Automatic 3D modelling of metal frame connections from LiDAR data for structural engineering purposes

The automatic generation of 3D as-built models from LiDAR data is a topic where significant progress has been made in recent years. This paper describes a new method for the detection and automatic 3D modelling of frame connections and the formation of profiles comprising a metal frame from LiDAR data. The method has been developed using an approach to create 2.5D density images for subsequent processing using the Hough transform. The structure connections can be automatically identified after selecting areas in the point cloud. As a result, the coordinates of the connection centre, composition (profiles, size and shape of the haunch) and direction of their profiles are extracted. A standard file is generated with the data obtained from the geometric and semantic characterisation of the connections. The 3D model of connections and metal frames, which are suitable for processing software for structural engineering applications, are generated automatically based on this file. The algorithm presented in this paper has been tested under laboratory conditions and also with several industrial portal frames, achieving promising results. Finally, 3D models were generated, and structural calculations were performed.