Architecture and spatial development, Architecture et aménagement de l'espace, Civil engineering, Génie civil, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Sciences appliquees, Applied sciences, Batiment. Travaux publics, Buildings. Public works, Calcul des constructions. Sollicitations, Structural analysis. Stresses, Méthodes de calcul. Tables. Abaques, Computation methods. Tables. Charts, Balayage, Scanning, Exploración, Formation image, Imaging, Formación imagen, Image numérique, Digital image, Imagen numérica, Industrie construction, Construction industry, Industria construcción, Laser, Láser, Modèle physique, Physical model, Modelo físico, Modélisation, Modeling, Modelización, Procédé construction, Building process, Método construcción, Prototypage rapide, Rapid prototyping, Prototipificación rápida, Prototype, Prototipo, Représentation tridimensionnelle, Three dimensional representation, Representación tridimensional, Résultat, Result, Resultado, Système intégré, Integrated system, Sistema integrado, Construction methods, Digital techniques, Imaging techniques, Nebraska, and Prototypes

This paper describes an innovative approach to building modeling by integrating three-dimensional (3D) digital laser scanning and rapid prototyping (RP) technology. The process involves capturing a 3D scan of a building exterior and using the RP process to create a 3D physical model. Traditional methods used for feasibility studies, safety analysis, and planning of the building process can be slow, costly, and often impractical. This technique proved to be advantageous in terms of cost, speed, and reduction of human error. The Construction Systems Department at the Peter Kiewit Institute, University of Nebraska, in Omaha, Neb. teamed with Lamp Rynearson and Associates, a consulting engineering firm from Omaha, Neb., to verify that data collected by the laser scanner could be converted to the proper format to create a physical model using RP technology. Results obtained from this project indicate that the technique was less expensive, quicker, and far more accurate than traditional methods.