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Thanks to the high precision, acute mobility, phenomenal speed and relatively low cost of data capture achievable, the use of drones have brought about numerous unexpected and previously unavailable benefits. The Effective drone uses for the project include:
Reinventing Surveying
We use a photogrammetry process in ContextCapture which converts hundreds of overlapping images captured by drones to a reality mesh of the site to develop a digital twin. As the models are accurate and reliable, they can be used to quickly measure distances, areas and volumes, saving enormous amounts of effort for surveyors and engineers.
Integrating with BIM
Our original intent to survey sites by drones was to create a reference model for review and validation with BIM design data. The drone survey models provide realistic accurate digital representation of each site which enhances communication across the project (between sites, project offices, consultants and client). We successfully developed a workflow which integrates 3D photorealistic meshes into our federated BIM design models, greatly enhancing constructability and design review processes. The integration of drone models with BIM have dramatically enhanced our designer’s understanding of site constraints and context.
Leveraging GIS to improve access to Digital Twins
Photographs from the drone surveys are processed to generate accurate ortho-mosaic images for mapping and GIS applications. We identified an opportunity to grant all project members quick and convenient access to our site survey models via our project GIS platform. This has strengthened and informed our decision-making processes by visualising these sites in their localities and having a virtual bird’s eye view over them, giving us context and a sense of proportionality.
People based overseas are able to review site activities virtually and identify potential construction or temporary works related issues in a timely manner via these systems. Delivering the ContextCapture models online using the GIS platform has democratized access to site surveys and enabled our teams to have regular visibility of our sites without the need for extensive site visits.
Drone surveys have become an integral component of our site surveying, data collection and progress reporting. The photogrammetrically derived meshes enable us to keep our client and stakeholders informed in meaningful ways which were previously impossible without drones.
The following key points should always be considered when using drones for data collection;
+ Each flight must be pre-planned to ensure successful image & data capture for ortho-mosaics, photogrammetry reality meshes and for progress reporting.
+ All drone flight operations shall be pre-approved and sanctioned by JUPEM and CAAM, the regulatory agencies for Malaysia. Prior to each flight, the drone pilot notifies the local air traffic controllers using the permit NOTAM reference.
+ Each flight should be controlled using drone operations planning software to set the flight path, elevation and speed of the drone.
+ Drones typically operate between 70m and 100m above the site.
+ A dedicated take-off & landing zone must be clearly marked and located at least 30m away from any active working areas.
+ During flight operations, a spotter must monitor the drone, the surrounding air space and maintain radio comm’s with the pilot and site safety manager at all times.
+ Ground Control Points are essential to accurately position the data collected by the drones in relation to the project grids and local or national coordinate system.
+ Ortho photos created from the drone surveys can be used in GIS to accurately plot construction activities on site.
+ Reality meshes derived from photogrammetry enable site progress reporting and can also be analyzed and reviewed over the project cycle for progress monitoring.
+ A reality model of each site can be compared to the design BIM data to review actual progress compared to planned works.
+ The survey model can be compared to the BIM system. In this example the structural walls which were cast are checked for alignment.
+ Measurement. The survey models are accurate enough for distance measurement which saves the engineers time. The 3D surface models can be used to quickly measure cut & fill volumes and these are more accurate and faster than traditional 2D processes.
