APPLICATION OF UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE TECHNOLOGIES IN CONSTRUCTION

ABSTRACT

When implementing an information modeling model for capital construction projects, one of the most important problems is the collection and harmonization of data collected during construction on the geometric parameters of the construction object and territory at the stages of investment evaluation, design, production and operation. Within the framework of this article, a comprehensive scientific and technical solution is presented, based on the combination of methods for diagnosing construction objects, monitoring ongoing construction works, as well as technologies for automated identification of the number of necessary works using remote sensing technologies using unmanned aerial vehicles and information modeling (BIM technologies).

АННОТАЦИЯ

При внедрении модели информационного моделирования для объектов капитального строительства одной из важнейших проблем является сбор и согласование собранных в ходе строительства данных о геометрических параметрах объекта строительства и территории на этапах инвестиционной оценки, проектирования, производства и эксплуатации. В рамках данной статьи представлено комплексное научно-техническое решение, основанное на сочетании методов диагностики строительных объектов, мониторинга проводимых строительных работ, а также технологий автоматизированного определения количества необходимых работ с использованием технологий дистанционного зондирования с использованием беспилотных летательных аппаратов и информационного моделирования (BIM-технологии).

Keywords: monitoring, point cloud, unmanned aerial vehicle, capital construction facilities, design automation

Ключевые слова: мониторинг, облако точек, беспилотный летательный аппарат, объекты капитального строительства, автоматизация проектирования

Collection, coordination and systematization of information about the building and territory under construction, including geodetic surveys, geodetic monitoring, information on the degree of execution of the construction plan, as well as data on the final quality and quantity of work performed, is one of the most pressing problems of modern capital construction when creating and implementing an information modeling system, especially at the stages of investment assessment profitability of the facility, creation of its project, direct construction and operation. Because of this, the process of monitoring the construction work performed and the parameters of the construction object is greatly complicated, and the construction process itself may be delayed or involve financial losses that can reach 30% of the initial cost of the project. At the same time, it is worth noting that currently 4D modeling technology is the creation of a one-time and non-updatable predictive model of a future construction object. If one or more processes deviate from the original plan during the construction process, then this model is no longer predictable and is subject to change or addition of input data.

According to the authors of the study, this problem can be solved through an integrated approach that allows from a scientific and technical point of view to diagnose a construction object, monitor the construction process, as well as automate the determination of the volumes of work required for construction using remote sensing technologies that combine unmanned aerial vehicles and information modeling technologies (BIM technologies).

According to the Code of Rules of the Russian Federation regarding construction works, the following rules are distinguished that regulate the processes of monitoring construction, including geodetic, as well as the processes of using BIM technologies:

• SP 333.1325800.2020 "Information modeling in construction. Rules for the formation of an information model of objects at various stages of the life cycle";
• SP 471.1325800.2019 "Information modeling in construction. Quality control of construction works";
• SP 317.1325800.2017 "Engineering and geodetic surveys for construction. General rules of work";
• SP 126.13330.2017 "SNiP 3.01.03-84 Geodetic works in construction".

The use of BIM modeling technologies is mandatory for the construction of capital facilities at the expense of budgetary funds, starting from January 1, 2022. This suggests that at the present stage of development of the construction sector, digitalization of these processes while maintaining previously formed requirements for the composition and volume of information and indicators collected is an important part of construction production and control over it.

Based on this, one of the primary tasks is to identify a number of technologies, taking into account already developed strategies and new, information-modeled ones that can be used within the framework of construction processes already today. These technologies also include 4D modeling. In addition, ground-based laser scanning (NLS) technologies are highlighted, which allow you to track the geometric parameters of the object being built and create objects with greater accuracy, as well as air laser scanning (VLS) technologies, whose task is to design detailed digital models of the territory of the object being built. Also, among these technologies, special photogrammetry methods are distinguished in order to more accurately and realistically recreate geo-linked models of buildings and territories under construction.

A feature of these types of technologies is the transmission of data in the form of a dense point cloud (point cloud), which is tied to a specific geolocation. This feature allows you to combine these methods of collecting geospatial information, taking into account the shortcomings of each of them and the possibility of using the most effective methods. When choosing technologies for measuring and collecting information, it is impossible to exclude such previously developed methods as total stations, the use of laser rangefinders, theodolites, levelers and other geodetic equipment.

The authors of this article focus on the specifics of technologies such as radar, radar and photogrammetry, that is, on those methods of data collection that allow you to obtain additional data (for example, in the form of a billion points, allowing you to determine the position of an object in space), speed up field work (for photogrammetry and radar), collect large-scale volumes information about tens and hundreds of hectares for extensive and areal objects, as well as visualize the data obtained visually. Let's take a closer look at each technology based on modern research works:

1. Ground laser scanning. This technology is implemented through the use of a laser scanner – a special method of shooting that allows you to calculate the distance from the scanner itself to the object being built at a speed of thousands to a million points per second. Another feature of this technology is the ability to fix both horizontal and vertical angles of an object and recreate it as a three-dimensional model from a point cloud. It is characteristic that the scanner itself may not move at the same time and fix the image from several static positions, after which the resulting images are combined into a single point cloud, which allows you to continue collecting information. As an inertial navigation system (INS or IMU – a special measuring unit that allows you to record the angles of inclination and rotation of the scanner), a visual navigation system (VNS) and a satellite global navigation system (GNSS), the laser scanner can also be mounted on a mobile vehicle or moved manually. In addition, information about where the scanner is located allows you to simulate a point cloud at the same second.

