Inspections using drones & handheld cameras

• Coal stockpiles – detecting hotspots to prevent coal losses due to combustion
• Concrete Infrastructure to find delamination in concrete and surface deterioration
• Electrical equipment such as distribution boards, control panels, wiring, motors and insulators
• Insulation on gasification towers at fuel production plant
• Insulation on temperature sensitive equipment
• Pipeline inspections for blockage and leakage detection
• Roof inspections – insulation, delamination and leakages
• Solar Panels, connectors, wiring, batteries, chargers and inverters
• Water seepage detection on concrete and earth dams/reservoirs
• Thermal Analysis

Classified 3D Point Cloud

A Point Cloud is generated from aerial imagery using specialized software. These points represent the external surface of various objects and each point are defined by X, Y & Z coordinates in a three-dimensional coordinate system. Points can be classified into various categories like: low-, medium- & high vegetation, ground, buildings and structures.

Point Clouds can be exported to 3D Mesh grids for use in CAD and BIM systems.

 

Digital Elevation Models

DEM are models that are generated using geo-referenced aerial Imagery analyzed and processed in specialized software. DEM can be classified in 2 categories:

• DSM (Digital Surface Model): Representing an elevation model of the earth / ground surface including objects on it.
• DTM (Digital Terrain Model): Representing an elevation model of the earth / ground surface without any object on.

These models can be exported for use in GIS and terrain modelling software. Alternatively, elevation data known as contour lines can be exported for use in BIM, CAD and GIS software.

GIS Maps

GIS (Geographic Information Systems) is a remarkable tool used for calculations, estimates and reports. We use aerial imagery and data made available to display results in an understandable user-friendly way. Types of GIS maps that can be produced:

• Infrastructure maps
• Land use maps
• Orthophotos
  • Orthophotos are traditionally obtained from geo-referenced satellite imagery. These image sets might be a few years old and do not show current conditions of the project area. By using a drone and Image processing software, we can supply a clear and up to date orthophoto of the area.
• Topographical maps

 

Volumetric Calculations

Volumetric calculations are done making use of geo-referenced aerial imagery by surveying an area with a RPAS. These images are analyzed and processed into a 3D-model using specialized software from where we identify the volumes that needs to be calculated. Results are then calculated in cubic meters (m³) and weight in tons (t) or kilograms (kg). We make use of the known material density of the specific material being surveyed to calculate the weight per cubic meter (m³).

Volumetric Calculations can be done on:

• Stockpiles at farms, mines and quarries.
• Tailings dams at mines
• Open cast pits at mines
  • Banks on edge of open cast pits
• Cut and fill areas on construction sites

Making use of visible and NDVI technology together with advanced software we can collect data that is invisible to the naked eye. NDVI – (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) is a simple graphical indicator that can be used to analyze remote sensing measurements. During the survey we can determine the following:

• Crop analysis.
• Crop loss assessment for insurance claims.
• Nutrient deficiency
• Plant and weed identification.
• Plant disease analysis.
• Plant health and possible stress.
• Soil moisture
• Yield potential

Progress reports

• We take pictures of the project area from exactly the same point weekly or monthly for progress reports.
• Aerial surveys of the construction site can be done weekly or monthly for progress reports.

Aerial Assessments and Imagery give the Environmentalist a better perspective of the area. Satellite images are sometimes outdated by more than 6 years and not accurate at all. The ability to get centimeter accuracy aerial images of an area and what it looks like currently gives an advantage over conventional data used.

Assessments that can be done are:

Fire Damage

Aerial photos and videos can be taken of an area to determine the scale and intensity of damage caused by a fire.

 

Flood damage

Aerial photos and videos can be taken of an area to determine the scale and intensity of damage caused by floods.

 

Flood risks

By surveying a specific area it can be determined whether the area is at risk of being flooded should the river levels rise in the area.

 

Sinkhole assessments

By surveying an area where a sinkhole has appeared it can be determined how big the actual affected area is. This is not always visible to the naked eye.

 

Up-to-date aerial images

We can supply up to date aerial images of a project area showing environmentally sensitive areas.

Bridges

• Bridges can be some of the most difficult objects to do inspections on, using a conventional or manned aircraft method. By using drones these inspections can be done safer, more cost- and time efficient.

 

Buildings and Roofs

Making use of both RGB and thermal imaging we can determine the following during building inspections:

• Insulation
• Surface cracks
• Surface deterioration
• Water leaks

 

Communication and broadcasting towers

• The antennae on these towers are constantly exposed to environmental factors.
• With Drones a visual and Thermal inspections can be done simultaneously in a short period of time.
• Doing the inspections with Drones minimize the risk to people that needs harnesses, ropes and ladders to do the inspection.

 

Electrical installations

Making use of both RGB and thermal imaging we can determine the following during electrical installation inspections:

• Damaged and defective wiring
• Damaged and defective insulators
• Damaged and defective sub-stations
• Damaged and defective transformers

 

High rise cranes

• High-rise cranes take a lot of strain and load on a daily basis. Using RPAS to do the inspections it reduces expenses, time and necessary equipment (ropes, harnesses etc.)

 

Silos, Cooling towers and Concrete structures

Making use of both RGB and thermal imaging we can determine the following during an external and internal silo inspection:

• Insulation
• Surface cracks
• Surface deterioration
• Water leaks

 

Solar panel inspections

Making use of both RGB and thermal imaging we can determine the following during solar panel inspections:

• Damaged and defective wiring
• Damaged and defective PV cells
• Damaged glass panels
• Damaged solar panel frames

Blast Monitoring

Pre-blast assessment of the area.

• Make sure all personnel and vehicles have cleared the area and are within the safe zone.

 

Pre-blast survey of the area.

• Survey of the area prior to a blast can assist with volume that need to accounted for.

High-speed camera monitoring during blasting operation.

• High-speed video is captured during the blast operation for post-blast analysis. This can assist in determining whether all explosives detonated.

 

Post-blast assessment of the area

• Video and pictures of the blast area for reporting purposes.

 

Post-blast survey of the area

• This survey data can then be compared to the pre-blast survey to assist in volumetric calculation and to determine if the amount of explosives used were effective.

• Anti-poaching ground team assistance
• Crime prevention surveillance
• Fence line inspections
• Law enforcement ground team assistance
• Livestock theft
• Riot / Strike surveillance