Midwestern Consulting

Data point cloud from the UT project

(Norcross, GA, 13 July 2010) The iconic Founders Hall at the University of Texas at Dallas is undergoing a speedy HVAC renovation and upgrade thanks in part to Midwestern Consulting, an engineering and surveying consulting firm, and its use high definition laser scanning technology.

Founders Hall was the first permanent structure built at the University soon after it was established in 1969. In 2009, the University initiated a $27.8 million renovation of the structure to improve energy efficiency and update classrooms, laboratories and meeting rooms in all three structures while adding modern amenities.

A key part of the efficiency improvements was to upgrade the complex’s existing 35,000-sq-ft HVAC piping and equipment located in the basement of the original Founders Hall Building C.

Using a Leica HDS 6000 from Leica Geosystems, Midwestern surveyors scanned the basement over the course of a week, collecting nearly 5.5 billion points of information. Then, with help from Ceeko, Inc., a data capture, processing and visualization firm, created a color-coding 3D model.

Brandon Walker, senior project manager with Midwestern Consulting, says, “With the 3D model, the architect and contractor were able to digitally compare the HVAC renovations with existing conditions and avoid potential clashes. We estimate that laser scanning saved at least three major conflicts, at an estimated $15,000 per conflict, on the project and three weeks time.

The Founders Hall renovation project is on schedule for completion in fall 2010.

Midwestern Consulting uses hi-tech laser scanning instruments to investigate auto accidents

It is not always sunny in Michigan! 

The spring and summer rains nurture new plant growth and our state blossoms into the pleasant peninsula described in the state motto.  These seasons also generate roadway crashes that seem to be related to stormwater ponding in highway ruts. 

Vehicle crashes occurring during rainstorms are a growing trend, and Midwestern Consulting is frequently contacted by personal injury and defense attorneys seeking our counsel on whether hydroplaning conditions likely contributed to a loss of vehicular control.   Our engineers are recognized experts in determining roadway conditions that could result in loss of control during rainstorms and the specific location where these conditions were present in relation to initial vehicle rotation and point of impact. 

Important considerations include a review of Doppler Radar for the specific storm and time of the crash, the tire tread depth and pressure, and the shape of the roadway along the vehicle’s travel path. 

Using high-definition 3D laser scanning equipment, Midwestern Consulting creates accurate surface models of each highway rut and calculates the probable depth of water in each rut along a section of roadway.  When this information is combined with the tire and rainfall data we are able to identify the speed and location at which each vehicle tire could be susceptible to loss of surface contact.  This information is used by a certified Accident Reconstructionist to verify calculations regarding the location and speed at which hydroplaning began – and to more accurately determine the velocity at the point of impact. 

Hydroplaning crashes frequently result in serious injury or death.  The scientific engineering approach that Midwestern Consulting takes in determining whether hydroplaning conditions were present is valuable in assisting attorneys as they pursue their cases to benefit their clients.  Our experts frequently are called upon to explain the hydroplaning analysis in depositions and court testimony. 

Jim Valenta, PE, is a senior transportation engineer at Midwestern Consulting, LLC.  He provides expert witness services related to roadway design and traffic accidents. Contact Jim at 734.995.0200.

3D building data collected for a previous project generated accurate elevation drawings for a new project and saved the client time and money.  Scanning data collected during an initial project can be re-visited to create continued value for the client.

In the spring of 2008, Midwestern Consulting was hired by the historic preservation team of JJR, LLC/HopkinsBurns Design Studio to scan the historic buildings of Fishtown, an active commercial fishing port in Leland, Michigan on the shore of Lake Michigan.  Fishtown is also a popular summer destination for vacationers to the area. 

The 2008 project was to scan the Fishtown buildings and generate a topographic survey of the site and wire-frame drawings of the buildings for the architectural team.  The image below shows the wire-frame drawings on top of the point cloud.  The Fishtown Preservation Society and the architects used the drawings to establish building locations and dimensions.

In February 2010, the Fishtown Preservation Society was awarded funding through the National Trust for Historic Preservation from the Jeffris Heartland Fund to finance a Historic Structure Report for the Fishtown buildings and related structures along the Leland River.  As part of the project, Midwestern Consulting was again hired to generate new drawings of each building including additional dimensions, detailed elevations, geometric locations, and other fine details.  The drawing below shows the north elevation of the Manitou Outfitters building in significant detail.

These tasks were easily accomplished since we already had the data.
Without the initial scan data, we would have had to travel to the site again and do more measurements.  That means more time and money spent on the project.  With the data in hand, Midwestern was able to give the historic preservation team additional accurate details of Fishtown at a fraction of the cost needed to get the new measurements.

Now you can get more detailed information – for less!

Midwestern Consulting now offers scalable .tif images (called orthophotos) behind 2D drawings of building elevations and other structures.  We do less drawing and you get more images that are comparable to a digital photo but are scalable and can be loaded into your design software model in the exact location. You will no longer have to spend time rotating, scaling or twisting an image to set it in the right place!

 The two images below illustrate this feature.  The first image shows a drawing of the north elevation of Cook Hall at the University of Michigan.  The second image shows the same elevation but with a picture of the point cloud behind it.  Click on the images below to enlarge.�

The image with the picture of the point cloud behind it delivers a great deal more detail.  You can see the brick detail and artwork of the structures themselves.  We didn’t do anymore drawing but you get lots more information about this building. 

 By including orthophotos in our deliverable, less time would be required by us and the project architect.  The architect can include these background images in their final drawings as well.

Increase the quality and completeness of your deliverable, while Saving time and money. Get more for less with Midwestern’s  scalable point cloud images.