Capturing As-Built Information for a BIM Environment Using 3D Laser Scanner: A Process Model

Building Information Models (BIM) are becoming a new design standard for storing and exchanging information about a facility. Usually, as-built information is available for new buildings whereas existing buildings, rarely, have a 3D as-built BIM model. 3D Laser Scanners offer the opportunity for faster and less error-prone creation of as-built BIM models compared with the traditional methods of surveying. The process, from scanning a facility until an as-built BIM model is created, is not fully automated yet. Several attempts towards that problem (Scan-toBIM problem) have been identified in the literature review. However most of them propose systems that are case based and cannot perform under different conditions. The need for a general description of a system upon all the stakeholders can work on, discuss and provide solutions emerges: process models were found to correspond to that need. This paper surveys how a Scan-to-BIM system can be modelled. To that end, the IDEF0 modelling methodology has been employed and the Scan-to BIM Process Model has been created. According to the generated Process Model, a general description of the Scan-to-BIM process has been given and relevant problems and areas of discussion have been identified. Finally, implementation and validation of the model are proposed for future work.