Indoor Multi-Sensor Acquisition System for Projects on Energy Renovation of Buildings

Abstract

Energy rehabilitation actions in buildings have become a great economic opportunity for the construction sector. They also constitute a strategic goal in the European Union (EU), given the energy dependence and the compromises with climate change of its member states. About 75% of existing buildings in the EU were built when energy efficiency codes had not been developed. Approximately 75% to 90% of those standing buildings are expected to remain in use in 2050. Significant advances have been achieved in energy analysis, simulation tools, and computer fluid dynamics for building energy evaluation. However, the gap between predictions and real savings might still be improved. Geomatics and computer science disciplines can really help in modelling, inspection, and diagnosis procedures. This paper presents a multi-sensor acquisition system capable of automatically and simultaneously capturing the three-dimensional geometric information, thermographic, optical, and panoramic images, ambient temperature map, relative humidity map, and light level map. The system integrates a navigation system based on a Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) approach that allows georeferencing every data to its position in the building. The described equipment optimizes the energy inspection and diagnosis steps and facilitates the energy modelling of the building.

Multidisciplinary Energy Assessment of Tertiary Buildings: Automated Geomatic Inspection, Building Information Modeling Reconstruction and Building Performance Simulation

“…Further, a point-to-point comparison was performed. The mean of distances between points is 0.0953 m, and the standard deviation 0.0928 m. Details are provided in [64]. Table 2.…”

“…IMAS operates Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) algorithms to perform self-localization in real time in GNSS-denied environments. It is equipped with laser sensors for 3D modeling, thermographic and optical cameras, and comfort sensors, as it is described in [64]. They all are synchronously triggered by the main central computer, and the output data (images, laser profiles, temperature and humidity values) are time-stamped.…”

“…The verification of the 3D-models obtained using the IMAS robot is described in Armesto et al [64]. It was conducted by comparison with the point cloud obtained by a terrestrial laser scanning system (TLS).…”

“…In order to obtain the necessary information regarding the 3D geometry of the partitions and their characteristics, as well as some other useful information for a proper energy modeling, an onsite data collection was carried out with the IMAS [64]. The wheeled robot was driven by an operator along the building.…”

“…Table 2. Quality evaluation of the IMAS 3D model through comparison with a TLS FARO Focus3D [64]. The specifications of the construction materials of the building under study and administrative data (date of construction, occupancy profile, type of use), were extracted from the EIF original project document.…”