Novel Technologies for Deep-Excavation Digital Construction Records
Publication: Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction
Volume 21, Issue 4
Abstract
The creation of underground space is an integral part of urban infrastructure development because it provides a way to accommodate denser urbanization while maintaining the quality of metropolitan life. To be successful, large-scale underground construction in cities must be performed safely with minimal impact on economic activity. A detailed record of construction activity is needed to complement and correlate with measured excavation response. This paper presents novel imaging and software used in conjunction with traditional documentation methods to capture progress of the Transbay Transit Center (TTC) excavation in downtown San Francisco. A handheld digital camera, high-definition hard-hat-mounted action camera, and unmanned drone-mounted camera were used to acquire excavation geometry during progressive stages of construction. Raw two-dimensional imaging data were converted to three-dimensional construction staging models. A social media platform used as a communication tool among project personnel, generated data that were mined for construction-history information. The virtual models and social media data supplemented with field notes and drawings were used to develop a higher-fidelity digital archive that can be used to efficiently capture and preserve detailed construction history.
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Acknowledgments
The authors thank the National Science Foundation (NSF) and Dr. Richard Fragaszy for the financial support of this work under Grant Number NSF CMMI 11-0100. Special thanks are also due to the Transbay Joint Power Authority (TJPA) for giving the authors access to the project. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the NSF or TJPA.
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Published In
Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction
Volume 21 • Issue 4 • November 2016
Copyright
© 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jan 19, 2016
Accepted: Apr 15, 2016
Published online: Jun 27, 2016
Published in print: Nov 1, 2016
Discussion open until: Nov 27, 2016
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