Aerial Surveys

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), more commonly known as drones, are a recent addition to the available range of surveying methods. They use a high-definition camera to record images of the same point from multiple angles. With the drone’s location known at the time of each image capture, the images can be processed together to create a range of deliverables, including 3D point clouds, digital terrain models of accurate ground heights, topographic feature plans and maps. This process is known as photogrammetry.

Certitude Surveys has a survey-grade RTK drone, the DJI M300. Using an RTK drone allows a much more accurate location for each image capture point to be recorded. The resultant point cloud can obtain height accuracies of better than ±50mm, with a very detailed surface capturing all the undulations of the ground. 

Drones allow large areas to be surveyed quickly and efficiently – the M300 can cover over 1km2 of ground in 2 flights, to a level of detail much better than standard GPS surveying on foot. They also provide a means of safe data collection over areas which could be hazardous for personnel to access on the ground.  

Certitude Surveys have used drones extensively for tasks such as: 

• Stockpile surveys for volume calculation.
• Establishment of original cleared ground level before earthworks.
• Monthly progress flights.
• Audits of earthworks to check contractors’ work.
• Topographic and feature survey plans, complete with accurate ground heights. This is most effective and accurate in areas without dense vegetation.
• Production of high-resolution aerial imagery, including incremental progress shots showing the same area over time. 
• Survey the roofs of buildings which can’t be accessed or seen from the ground. 
  Surveys of earthworks surfaces, for volume calculation, drainage analysis and compliance checks. the