Crews Are Using It To Identify Irregularities
With the potential risk of time degrading its supports and exterior, Tampa’s historic Union Station decided to be proactive. They commissioned a 3D scan of the building as part of an ongoing effort to maintain the structure for coming generations. Using 3D laser scanning services, the team created the most accurate picture yet of all its red bricks, which revealed any areas that required special attention or repairs.
Union Station has been designated a local and national historic landmark and is currently stable. However, repairs and preventative measures must be taken to prepare the historic building.
The risks to Union Station
Union Station is exposed to various conditions that could affect its stability. For example, Tampa’s humid and rainy weather conditions could potentially cause the historic station to deteriorate. Florida’s well-known hurricane season also poses a tremendous risk to the historic structure.
Furthermore, as part of its longstanding restoration efforts, Union Station’s foundations will be exposed for the first time in over 50 years. This exposure will put the red bricks and mortar under pressure and could damage them if proper, proactive action is not taken quickly.
Some distortion over time might cause damage that would not be noticeable at first glance, but if severe enough at certain points, bigger problems could arise.
Historic buildings like Union Station are some of the best use cases for 3D scanned data that can identify irregularities. Using 3D scanning services, a team of architects and engineers can create both 3D visualizations of historic buildings and mortar formulas to replace crumbling aggregate footings.
Laser scanning could, for example, show if walls are shifting or foundations are sinking, or help architects determine how to repair a key component of a building. Used in conjunction with daily visual inspections, risks can be mitigated and determined.
The benefits of 3D scanning for historic architecture
When it comes to preserving historic architecture, 3D scanning services are superior to traditional inspection services in architecture for several reasons.
First, they can cover a wide area in less time. Second, 3D scanners allow for both high-resolution images and large data sets that allow them to inspect objects such as historic buildings or parts thereof (i.e., brick walls). With the use of blueprints and historical records gained from accredited sources, this scanned point set can be presented both as a virtual model and as a technical drawing.
The 3D scan of the Union Station’s exterior and interior brick walls allowed for a comprehensive look at its condition. A computer model was created from those scans to make repairs easier and more precise for construction workers.
Conclusion: how 3D laser scanning services are transforming architecture
3D scanning services allow architects, engineers, and other specialists to design restoration techniques as well as create an accurate representation of historic buildings. Such methods of preservation research allow engineers to forego more damaging or difficult inspection approaches, reducing wear on precious historical elements of the landmarks we all wish to save.