LiDAR Point Cloud Data Combined Structural Analysis Based on Strong Form Meshless Method Using Essential Boundary Condition Capturing

This study proposes a novel hybrid simulation technique for analyzing structural deformation and stress using light detection and ranging (LiDAR)-scanned point cloud data (PCD) and polynomial regression processing. The method estimates the edge and corner points of the deformed structure from the PCD. It transforms into a Dirichlet boundary condition for the numerical simulation using the particle difference method (PDM), which utilizes nodes only based on the strong formulation, and it is advantageous for handling essential boundaries and nodal rearrangement, including node generation and deletion between analysis steps. Unlike previous studies, which relied on digital images with attached targets, this research uses PCD acquired through LiDAR scanning during the loading process without any target. Essential boundary condition implementation naturally builds a boundary value problem for the PDM simulation. The developed hybrid simulation technique was validated through an elastic beam problem and a three-point bending test on a rubber beam. The results were compared with those of ANSYS analysis, showing that the technique accurately approximates the deformed edge shape leading to accurate stress calculations. The accuracy improved when using a linear strain model and increasing the number of PDM model nodes. Additionally, the error that occurred during PCD processing and edge point extraction was affected by the order of polynomial regression equation. The simulation technique offers advantages in cases where linking numerical analysis with digital images is challenging and when direct mechanical gauge measurement is difficult. In addition, it has potential applications in structural health monitoring and smart construction involving machine leading techniques.