Automated continuous construction progress monitoring using multiple workplace real time 3D scans

In recent years, exponential growth has been detected in research efforts focused on automated construction progress monitoring. Despite various data acquisition methods and approaches, the success is limited. This paper proposes a new method, where changes are constantly perceived and as-built model continuously updated during the construction process, instead of periodical scanning of the whole building under construction. It turned out that low precision 3D scanning devices, which are closely observing active workplaces, are sufficient for correct identification of the built elements. Such scanning devices are small enough to fit onto workers’ protective helmets and on the applied machinery. In this way, workers capture all workplaces inside and outside of the building in real time and record partial point clouds, their locations, and time stamps. The partial point clouds are then registered and merged into a complete 4D as-built point cloud of a building under construction. Identification of as-designed BIM elements within the 4D as-built point cloud then results in the 4D as-built BIM. Finally, the comparison of the 4D as-built BIM and the 4D as-designed BIM enables identification of the differences between both models and thus the deviations from the time schedule. The differences are reported in virtual real-time, which enables more efficient project management.