Rebuilding Schools in Guam: How 3D Scanning Tech Rises from Typhoon Ruins 

Located in the West Pacific Ocean, Guam often faces threats from some of the world's most powerful tropical cyclones. In 2023, a devastating typhoon struck the island, causing severe damage to homes, schools, and public buildings. The rainwater canopies at elementary, middle, and high schools were among the worst hit. These structures are important for protecting students from Guam's frequent heavy rains. 

To make schools safe and ready for bad weather again, the local government started a recovery project in March 2025. Their goal was to rebuild the damaged canopies at ten schools across the island. To meet deadlines for reconstruction, the team decided to use 3D laser scanning technology from FJDynamics.

Creating Digital Twins in Days: Faster Response to Disaster

Each school site covers up to 33,000 square meters in area. Because of the size and the need for quick repairs, it was extremely important for the recovery team to work fast and be super precise. They knew that any mistakes or delays could make things much worse for the students and cost a lot of money.

To tackle this challenge, the team used the FJD Trion Scanner, a handheld wideband 3D LiDAR scanner powered by SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping). This powerful tool enabled them to scan three school sites every single day. Within just four days, they managed to create detailed "digital twins" for ten schools.

These digital twins were exact virtual copies, capturing every tiny detail of the damaged canopies. This included everything from the main shapes of the buildings to the exact spots of the canopies and how their supports were built. With these precise digital models, the team could plan repairs virtually before actual construction started.

Modeling with Precision: From Scan to Delivery

After scanning, the data was imported into FJD Trion Model, a purpose-built software platform optimized for CAD drawing, structural modeling, and video annotation. Engineers and designers used these 3D models to create new canopy systems that fit each school perfectly.

The whole process, from scanning to making CAD designs, was not only fast but also super accurate. Every part of the new canopies was checked digitally before being built. This made sure they would fit exactly when sent to Guam for installation.

As one team member shared, "Using wideband 3D scanning, we created digital twins of the schools. We design with this data and build modular canopies with precision. In July, they'll be installed in Guam, so students will never have to stand in the rain again."

What Makes FJD Trion Scanner Stand Out?

The FJD Trion Scanner is built for tough situations, like after a disaster. In these times, the team need tools that are quick to set up, capture information accurately, and are easy to use when things are stressful. The FJD Trion Scanner makes this possible with some key features:

• Handheld & Mobile: Just scan while walking, without the need for a heavy tripod.
• Wideband SLAM: High accuracy all the way, indoors or outdoors, even in GPS-denied environments.
• Real-Time Preview: Check quality while scanning on-site to avoid rework.
• Easy Output: Export compatible formats for CAD, BIM, and other programs.

Paired with FJD Trion Model software, FJD Trion Scanner enables a complete workflow. The software lets you do a lot after hardware scanning, like drawing, modeling, mesh creation, and video overlay. This makes it a full solution for anyone working in design, construction, or inspections, giving you everything you need from start to finish.

Rebuilding with Data: A Blueprint for Global Resilience

The school recovery project in Guam is a great example of how technology is speeding up recovery after disasters. As bad weather happens more often around the world, using 3D scanning to plan construction digitally is changing how we respond.

Whether it's villages hit by earthquakes or cities damaged by floods, being able to scan, create models, and rebuild in days (not months) will reshape the future of construction, education, and public safety. The FJD Trion Scanner is leading this change. It combines powerful scanners with smart software to help rebuild faster, smarter, and stronger.    

Learn more: FJD Trion Scanner 

Contact FJDynamics: Book a Demo