Drone Survey
What is Drone Surveying?
Drone survey is a new technology
in the construction industry. In
drone surveying aerial data is collected cameras and downward-
facing sensors.
Basically this type of survey is used for terrain assessments and
mapping.
Drone survey is very fast compared to traditional survey techniques.
It can make very precise maps and survey points. There are some
other uses such as identify job-site errors, track work progress,
predict schedule delays, etc.
Features of Drone Mapping and
Surveying
In this type of survey, various angeles are considered to take
different photo graphs. These photo graphs is tagged with certain
coordinates.
The collected data are analyzed by using various drone mapping
software to make 3D models, 2D maps, plan, elevation drawings etc.
These drawing further post processed to get highly accurate
measurements and volumetric calculations.
The key advantage of drone survey is that it had the capability to
get highly precise data quickly without physically touching the
object.
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The two basic methods are used for drone mapping. 1st is
photogrammetry and 2nd is LiDar.
The concept of photogrammetry is used in drone survey to click HD
images. These high-resolution images can be analysed to make 3D
models and 2D maps. Various software are used to create 3D
models.
The main work of LiDAR in drone surveying is that it sends pulses of
light to the earth’s surface to detect small objects during drone
mapping.
Multicolored drone mapping is used for photogrammetry.
Multispectral sensors are used for LiDAR to collect the aerial data.
Different types of maps are obtained such as orthomosaic maps,
Digital Surface Model (DSM), Digital Terrain Model (DTM), and
contour line maps.
GCPs, PPK, and RTK in Drone
Surveying
For accurate drone survey, it is very important to locate the position
of drone in correct way. The correct drone position can be obtained
by using Control Points (GCPs), Real-Time Kinematic Survey (RTK),
or Post Processing Kinematic (PPK) survey.
Ground Control Points are already available on the surface of earth.
These ground control points works as a reference point. Ground
control points have the huge ability to return very precise data to
drone about location and traveled distance between two points. As
we knows that, laying ground control points is time consuming and
requires labor, vehicles, equipment, and lots of paperwork,
techniques like PPK and RTK have been developed.
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RTK is very important for drone survey. It corrects GPS data in which
the location data of the drone is provided real-time corrections
during the drone surveying and image capturing process.
PPK also a GPS correction technique that modify the location data
of the drone only after the complete survey data is collected and
uploaded. It is performed post the site work.
Uses of Drone Survey
Drone survey is normally used where aerial data is required. Here
are some uses of drone survey in the field of construction.
Land surveying
Precise measurements
Land management and development
Volumetric measurements
Slope monitoring
Urban planning
We will discuss about these use cases in detail.
1. Land Surveying/Cartography
Drone surveying creates HD orthomosaic maps and 3D models of
areas to create accurate cadastral maps.
2. Land Management and Development
Drone survey is very useful in land management and land
development. The high-resolution images simplify topographic
surveys for land management and planning.
The accurate measurements can be taken by using these images.
This data is very handful for pre-construction work. 2D drawings can
be made by using CAD and 3D models by using BIM software.
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3. Precise Measurements
It is very important to get the correct measurement of the land.
Drone survey can provide highly-accurate distance and surface
measurements using the high-resolution orthomosaic photos.
4. Volumetric Measurements
Pictures obtained from drone survey can be used to creta 3D model.
This 3D model is used to get volumetric calculations of an object.
5. Slope Monitoring
Slope monitoring can be done via drone survey. The high-resolution
images provides the data of an earth slope. Landslides can be
prevented by using drone survey.
6. Urban Planning
Drone survey provides the data of a congested urban area into a
simplified 2D map and 3D models. Social and environmental
conditions can be study easily. This makes urban planning very easy.
