P. J., and McKay, N. D. (1992). “A method for registration of 3-D shapes.” IEEE Trans. Pattern Anal. Mach. Intell., 14(2), 239–256.
Chen, S., Liu, W., Bian, H., and Smith, B. (2012). “3D LiDAR scans for bridge damage evaluations.” Forensic Engineering 2012, ASCE, Reston, VA, 487–495.
Dai, K., Boyajian, D., Liu, W., Chen, S., Scott, J., and Schmieder, M. (2014). “Laser-based field measurement for a bridge finite-element model validation.” J. Perform. Constr. Facil., 04014024.
Geomagic studio Version 2012 [Computer software]. Rock Hill, SC, 3D Systems.
González-Aguilera, D., and Gómez-Lahoz, J. (2009). “Dimensional analysis of bridges from a single image.” Comput. Civ. Eng., 319–329.
Gonzalez Serrano, A., Besiga Diaz-Blanco, J., López Escapa, R., and Blanco Ibañez, F. (1999). “Pasarela peatonal atirantada en la carretera de acceso a la Universidad de Vigo [Cable stayed footbridge on the access road to the University of Vigo].” Informes de la Construcción, 51(461), 5–8 (in Spanish).
Hinks, T., Carr, H., Truong-Hong, L., and Laefer, D. F. (2013). “Point cloud data conversion into solid models via point-based voxelization.” J. Surv. Eng., 72–83.
Jaishi, B., and Ren, W. (2005). “Structural finite element model updating using ambient vibration test results.” J. Struct. Eng., 617–628.
Laefer, D.-F, Truong-Hong, L., and Fitztgerald, M. (2011). “Processing of terrestrial laser scanning point cloud data for computational modelling of building facades.” Recent Pat. Comput. Sci., 4(1), 16–29.
Lubowiecka, I., Armesto, J., Arias, P., and Lorenzo, H. (2009). “Historic bridge modeling using laser scanning, ground penetration radar and finite element methods in the context of structural dynamics.” Eng. Struct., 31(11), 2667–2676.
Ministerio de Fomento. (2008). “Guía para la realización de inspecciones principales de obras de paso en la Red de Carreteras del Estado [Guide for conducting principal inspections works upon Highway Network State].” Madrid, Spain (in Spanish).
Morris, A. (2012). “It’s about time.” LiDar Magazine, Vol. 2, No. 3, 〈http://www.lidarnews.com/PDF/LiDARMagazine_Morris-ItsAboutTime_Vol2No3.pdf〉 (Jun. 6, 2015).
National Transportation Safety Board. (2008). “Collapse of I-35W highway bridge, Minneapolis, Minnesota, August 1, 2007.” 〈http://www.dot.state.mn.us/i35wbridge/pdf/ntsb-report.pdf〉 (Jun. 6, 2015).
Olofssona, I., et al. (2005). “Assessment of European railway bridges for future traffic demands and longer lives—EC project sustainable bridges.” Struct. Infrastruct. Eng., 1(2), 93–100.
SAP2000 [Computer software]. Berkeley, CA, Computers and Structures.
SolidWorks Premium Version 2010 [Computer software]. Paris, Dassault Systemes.
Tang, P., and Akinci, B. (2012a). “Automatic execution of workflows on laser-scanned data for extracting bridge surveying goals.” Adv. Eng. Inf., 26(4), 889–903.
Tang, P., and Akinci, B. (2012b). “Formalization of workflows for extracting bridge surveying goals from laser-scanner data.” Autom. Constr., 22, 306–319.
Tang, P., Huber, D., Akinci, B., Lipman, R., and Lytle, A. (2010). “Automatic reconstruction of as-built building information models from laser-scanned point clouds: A review of related techniques.” Autom. Constr., 19(7), 829–843.
Tognaccini, R. (2009). La Chiesa di Santa Maria del Mar a Barcelona-Dal Rilievo Tridimensionale all’Analisi Strutturale, Univ. of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Van Rens, J. (2007). “Riegl LiDAR scanner plays a critical role in support of structural analysis of the I-35W Minnesota bridge collapse.” 〈http://www.riegl.com/uploads/tx_pxpriegldownloads/minnesota_bridge_PR_Final.pdf〉. (Jun. 6, 2015).
Vosselman, G., and Hans-Gerd, M. (2010). Airbone and terrestrial laser scanning, Whittles Publishing, Dunbeath, Caithness, Scotland.
Walsh, S. B., Borello, D. J., Guldur, B., and Hajjar, J. F. (2013). “Data processing of point clouds for object detection for structural engineering applications.” Comput.-Aided Civ. Infrastruct. Eng., 28(7), 495–508.
Watson, C., Chen, S., Bian, H., and Hauser, E. (2012). “Three-dimensional terrestrial LIDAR for operational bridge clearance measurements.” J. Perform. Constr. Facil., 803–811.
Watson, C., Chen, S., Bian, H., and Hauser, E. (2013). “LiDAR scan for blasting impact evaluation on a culvert structure.” J. Perform. Constr. Facil., 460–467.
Zaki, M.-A., and Abu-Hamd, M.-H. (2007). “Rehabilitation assessment of a steel railway bridge by dynamic field testing.” Struct. Infrastruct. Eng., 3(4), 343–353.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 30 • Issue 3 • June 2016
Copyright
© 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jan 19, 2015
Accepted: May 14, 2015
Published online: Jul 3, 2015
Discussion open until: Dec 3, 2015
Published in print: Jun 1, 2016
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.