Structure scanning with the RIEGL VZ-600i

Building & Structure Scanning

Scanning Large Structures with RIEGL: Mapping Buildings From Stadiums to Nuclear Facilities

When it comes to building projection mapping and monitoring large, complex structures like stadiums, power stations, bridges, and shopping centers, having the right terrestrial laser scanning technology is critical.

RIEGL’s terrestrial laser scanners - including the popular VZ-600i and VZ-2000i models - are redefining what’s possible in 3D building mapping, enabling structural engineers, surveyors, and developers to digitise the built environment faster, more efficiently, and with greater accuracy.

Bridge scanning with a long range RIEGL scanner

The Limits of Photogrammetry in Structural Analysis

While photogrammetry is suited for texture-rich façades and surfaces, it relies on indirect triangulation from imagery, so can be hindered by:

Lack of depth certainty on smooth, reflective, or occluded surfaces
High reliance on ambient light or controlled environments
Inconsistent scaling and measurement across large sites.

In contrast, Terrestrial LiDAR excels at:

Capturing the full geometry of large buildings and infrastructure
Tracking structural change over time (e.g., roof deflection, concrete shifting, joint movement, floor flatness)
Enabling large scale, geometrically accurate redevelopment and restoration planning
Producing actionable data for expansion, maintenance, and structural validation.

Whether it's scanning the floodlight rigging above a stadium or the substructure of a long-span bridge, RIEGL’s scanners can handle both the macro-scale capture and small detail registration with speed and clarity.

Stadium Scanning and survey with a RIEGL VZ-600i

Why Choose RIEGL for Large Building Mapping?

Survey and engineering teams use RIEGL for large-scale as-built scanning and building projection mapping not just for the quality of data, but for the operational edge it brings on-site.

Full-Waveform Digitisation and Echo Analysis

RIEGL's echo digitisation and waveform processing allow each pulse to be analysed for multiple return signals, even from semi-transparent or mixed-material targets. This allows it to:

Scan through scaffolding nets or tree canopies
Detect layers and damages within walls (surfaces changes identifiable by localised changes in waveform response)
Separate near-surface clutter from structural features.

This is essential for applications such as change detection, structural health monitoring, and heritage conservation, where material and depth differentiation are critical.

High-Speed, High-Precision Performance

RIEGL's two flagship scanners provide high-precision performance when scanning large buildings:

VZ‑600i: Up to 2.2 MHz PRR, 500,000 meas/sec, and capture rates of up to 60 scan positions/hour
VZ‑2000i: Scanning range up to 2,500 m, with 5 mm accuracy and 3 mm precision at long distances.

Both units employ Multi-Time-Around (MTA) capability for managing long-range ambiguity and maintaining absolute accuracy without compromising speed or density.

Intelligent, Automated Onboard Processing

RIEGL’s integrated processing architecture allows for:

Real-time on-board registration: Automatic alignment and georeferencing during capture
Pose estimation: Done via internal GNSS, IMU, and orientation sensors
Image-overlay and hybrid visualisation: Mixes laser scans with RGB imagery to provide photorealistic 3D models.

This reduces field-to-office workflows dramatically, enabling high-accuracy outputs with smaller field teams.

Long-Range Adaptability and Remote Control

Adaptive pulse control: Manages pulse energy dynamically for high point density over long ranges (e.g., 1,000 m+)
Full remote access: Control scanners through Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, or Ethernet making it perfect for hazardous or elevated environments
Kinematic support: Works with vehicle or robot integration using ROS, GNSS/INS coupling, or RIEGL’s VMR system.

VZ-600i & VZ-2000i: Flexible Tools for Structural Surveying

When it comes to building projection mapping and monitoring large, complex structures like stadiums, power stations, bridges, and shopping centres, having the right terrestrial laser scanning technology is critical.

VZ-600i

High-speed data capture: Capture up to 60 scan positions per hour and millions of points per second, reducing large-scale site documentation from weeks to just a few days

All-terrain, long-range scanning: Perfect for hard-to-reach environments like cliffs, bridges, and shorelines, with a 1,000m range and GNSS-supported outdoor precision

Adaptive pulse control: Adjustable pulse rates deliver long-range coverage without degrading point density, maintaining accuracy even at 500m+

Micro-level detail, macro-scale modelling: From capturing intricate structural elements (like stadium steel frame details or pipework) to entire industrial facilities, produce a seamless, high-resolution 3D model.

Read the full VZ-600i specifications.

VZ-2000i

High-Speed, High-Precision Scanning: Capture up to 500,000 measurements/sec with a 1.2 MHz pulse rate, delivering 5 mm accuracy at ranges up to 2,500 m

Advanced Data Processing: Features real-time geo-referencing, automatic on-board registration, and support for multiple target detection and optional waveform data output, streamlining complex workflows

Comprehensive Coverage: A wide 100° × 360° field of view enables efficient site scanning with minimal setup changes, while simultaneous image and scan capture enhances 3D visualisation

Integrated Positioning & Motion Tracking: Built-in GNSS, IMU, and orientation sensors ensure accurate pose estimation and support for kinematic data acquisition

Remote Connectivity & Control: Operate seamlessly via Wi-Fi, 3G/4G LTE, and remote control for flexible, cloud-connected deployment in dynamic field environments.

Read the full VZ-2000i specifications.

RIEGL in Practice: Real-World Structural Scenarios

RIEGL scanners are not just tools for visualising structures, they help engineers to make decisions that shape design, safety, and long-term maintenance.

Ribblehead Viaduct: Using RIEGL’s VZ-400, surveyors conducted a high-resolution, low-impact survey of the Ribblehead Viaduct, capturing forensic detail of the entire structure. Using reflectance mode and waveform data in RiSCAN PRO, engineers identified damp zones critical to structural integrity.

Ribblehead Viaduct for RIEGL Laser Scanning

Building the Future with Sub-Millimetre Data

Concrete rings of a tunnel scanned by a RIEGL VZ-600i Laser Scanner

Whether you're planning structural upgrades, managing multi-year maintenance, or documenting national assets for compliance, RIEGL’s scanners deliver:

Actionable 3D models enriched with waveforms, imagery, and pose metadata
Fast turnarounds via automated field-to-office workflows
System interoperability with BIM platforms, structural analysis tools, and GIS systems.

Built for performance, trusted for precision, RIEGL is the benchmark for digitising the built world with speed and confidence.

Explore the full capabilities of the VZ Series.