TLS measurements of initial imperfections of steel frames for structural analysis within BIM-enabled platforms

Terrestrial Laser Scanners (TLS) provide manifold possibilities in construction sites. In buildings assembled with steel frames, the "as-built" configuration of the structure can be virtualized by means of TLS measurements in the form of digital 3D point cloud data. This paper presents an integration of procedures related to the reproduction of realistic wire representations of steel frames. This integration encompasses the use of terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) measurements and the development of BIM-friendly wire models based on these measurements. These models are intended to be used in subsequent geometrically nonlinear analysis of the frames using similar BIM environments. All measurements are taken on laboratory tests of sway and non-sway stainless steel subjected to vertical and lateral loading. The "as-built" geometrical initial conditions can be used for the development of models embedded within BIM platforms for their subsequent usage in structural verification.