The Aalto University project is an experiment in using 3D visualisation in underground construction.

What kind of problem is the project trying to solve?

The objective of the project is to improve the efficiency of the digital utilisation of construction industry measurements in underground construction and to help engineers conceptualise all the measured information.

Objective: Virtual model of a rock tunnel 

The main objective of the project is to produce a model of a rock tunnel that shows the rock surface, rock quality measurements, extensions of the measurements and projected future rock spaces. The experiment utilises the Structure from Motion method created in the “Kallion rakojen mekaaniset ominaisuudet” (Mechanical properties of rock clefts) research project for creating a 3D model of the spaces and determining the roughness, direction and inclination of the surface.

The virtual model provides the user with a comprehensive overview of the measurement data that covers the whole tunnel. In particular, the project will test how the data created in the Mining Education and Virtual Underground Rock Laboratory (MIEDU) research project can be used in supporting construction projects. The best practices identified in the MIEDU project will be passed on to the design professionals and constructors.

What is done in this project?

Carrying out the measurements of a rock space by using photogrammetry and visualising the measurement results in 3D by using virtual reality is tested in the project. The most common factors that describe the quality of the rock mass, as well as their actual location and bearing in the space, can be determined automatically on the high resolution surface. The method to be used is a virtual reality model that presents the rock surface, measurements and projected rock spaces.

What are the expected results of the experiment?

The main objective of the project is to produce a publicly available virtual example of a rock tunnel. The result is a surface model with a resolution of 4 pts per square millimetre, resulting in the definition of under 0.5 mm. The solution will boost the digital utilisation of measurements in the construction industry and will help designers to conceptualise all of the measurement data. 

Who benefits?

The engineers working on rock construction projects benefit from the experiment.