Fill those O2 tanks Re/Cappers, we’ve got the skinny dip on a study that may just throw a life vest to coral reefs - all thanks to reality capture.
It’s a promising leap by some marine biologists with a specific goal pertaining to “bleaching.” But broadly speaking, coral reef stewardship via photogrammetry and 3D modeling is not new.
The Hydrous is a non-profit that has employed the tools, along with XR and 3D printing, for a decade. Their models have enriched their own reef research, and that of many partners and educational institutions.
Extended reality is but one tool in the kit, serving The Hydrous’ ultimate goal of connecting 10 million learners to the ocean by 2030. Image credit The Hydrous
Their international coral expeditions include the Great Barrier Reef, Palau, Guam, the Maldives, and many more. These involve scientists, divers, and local partners, focusing on data collection using GPS, photogrammetry, and drones.
And get this, their ocean-faring capture craze is on tour! Chief Scientist Dr. Erika Woolsey has partnered with National Geographic Live to share with us the majesty - and significance - of the Great Barrier Reef.
Reefer madness? More like reefer gladness. Thanks Hydrous, and thanks to the marine biologists comin’ right up.
Coral Reef and The Hydrous 101
Underwater photogrammetry guide
What’s Cappenin’ This Week: Reality capture might make coral bleaching start ceasing, an Indian digital twin has a ripple effect, LiDAR lends a hand to trucks too tall, architecture software gets ranked, and an Italian Insta-famous AEC Error of the Week!
Mini ‘Cappenins: Philadelphia women dominate construction, digital twins in Unreal Engine 5, AI in BIM, autonomous crop protection aircraft, arresting drones, and an RCN pod on BIM, 360° cameras, and constant learning.
Last week on Digital Twin Consortium peeps tinkering with AI, LiDAR locating a Maya mystery, drones letting first responders take a coffee break, AEC software getting visionary, and an AEC Error of the Week on a skinny bridge that left a wide mark on engineering.
Coral reefs are enduring an epidemic of “bleaching,” in which their algae is expelled due to heat stress, threatening the coral and causing a signature depletion of color.
The operative word here is “threatening.” They’re not always destroyed outright, and some reefs are more resilient than others, sometimes substantially. It is a bona fide mystery…
…that reality capture may help solve.
A tale of two temperatures, and one bummer. Image credit XL Catlin Seaview Survey
By way of photogrammetry and 3D modeling, a new study led by University of California San Diego and Arizona State University marine biologists is providing an unprecedented glimpse into coral bleaching. It’s an enthralling Maui saga, spanning seven years and nearly 2,000 coral colonies. Dive in below.
While India has history ad infinitum, it’s presented a very modern problem - much of it is going missing or simply losing the war of time.
One example that was on the precipice of such a fate was the Qutub Shahi Tombs, the resting places of royalty dating back to the early 1500s. What saved it?
In two words, Hexagon AB. And dozens of the monuments might get lifeline as a result.
Mohammad Quli Qutb Shah’s tomb. Image credit Hexagon via PBC Today
With sights set on an endgame of novel VR experiences and official UNESCO recognition, Hexagon crafted a digital twin of the site’s most notable structure - the tomb of Mohammad Quli Qutb Shah, founder of Hyderabad (a current state capital) in southern India.
Read the full account below for the captivating processes, unique challenges, what the local government thinks, and why this could be so consequential for Indian history and culture.
We know that, according to the NHTSA, the U.S. alone sees approximately 15,000 annual bridge impacts from trucks.
We also know that due to a recent government initiative, New South Wales has had it, well, up to here with them.
Spoiler alert - she did not turn. Image credit TheDrive
And why wouldn’t they, given the massive time and resource costs that accompany frequent overheight incidents? After a trial involving four separate bodies, the NSW government will combine LiDAR captures of trucks with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) software to give drivers real-time height data. Click below for a small story with potentially massive implications.
It’s been a minute since the Re/Cap featured some good ol’ exhaustive rankings, so techradar’s recent publication was manna from heaven; they didn't dive into architecture software rankings, they torpedoed into them. And as always, they relentlessly test before doing so.
Architects and designers know that choosing software can be a skyscraper of stress.Image credit Built In
Here are the “Best of” categories you can imbibe, each containing specs, reasons to buy, and reasons to avoid:
The Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy. Talk about a foundational AECEotW. Image credit Britannica
Ah, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the architectural equivalent of a tourist trying to stand upright after one too many limoncellos.
This iconic Italian landmark has been leaning into its fame for centuries, but it wasn't always meant to be the world's most famous architectural blooper.
The Wobbly Beginnings
Construction began in 1173, and by the time the builders reached the second floor, it was clear that Pisa's marshy land wasn't ideal for a towering bell tower. The shallow three-meter foundations and the soft, unstable subsoil were a recipe for disaster. Yet, in true medieval fashion, the builders pressed on, creating a structure that leaned more than a curious tourist peering over the edge.
A Century-Long Pause
War, financial woes, and other “life-in-the-12th-century” moments halted construction multiple times over the next 200 years. Ironically, these delays allowed the soil to settle, likely preventing an early collapse. When construction resumed, engineers tried to compensate for the tilt by making the upper floors taller on one side, resulting in a charming curve that would make any modern architect cringe.
The Tilt Intensifies
By the 20th century, the tower was tilting at a precarious 5.5 degrees, prompting fears of an impending collapse. Attempts to stabilize the tower were made, some more successful than others. Engineers added lead weights, installed steel cables, and even removed soil from beneath the higher side to try and coax the tower back to a safer angle.
The Modern Fix
In the 1990s, a team of international experts led by British engineer John Burland embarked on a decade-long mission to save the tower from its own folly. Using a method called soil extraction, they drilled beneath the north side and removed soil in a controlled manner, allowing the tower to gradually straighten by 38 centimeters. By 2001, the tower was declared stable and reopened to the public, with engineers predicting it would remain upright for at least another 200 years.
If only medieval builders had more reality capture and less plague, Burland could have remained on the couch!
Soil remains a reliable foe in AEC, so grasping reality capture’s potential to thwart it is invaluable. Let’s analyze it through the prism of Pisa.
Lessons of the Leanin’
The Leaning Tower of Pisa stands today not just as a testament to medieval engineering, but as a reminder of the importance of solid foundations—literally and figuratively. Thanks to modern engineering marvels, the tower's future is secure, but let's hope future projects learn from Pisa's past. After all, soil is still soil, volatile as all get out. And in the world of construction, it's always better to stand tall than to lean into infamy.
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