International Journal of Civil & Structural Engineering
Author(s) : Elena Castillo López, FELIPE PINA GARCIA, JULIO MANUEL DE LUIS RUIZ, RAúL PEREDA GARCÃADF, RUBEN PEREZ ALVAREZ
This research aims to establish the differences that are produced when calculating the volume of the excavation of a tunnel by means of equidistant cross sections obtained from a 3D model, and the 3D model itself, which was obtained from laser scanner data. The purpose of this research intends to contrast numerically a methodology that has been traditionally applied (cross-sections), and a more recent one which is supported by the use of powerful calculation algorithms that are appropriate for 3D models. All this research is applied to a tunnel that is used as spillway of a large dam that serves to regulate the water of a hydraulic facility. The results of this work justify in a quantitative way that, compared to the modern approach, the classical methodology produces deviations that can reach the 10% of the total volume of the excavation, which implies very high expenses, given the costs of this kind of work.