Field Demonstration of Laser Scanning for Excavation Measurement

The use of a scanning laser to measure terrain changes due to excavation at a construction site is described. The objective at this phase of the project is to develop the tools necessary to measure terrain changes in real-time. This paper focuses on adaptations required to extend previously developed scanning procedures and post-processing algorithms for an indoor laboratory environment to a large outdoor area such as a construction site. The challenges encountered, techniques that worked or didn?t work, and lessons learned are Discussed.