What Happened to the Arch at Seuss Landing?
December 21, 2021, four days before Christmas, a portion of the archway at the entrance of Seuss Landing at Universal Studios Orlando, Florida collapsed. The archway partially collapsed during the day and was removed later that evening. Some said the Grinch was to blame. Or, simply that Seuss Landing at the Islands of Adventure theme park is showing visible signs of aging. With the overhead portion of the arch removed, the tops of the structures that stand at the entrance are exposed and disconnected.
Universal Studios is planning a construction project to repair the archway. Bungalow Scenic Studios, a custom fabrication facility in Orlando, Florida is managing the design, fabrication, delivery, and installation of the new archway.
It was imperative that exact as-built conditions were captured to prefabricate and support the new archway. GPRS was hired to 3D laser scan the entrance of Seuss Landing, capturing precise existing conditions of the entryway and the remaining archway pieces that had not been removed. Concrete scanning was completed with ground penetrating radar (GPR) to make sure the rebar spacing could support the weight of the new prefabricated archway.
What is the Value of 3D Laser Scanning Seuss Landing?
3D laser scanning provides highly accurate measurements to improve the accuracy, efficiency, and safety of prefabrication projects. GPRS Project Manager Tyler Zak 3D laser scanned the entrance of Seuss Landing, 360 degrees around the archway, and to the edge of the waterway. All scanning was completed after hours to ensure the park was closed and there was no disruption to the park guests. A Leica laser scanner captured point cloud data of the site and was used by the Mapping & Modeling Team to create a 3D mesh model of the archway.
A 3D mesh model is extremely valuable to the fabrication company. It helps to visualize ideas, develop 3D renderings, scale components to actual conditions, order materials, and manufacture the pieces. It speeds up the entire prefabrication process, expediting the design and lead time, and delivering precise parts for installation.
GPRS also delivered TruViews to Bungalow Scenic Studios. TruViews are a 3D virtual tour dataset to walkthrough the site and take basic dimensions for estimating clearances and distances. They can be used to develop conceptual sketches for design planning. TruViews are useful for those who have not traveled to the site and for those who have been to the site but need to recall specific details of a particular area.
What is the Value of Concrete Scanning Seuss Landing?
Concrete scanning was completed to identify the location and distribution of steel rebar to estimate concrete strength. Ground penetrating radar safely locates structural reinforcement within poured concrete prior to construction. GPR is non-destructive, using electromagnetic pulses with specific central frequency to scan concrete. Project Manager Tyler Zak documented the reflected waves from subsurface layers and marked the rebar on the concrete with blue painters’ tape to avoid permanent markings. The concrete imaging performed was given to the prefabrication company to confirm that the new structure could be supported. Concrete scanning ensured the safety and integrity of the project.
What Are the Challenges to Prefabricating the New Archway?
Visitors to the whimsical island of Seuss Landing discover that, true to the Dr. Seuss books, there are few straight lines in the area. For the initial Seuss Landing archway, Walter P Moore Structural Engineering Services was challenged to create curving and leaning structures with few straight elements, abstract shapes, and generally slender cross-sections. The design needed to withstand Florida’s hurricane-force winds and tropical storms. Bungalow Scenic Studios will have the same challenge when prefabricating the new archway. Every component of the fabrication project must be precisely planned and engineered to ensure structural integrity and a flawless installation.
What is a 3D Mesh Model?
A 3D mesh model can be created from a point cloud in .fbx, .stl, .obj, and .ply file formats. CAD designers use the set of x,y,z coordinates from 3D laser scanning to generate a triangulated mesh. Meshes are volumetrically accurate, high density, and high resolution. 3D mesh models are delivered in a compact, easy-to-use format, and allow users to view the object’s geometry inside a CAD environment without having to navigate a point cloud. Meshes can be used to represent scanned elements with fine, organic details such as monuments and statues, that are otherwise difficult to reproduce in CAD.
What is the Value of a 3D Mesh Model?
For this project, using a 3D mesh model helps the prefabrication company engineer the archway with precision and structural integrity, reducing construction time, labor costs, and material waste. Utilizing as-built data for project planning will ensure the durability and longevity of the archway.
“The data GPRS provides is so powerful. It is being used to custom rebuild the damaged archway, which is a work of art at Seuss Landing,” said Zak.
What is the Value of Concrete Scanning?
Scanning concrete with GPR provides a total evaluation of concrete, including detecting and mapping reinforcements, utilities, and conduit; and it can assess thickness and detect voids. This information is critical for documenting the internal structure of concrete for build out, assessing the safety of existing structures, and planning for renovation projects. Concrete should be scanned before any excavation or renovation work begins. For more information on concrete scanning, click here.
GPRS follows strict guidelines set in place by Subsurface Investigation Methodology (SIM) to achieve the most accurate results for concrete scanning. SIM is a standard operating procedure and proven training approach to determine the location of rebar, post-tension cables, voids, etc. within concrete with a very low investigation error rate. SIM is part of GPRS’ protocols that have maintained its 99.8% accuracy rate in concrete scanning on 500,000 jobs.
Who is GPRS?
GPRS Intelligently Visualizes The Built World® as the nation’s leading provider of utility locating, concrete scanning, 3D laser scanning, NASSCO-certified video (CCTV) pipe inspection, and leak detection services. Since 2001, GPRS has led the industry: providing accurate data and outstanding service to improve planning and communication and mitigate risks for clients throughout the U.S. GPRS delivers complete as-built documentation and visualization. Our team works with each client to create custom maps and models that aid in the design, planning, and execution phases of any architecture, engineering, and construction project.
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Additional Frequently Asked Questions
How does a 3D mesh help with prefabrication?
A 3D mesh acts as a digital twin, enabling designers, engineers, and architects to collaboratively develop accurate and detailed 3D models of prefabricated components and modules. These models provide a holistic view of the project, facilitating better coordination and visualization.
How is BIM used in the construction industry?
BIM helps all stakeholders involved in a construction project to communicate easily. Information is available in a virtual environment, and using cloud-based software means it's accessible from anywhere. Construction companies can work with building elements, create conceptual models, objects, and geometries, and use computational and parametric design.
What is TruView used for?
TruViews are utilized by construction professionals, designers, engineers, and architects to share point cloud data and mark-ups; take basic dimensions; estimate clearances and distances; and print and convert data.
How long does GPR scanning take?
Large areas can be easily and quickly scanned with state-of-the-art GPR units utilized by GPRS Project Managers. Our standard layout for a typical core drilling location is 2' x 2'. It usually takes about 10 minutes to scan and mark an area of this size.