Building data acquisition and seismic performance evaluation of traditional Thai water tower using 3D laser scanning

Abstract 3D laser scanning technology is one of the current technologies for developing sustainable and green cities. High-density point cloud data acquired by a 3D laser scanner can generate a 3D model that accurately describes the current shape and size of the building. This article aims to introduce the application of 3D laser scanning technology in the seismic assessment of a reinforced concrete water tower. In Bangkok, there is a traditional 35.4-meter-high reinforced concrete water tower structure. Due to years of disrepair, some cracks have appeared in the concrete on the surface of the water tower, and parts of the concrete surface have occasionally fallen off. If an earthquake disaster occurs, it will seriously damage the lives and property safety of community residents. In order to improve the safety and reliability of the water tower structure, the management agency decided to evaluate the material condition and seismic performance of the water tower. In January 2023, the author’s team conducted a number of material condition and bearing capacity tests on the water tower structure. In March 2023, the team used three-dimensional laser scanning technology to obtain point cloud data of the water tower structure, established a SAP2000 finite element model, and proposed a structural Modeling and seismic analysis method based on 3D laser scanning technology. The structure was subjected to static analysis under constant load, modal response spectrum analysis, time history analysis, and pushover analysis under seismic vibration. The results show that the water tower structure is in normal working condition under constant load and can continue to be used. However, when simulating earthquake vibrations to analyze the structure, some of the main components cannot meet the seismic requirements. When using the pushover method to evaluate the overall pushover resistance of the water tower, it was found that the overall pushover resistance of the structure could meet the specification requirements. Finally, the author puts forward guiding suggestions for structural reinforcement based on the results of the analysis.