1. Introduction

New technologies are substantially transforming the construction and engineering sectors, introducing new design, construction, and management ways of facilities. One of the most important technologies among these innovations is Scan-to-BIM (Scanning for Building Information Modelling). It integrates laser scanning and BIM with the purpose to design very accurate digital models of buildings from scanned data. These models render design solutions more accurate, development processes quicker, and eliminate risks associated with design errors.

The technology is applied in all stages of a building’s life cycle, from surveying existing buildings to reconstruction and preservation. Despite its growing popularity, the technology faces some obstacles, including the high cost of equipment, problems with processing extremely large datasets, and the lack of standard procedures for implementation. Listed problems stress the necessity for further research on the potential and prospective use of Scan-to-BIM in engineering and construction companies. The purpose of this study is to examine the current state and future directions of Scan-to-BIM technology in engineering and construction industries.

2. Main part. Current capabilities of Scan-to-BIM technology

Modern design and asset management strategies in the construction industry increasingly rely on high-accuracy data and its seamless integration into digital environments, particularly in the context of adapting international business models to local construction materials markets [1]. The Scan-to-BIM can be regarded as one of the most effective technologies to fulfill such requirements by effectively creating digital building and infrastructure models from laser-scanned data. «From this perspective, the technology enables new opportunities for structural assessment, planning of repair and reconstruction works, and management of building life cycles.

It represents perhaps the most advanced method of getting highly detailed three-dimensional models of existing structures. Traditional methods of building surveying and inspection are usually time-consuming and more subject to human error. Laser scanning, when integrated with BIM, delivers precise data with minimal effort, enabling the creation of models that accurately reflect the current state of an asset. These models can be applied to the design of engineering systems, structural analysis, or evaluation of a building’s condition [2].

Scan-to-BIM also significantly facilitates the decision-making process in project development by having visualized data and analytic tools available. Using accurate scanning data, the disassembly process can be carefully planned with minimized costs and waste generation. This capability is particularly useful for existing older buildings, where the lack of available documentation renders traditional inspection processes even more challenging. Another main application of Scan-to-BIM is in building operation phases. The information model provided by laser scanning can serve as a foundation for facility management, enabling the monitoring of a building’s condition, documentation of wear and tear on buildings, and planning of preventive maintenance.

Scan-to-BIM is also important when it comes to preparing buildings for demolition or deconstruction. On the basis of correct scanning information, the process of dismantling can be planned with caution, saving money and generating less waste. 3D models can identify recyclable materials as well, and hence the technology becomes a significant resource in terms of circular economy principles and sustainable construction practices [3].

Scan-to-BIM’s contribution to ensuring greater construction safety is not less meaningful. Scanning models enable one to identify possible risks of reconstruction or operation running at the initial phase, allowing for immediate countermeasures. Use of these models reduces the involvement of people in dangerous conditions, as most of the inspection and calculation processes can be performed within a virtual environment.

Generally, Scan-to-BIM offers the construction industry a powerful tool for increasing the precision and efficiency of design, management, and operation processes. Despite its extensive capabilities, the technology necessitates a comprehensive implementation approach, involving professional training, process standardization, and the modernization of existing methodologies.

3. Prospects for the application of Scan-to-BIM in the construction industry

Scan-to-BIM technology stands for modern approaches in modelling and analysis, thus serving as a forward-looking method that might really change the essence of design, construction, and asset management practices. Precise laser scanning combined with the capacity of Building Information Modelling opens big perspectives for further development of the construction industry by including process automation, increasing economic efficiency, and making it resilient to the challenges of digital transformation.

One of the key prospects of this technology lies in its deeper integration with construction project management systems. At the designing phase, Scan-to-BIM is able to create entire models taking into account the current state of a structure and for predicting its alterations over the course of its lifetime. This would be particularly critical in the event of high-tech infrastructure projects such as bridges, tunnels, and multi-story transportation interchanges, where precision and prediction are specially significant.

The technology also holds great promise for cost savings in construction by making processes simpler and less error-prone. Data gained from scanning can avoid possible clashes between engineering systems and structure components at the design phase. This can lead to a lot of rework being avoided out in the field and, consequently, the cost of the project overall decreasing.

