DIÑA, VAUGHN DREXLER R.

CE4-4

What is Lidar Technology and how does it work?

Lidar is an acronym of "light detection and ranging" or "laser imaging,

detection, and ranging". It is a method for determining ranges by targeting an object
or a surface with a laser and measuring the time for the reflected light to return to
the receiver. Lidar uses eye-safe laser beams to “see” the world in 3D, providing
machines and computers an accurate representation of the surveyed environment.
A typical lidar sensor emits pulsed light waves into the surrounding
environment. These pulses bounce off surrounding objects and return to the sensor.
The sensor uses the time it took for each pulse to return to the sensor to calculate
the distance it traveled.

Applications of LIDAR in Construction Industry

1. Planning
- Civil engineering projects are inherently large and complex. A project needs
survey reports, long-range plans, maps, and data to plan and design projects. But
engineers also have to manage construction costs, government regulations and
potential environmental hazards during the planning and risk analysis — and LiDAR is
making a big contribution.

2. Monitoring
- Many civil engineering structures have to be permanently monitored to
provide early warning of structural failure or the need for remediation work. This
Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is essential if structures are used beyond their
expected lifetime.

3. Safety
- Civil Engineers have a crucial role in ensuring that the workforce and the
public's safety are prioritized above all else. Of course, monitoring (as discussed
above) is influenced by safety, however, there are additional safety considerations at
play that impact the construction process too.

4. Sustainability
- Sustainable development is now central to civil engineering. The Institution
of Civil Engineers has already acknowledged the civil engineering sector's part in
building a more sustainable future. It has also emphasized how important it is for
companies to collaborate to ensure that green targets are met.
Importance of LIDAR in Construction Industry

Planning
- Complex projects need digital tools. You cannot realize the benefits of
applying digital techniques to civil engineering projects if they cannot be translated
back to the real spaces they represent. Before LiDAR, much of the data wasn't
accurate or current enough to enable the exploitation of digital technology for
efficient planning.

Monitoring
- Many civil infrastructures, especially bridges, were constructed in the late
1940s. While still in operation, they need to be monitored to assess their safety. For
example, along with other creaking infrastructure, the US sewer system is estimated
to pour out 1.26 trillion gallons of untreated sewage each year. There is a strong case
for detailed monitoring.

Safety
- Whether dealing with minor hazards or reducing the potential for major
accidents, managing safety risks is an essential requirement for civil engineers. It is
not a problem that is declining. For example, 20% of worker deaths in the US are in
construction, while construction workers only make up only 6% of the workforce.

Sustainability
- There is a growing worldwide awareness of carbon footprints and CO2
emissions – and the effect these are having on our environment. By 2050, the UK
Government aims to cut carbon emissions by at least 80%, compared with the 1990
baseline figure. Civil engineering projects have historically been a significant
contributor to the use of resources and environmental pollution.