Mapping hurricane-damaged properties with mobile LiDAR

In today's newsletter, we're diving into an extraordinary case study that exemplifies technological advancement in the face of natural disasters. Hurricane Irma, remembered as one of the most destructive storms to hit the United States since Katrina in 2005, left a trail of devastation and a staggering $50 billion in property damages.

Among the affected was the Westlake Apartments in Savannah, Georgia. This 111,000 sq. ft. residential complex, dating back to 1974, faced immense challenges due to extensive storm surge flooding. Without current building blueprints, reconstructing these 100-unit apartments presented a formidable task for Choate Construction.

Enter mobile LiDAR technology from FARO Technologies – a game-changer in rapid spatial data collection. Choate Construction, in a bid to efficiently produce internal floorplans and external elevations, leveraged this technology. The process involved just 14 scans (one for each building), significantly expediting data capture with minimal disturbance to residents. Each building scan took merely 40 minutes, totaling less than 10 hours of scanning work.

The results were nothing short of remarkable. The survey team achieved a remarkable level of accuracy, with all data within a 1-inch margin of error. The precision in capturing external features like walls and roofs was particularly impressive, free of any drift or errors. This accuracy was crucial in creating an accurate 3D Autodesk? Revit? model, which was then supplied to the project architect for restoration efforts.

This case study is not just about the resilience in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. It's a testament to how modern technology, like mobile LiDAR, can revolutionize property restoration, offering speed, accuracy, and minimal disruption. It's an inspiring example of innovation in the face of adversity, and we're excited to share it with you.

As we continue to explore groundbreaking technologies and their impact, we thank you, our 1,250 subscribers, for your continued support and interest.

Download The Case Study By CLICKING HERE

Stay curious and connected,

David Moss