When Conventional Field Surveys Are Not Feasible

Conventional Field Surveys

Project Intro

https://youtu.be/uQCTInCGO3A

It is no secret that slopes fail.  Whether it is along a roadway, overtop a pipeline, on the side of a well pad, or, in this case study, adjacent to a water intake structure along a river, slopes fail and need to be stabilized.  The geotechnical engineering process to remediate these slips and slides often starts an existing-condition topographic survey.  These surveys will typically include a field survey of the affected area followed by a CAD drawing deliverable that contains the existing contours, spot elevations, affected structures, and cross-sections so the engineer can analyze the slope and determine the best method to fix it and prevent future slips, in a cost-effective and safe manner.

At times, conventional field surveys of these unstable slopes are not safe or simply inaccessible due to site conditions.  In this case study, we examine how Eye-bot Aerial Solutions (Eye-bot) deployed their advanced data acquisition technologies to prepare an existing-condition topographic survey CAD deliverable with survey-grade accuracy of a failed embankment that had these exact characteristics (unsafe, inaccessible).

Opportunity

Eye-bot was contracted to provide the geotechnical engineers of an industry-leading oil and gas client with an existing-condition topographic and location survey along a failed embankment adjacent to, and either side of, their river Water Intake structure.  Primarily due to weather, erosion, and lack of vegetation, parts of the slopes had washed down, slipped, and failed to beyond vertical, potentially threatening the integrity of the concrete foundations of the intake structure.  Access to the areas of interest on parts of the slope to perform a conventional survey conventionally was not only unsafe, but impossible without costly man-lifts, ropes, and time.

Starting with a proper photogrammetric control survey and setting Ground Control Point targets (GCP’s) and measuring a series of check points (CP’s) on easily accessible hard surfaces, Eye-bot deployed its years of high-resolution UAS data collection experience to photogrammetrically capture the affected areas of the embankments in about a half a day!

For the final deliverables to the engineers, Eye-bot leveraged their advanced UAS data acquisition and processing methods to create a 3D Reality Model and CAD file with contours.  

Solution

The processed GCP data was accurate to an RMSE of: 

X: 0.004 (ft) Y: 0.008 (ft) Z: 0.004 (ft)

The RMSE of the CP’s Eye-bot measured in the field compared to the processed data was:

X: 0.000 (ft) Y: 0.016 (ft) Z: 0.019 (ft)

This provided our licensed surveyor, and the engineers, full confidence in our survey.

From the processed information, Eye-bot’s CAD team went to work extracting the top of banks, the toe of slopes, spot elevations, footers, concrete, and breaklines to create a CAD drawing and existing condition surface of the slopes.  From there, the engineers could create the cross-sections to conduct their analysis and develop the best solution to stabilize the slope.

An added benefit of Eye-bot’s process is the ability to provide a high-resolution 3D visual model of the slope conditions.  In this model, horizontal and vertical measurements can be made visually from any point in 3D enhancing the traditional CAD deliverable of contours and spot elevations alone.

“The survey was very quick compared with conventional methods.  The accuracy of the survey is acceptable.  The cost is probably a lot less when compared with LiDAR survey.”  


— Senior Geotechnical Specialist

Conclusion

Using a combination of industry-leading advanced data acquisition tools, Eye-bot was able to provide the engineers with not only an accurate traditional CAD file of the topographic survey but also the 3D visual model of the areas of interest.  This was delivered in a fraction of the time and at a portion of the cost compared to conventional survey methods that would have required multiple site visits, and in this case, unsafe and nearly impossible to access.

To learn more about this success story, and ContextCapture, visit the Virtuosity Blog here.

Related Posts

3D Drone Visualization – Environmental Case Study

3D Drone Visualization – Environmental Case Study

PROJECT OVERVIEW AND CHALLENGE  This wetland environmental remediation project is an ongoing, 400+ acre environmental remediation effort along a major navigational channel in the United States. This project was a collaboration between Eye-bot and Sovereign...

read more
Confined Space Inspections, What’s the Best Approach?

Confined Space Inspections, What’s the Best Approach?

The Safety Dilemma From 2011 to 2018, 1,030 workers died from occupational injuries involving a confined space – bls.gov Over the past few years, new applications have been introduced to safely inspect confined spaces by keeping people out of them and implementing new...

read more
Dimensional Control Used for Construction Verification

Dimensional Control Used for Construction Verification

Control even more in your next capital project build, and beyond. It’s a hot potato topic, “Who takes responsibility for the dimensional control efforts?” Moving from planning to the construction phase, budgets are tended to mindfully ahead of kickoff, which is where...

read more