Project Manager Insight: “Structural weakness, rotting floors, narrow staircases and poor lighting could make some areas of this historic water tower difficult to document. A quality site plan and 3D laser scanning delivered highly accurate data for this client.” John McGuire, Project Manager.

Client Testimonial: “I appreciate all your efforts.” Logan M., PE, President | Principal, Engineer & Architect Firm

Location: Caruthersville, Missouri

Task: TruePoint provided 3D scanning services for a historic water tower in Caruthersville, Missouri. Built in 1902, it is one of only three in the nation with the appearance of a lighthouse due to the water tank setting on top of a solid masonry stand structure. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is in serious need of restoration and preservation. TruePoint’s task for this project was to 3D laser scan the interior and exterior of the vertical water tower and provide the client with current as-is conditions of the historic building.

Challenge: 3D mapping this historical site would prove to be difficult. The wood of the stairs and the flooring were in bad shape due to rot. The structural weakness, rotting floors, narrow staircases and poor lighting made some areas difficult to document, inaccessible and dangerous. Our client is an engineering/architect consultant hired to inspect and study the structure and recommend work to be done. In order to accomplish their goal to restore the tower, they needed an accurate depiction of the tower to assess current conditions and doing so using manual methods was too dangerous and next to impossible.

Solutions: 3D laser scanners are mounted on a tripod, capturing rich data from a safe distance. TruePoint developed a quality site plan to efficiently and accurately document this historic site in 24 laser scans. Using the Leica P40 ScanStation, TruePoint provided the client accurate documentation on the state of the building’s structure.

Deliverable: Laser scanning delivers dense data with high accuracy, high speed and flexibility in 3D digital format. For this client, TruePoint delivered a colorized point cloud and TruView/JetStream files via an online hosting platform.

Added Value: TruePoint has extensive experience 3D laser scanning historical buildings, statues and archaeological sites for conservation, preservation, restoration and protection. TruePoint provides its clients with important as-built data in areas with poor accessibility that might otherwise never be able to be properly measured and documented.

For 3D laser scanning services in Missouri, call 314-704-2829 or email stlouis@truepointscanning.com.