Integration of Automated and Robotic Systems with BIM for Comprehensive Structural Assessment

This paper presents a conceptual framework of how some recent efforts aimed at using data gained from automated and robotic structural sensing systems can be incorporated into Building Information Modeling (BIM) systems leading to a comprehensive, intelligent structural health management system. Robotic and similar automated systems may extend the reach of structural sensing systems to realms and modes that are impractical with other systems. This paper begins with a brief discussion of the operational principles of the following automated inspections systems: (1) Multisensor assessment of concrete corrosion damage; (2) Low-cost high-quality image processing for structural condition; (3) Quadcopter UAV for remote imaging of structural condition; (4) Suction foot robot for climbing on brick and concrete walls; (5) Wheeled robot with active stereo imaging system that measures structural shapes; and (6) Lidar imaging system with integration into BIM. These systems carry onboard sensors, such as 3-D optical imagers and ground penetrating radar. Issues when using these systems include: (1) Position registration and navigation; (2) Sensing system performance and operational procedures; (3) Safety; and (4) Intelligent integration of sensing data into structural database. The present state of the art is that these types of systems work reasonably well and can generate large data streams that quickly overwhelm manual management methods. A possible path of automated data management is to tie the data directly to a structural database. BIM is presented as a potential framework for data integration, synthesis, retrieval and rapid display of data in graphical formats tied to the structure, in a level of detail hierarchy.

Read More: http://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1061/9780784413357.242