Industrial Roof Renovation and Solar Power Plant Projects with Laser Scanning

Industrial facilities and wide-span structures inevitably undergo deformation over time due to environmental factors and load distribution. When it comes to renovating an existing roof, replacing the cladding, or installing a Solar Power Plant (PV), projects on paper often do not reflect the reality on site.

As KG Mühendislik, in this technical article, we examine the critical role of 3D Laser Scanning technology in roof projects under the headings of Renovation, New Manufacturing, and Solar Power Plant Integration.

1. "Surface Analysis" in Roof Renovation and Cladding Replacement

Before replacing the cladding (sandwich panel, standing seam, etc.) of an existing roof, it is mandatory to know the geometric health of the underlying structural system. Deflections (sagging) occurring in purlins and rafters can make the installation of the new cladding impossible.

At this point where traditional measurement methods fall short, we provide the following with laser scanning technology:

• Deformation Maps: We scan the roof surface with millions of points and report the depressions and elevations on the surface with color-coded analysis maps.

• Leveling Optimization: We calculate the exact amount of filling (shimming) required for the new cladding to sit on a straight line, down to the millimeter.

This method ensured error-free material ordering and shortened installation times in our challenging projects like TBC Bank in Georgia and Lajthiza in Albania.

2. New Roof Systems and Steel Manufacturing

If a steel roof system is to be built from scratch on an existing reinforced concrete structure, "As-Built" data is of vital importance. Axis deviations and elevation differences in reinforced concrete columns can cause factory-produced steel trusses not to fit in place.

By creating a digital twin (BIM Model) of the existing structure with laser scanning:

• We model the new steel construction based on actual field data.

• We ensure that steel elements are produced in the factory with "zero error."

• We offer virtual assembly by eliminating cutting and drilling operations on site.

3. Efficiency and Statics in Solar Power Plant (PV) Projects

Rooftop Solar Power Plant installations are not just about arranging panels, but a process of static and energetic optimization. As KG Mühendislik, we use laser scanning in PV projects for two main purposes:

• Shadow Analysis and Efficiency: We simulate the shadows created by chimneys, ventilation units, and environmental factors on the roof in 3D. In this way, we place the panels to get maximum efficiency and prevent investment in "dead zones."

• Mounting Compatibility: The panel mounting rails must fit perfectly into the existing roof ribs. With laser measurements, we determine the locations of mounting holes without errors and minimize waterproofing risks.

Conclusion

Interventions on industrial roofs are high-cost and risky operations. Whether you are renewing your roof cladding or investing in a Solar Power Plant; the success of the project depends on the accuracy of the base data.

KG Mühendislik, with its international experience and high-precision laser scanning technology, reveals the true geometry of your roofs and prevents surprise costs.