Another key potential is the increased application of Scan-to-BIM for the restoration of historic building and cultural heritage sites. Traditional restoration methods are time-consuming and involve much labor with the possibility of losing important architectural details. Scan-to-BIM makes it possible to preserve the whole digital replica of these buildings because it is accurate in restoration and offers virtual reconstruction possibilities for educational and cultural purposes [4].

Another major avenue for the development of Scan-to-BIM technology is its adaptation for sustainable construction practices. As environmental concerns and material recycling gain increasing attention, Scan-to-BIM can serve as a valuable tool for planning building deconstruction with minimal waste [5]. Accurate 3D models allow for the early assessment of material volumes that can be recycled or reused, thereby contributing to the reduction of the carbon footprint of construction projects.

The future of Scan-to-BIM is also closely tied to advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning. It is the application of intelligent algorithms to process laser-scan data that is the key to realizing new capabilities, such as automatic structural damage detection or prediction of material wear. These improvements have the potential to significantly reduce analysis times and enhance results quality.

One of the most promising prospects lies in the application of Scan-to-BIM technology by small and medium-sized construction companies, which often face financial constraints. Presently, the large construction firms are using Scan-to-BIM, but advancements in less expensive equipment and software could, theoretically, lead to local contractors picking up the technology, thus driving the overall industry digital maturity. The challenges of incorporating this technology encompass economic, technical, organizational, and environmental aspects, as they require targeted solutions for overcoming existing barriers (table 1).

Table 1

Limitations of Scan-to-BIM technology [6, 7]

The applications for Scan-to-BIM are immense and vary from improved design accuracy to the potential of constructing green and sustainable buildings. To harness the maximum potential of this technology, its technical competence needs to be further developed and an integrated regulatory framework established in order to enable its large-scale application in the building construction industry.

4. Examples of Scan-to-BIM use in reconstruction

The reconstruction of industrial and any other complicated architectural structures is one of the most complicated tasks in construction. This type of project requires very precise structure condition evaluations, integrated design approaches, and cost minimization during realization. Scan-to-BIM technology currently proves to be irreplaceable in transforming laser-scanned data into building information models. This significantly enhances the accuracy and efficiency of reconstruction processes. According to a global survey of professionals in the construction and architectural sectors [8], the majority of buildings designed using Scan-to-BIM technology are commercial and industrial facilities (fig. 1).

Figure 1. Distribution of worldwide Scan-to-BIM projects by building type in 2020, %

A leading provider of Scan-to-BIM services, BIM Innovations has successfully completed over 1,500 projects based on point cloud modelling. Their expertise spans a wide range of industries, ranging from modelling industrial complexes, bridges, and railway stations to historic monuments. BIM Innovations specializes in creating precise models of existing buildings from 3D laser scanning data of major industry providers such as Faro, Leica, Matterport, Navvis, Trimble, and Geoslam. Their services include highly detailed modelling of engineering systems with a level of detail up to 500, showcasing their ability to address complex industrial reconstruction challenges [9].

Epicon, another notable example, actively employs Scan-to-BIM technology in its projects, enabling efficient solutions for the reconstruction and modernization of complex industrial facilities. In Moscow, Epicon successfully completed a project involving a natural gas metering unit by using laser scanning to accurately reproduce existing pipelines and metal structures as BIM models. This approach significantly reduced the time and budget required for the technical upgrade of the facility. Additionally, Epicon completed a laser scanning project in Yaroslavl within one month, securing high precision and efficiency in its execution [10].

Application of Scan-to-BIM technology for industrial rebuilding assists in developing accurate digital models of current structures, simplifying the process of design and preventing risk due to errors of original information. It is particularly crucial for complex projects where traditional surveying may be impossible to obtain the required level of accuracy or would be too lengthy. Through utilization of automated laser scanning and building information modelling technologies, companies prove the effectiveness and usability of Scan-to-BIM in real life.

5. Conclusion

Scan-to-BIM technology has been found to be a useful way of integrating design, reconstruction, and operation processes in construction and increasing the accuracy and efficiency of such processes in all possible ways. Its capabilities are already being utilized in practice, with future prospects for further automation of processes, integration with artificial intelligence, and broader use in green construction. Successful experiences, such as the rebuilding of industrial facilities by companies, demonstrate its capacity to resolve complex problems in real practice. To reap the maximum potential of Scan-to-BIM, current constraints, for example, a high hardware cost, the absence of standards, and complexity in processing data, must be eliminated.