Laser Scanning

Advancements in surveying technology in recent years has seen the development of hi-definition 3D laser scanning. This technology involves spinning a laser at high speed to gather survey data with high efficiency and in incredible detail with comparable accuracy to conventional surveying techniques. PDA Surveyors operates the very latest in terrestrial laser scanning hardware utilising ultra high speed scanners than can measure up to 2-million points per second at ranges up to 130 meters.

Applications

  • Architectural scans of existing buildings
  • Recording of heritage or archaeologically significant structures
  • Monitoring and change detection
  • Building Information Modelling (BIM) and as-built scans
  • Industrial scans of structures and plant
  • Stockpile scans for volume determination
  • Deformation scans
  • Verticality scans
  • Open-cut and underground mine site scans
  • Miscellaneous scans of complex features that require a high density of points or detail of features not easily accessible

Deliverables

The resultant output from laser scanning is known as a Point Cloud. Essentially a Point Cloud is the combination of the several million points in 3-dimensional space acquired during the laser scanning process that represents the captured built environment. PDA Surveyors can provide high-definition Point Clouds at survey level accuracies for a range of applications.

PDA Surveyors offer an in-house 3D modelling service from the resultant Point Cloud data acquired by our surveyors. Full 3-dimensional models can be constructed of surveyed structures or the built environment including buildings, machine parts and plant, pipework and steel structures typically found on industrial sites. Building Information Models (BIM) can be produced for buildings of all sizes recording all of the intricate detail found throughout the building and can be provided in a number of suitable file formats.

Photogrammetry

Photogrammetry is the science of taking multiple photographs of an object or surface to generate a 3-dimensional stereo image. This process has been utilised together with imagery sourced from aerial photography since the 1850s. The big change that has occurred in recent times is the ability to capture high quality aerial imagery from an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone. This capability, combined with intelligent software and powerful computing, allows PDA Surveyors to provide comprehensive aerial mapping surveys in-house.

We can also provide terrestrial photogrammetry services for incredibly detailed surveys of objects such as building facades, historic walls, and other objects such as monuments and rock carvings.

Applications

  • Large scale topographic surveys
  • Surveys of inaccessible areas such as mining pits and tailings
  • Surveys of complex terrain such as rocky coastlines
  • Stockpile surveys for volume determination
  • Terrestrial surveys of building facades for architectural or heritage purposes

Deliverables

Photogrammetry allows us to provide a rectified orthographic image that has both relief and lens distortions removed.  The orthographic image is accurate and suitable to obtain accurate measurements.  The resultant image is incredibly detailed and aesthetically pleasing and provides a useful tool when combined as an underlay with a conventional detail survey.

When extracting elevation data, our photogrammetric software is capable of generating a Point Cloud in true colour.  The Point Cloud can be used on its own but is typically then applied to further generate surface models and contours.

If you are interested in any of our photogrammetry services and whether they might be suitable for your project, contact your nearest PDA Surveyors office to discuss the options available.

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