2. Aerial laser scanning. Like the previous technology, the VLC is equipped with a laser scanner that collects information about the object. The difference of this technology is that the scanner is initially equipped with inertial and satellite navigation systems, which allows it to be used as part of unmanned vehicles (UAVs) and improve the acquisition and recording of geodata.

3. Using photogrammetry methods. A specific feature of this technology is the determination of the location of a point in space using its images. Both conventional digital images and analog ones can be used in this case. The camera itself does not matter, as well as what range of visibility is depicted in the picture. Also, the picture can be taken with the help of an unmanned vehicle, and manually. If there are navigation systems on the camera, this data collection method can also read information about the camera's position in space. Based on the obtained images, the photogrammetry method allows you to create a point cloud, orthophotoplanes, digital terrain and landscape models, polygonal and textured models for further decoding.

Each of the three methods has both advantages and disadvantages. In accordance with the qualitative criteria, they are presented in Table 1:

Table 1.

Comparison of methods by qualitative criteria

After analyzing the data in the table, we can conclude what a comprehensive model of monitoring and diagnostics of capital construction projects under construction should look like, including the use of all technologies, as well as remote research methods from drones, at different life stages.

Based on the previously identified positive features of information collection technologies, a technology can be proposed that allows using the advantages of ground and air scanning, as well as the photogrammetry method. With the help of the proposed technology, it is possible to obtain data in the form of a single digital model of the object being built or its separate element in the form of a point cloud, a digital or polygonal model of the territory, an orthophotoplane.

The integrated use of three types of technologies makes it possible to move away from the use of BIM technologies, the main disadvantage of which is the need for constant updating of data on the construction object. In the case of the proposed model, the data will be automatically updated due to the regular correlation of the object's information model with its geometric characteristics in reality through the use of digital diagnostic tools for the object and the territory around it. In addition, the integrated model allows you to separately consider the elements of the construction object, take into account the peculiarities of the surrounding infrastructure and landscape relief.

Figure 1. Drones on the construction site

The technology proposed in this study has been tested and implemented at pilot facilities, as well as used to solve certain construction tasks at such life stages of the facility as:

• construction of a model of the object and the adjacent territory in digital form;
• measurement of the amount of work required, as well as control over the quality of their performance (excavation, installation of enclosing and load–bearing structures);
• monitoring and evaluation of the quality of construction work, as well as the degree of their compliance with geometric parameters;
• making changes to the digital model of a construction object, tracking structural damage using visual assessment, etc.

The technology described in the article was used in infrastructure construction projects, as well as in environmental monitoring of construction sites.

The proposed technology was used to identify the actual volumes of solid household waste in unauthorized warehouses in order to determine the material damage suffered. Also, with the help of Technology, the features of the facades of individual housing non-residential buildings as part of a single complex and an underground parking lot were studied, which made it possible to determine the degree of deterioration of the facade of the building due to violations of the rules when cocking a construction object. In particular, the technology was used in other similar projects.

The introduction of the Technology allows us to conclude about the effectiveness of its practical use. Thus, this Technology allows you to fully evaluate and monitor all construction processes, as well as monitor compliance with geometric parameters, without resorting to the direct participation of highly qualified specialists during construction. As a result, the data obtained showed that the advantage of using the Technology is to reduce financial costs of up to ten million rubles per thousand hectares of a construction object, as well as reduce the amount of construction waste by 10%, and reduce the time spent on construction by up to 20%.

The technology considered in this article for evaluating capital construction projects at all life stages using remote sensing methods using unmanned means and previously created accurate digital models of the object under construction has a number of advantages, one of which is the ability to make timely changes to the previously created model taking into account geometric data, which makes it easier to process construction production. As a result, the risks of disrupting the construction schedule, as well as possible financial losses and losses associated with the violation of the start date of the facility are reduced. The technology of unmanned aerial vehicles in combination with remote sensing methods also reduces the number of hours spent studying information about a construction site, while the volume and accuracy of the collected data increases.

Also, the use of this technology makes it possible to use less manual measurement of geometric data with the help of special devices, because the information collected by drones allows you to remotely decrypt it, without direct participation in the collection process. This also entails a reduction in the costs associated with the payment of physical labor and the time to search for them, which will reduce the number of employees by improving their skills.

In addition, this technology allows the use of spatial analysis, which will increase the number of ways to classify individual building elements. The use of drones for diagnostic sensing also makes it possible to develop new methods that are aimed at automatically updating the schedule of construction work based on a comparison of the planned amount of work obtained by 4D modeling and the actual one obtained on the basis of a regularly updated digital model of the project. This requires a subsequent study of the possibilities of analyzing geometric space and topological comparison of two types of models, taking into account their use in construction production, which allows the introduction and adaptation of BIM technologies at all stages of construction.

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