Drone technology is marking a before and after in the civil engineering industry, radically transforming traditional work methods.
If you want to know the impact that drones are having on civil engineering and their main uses in this sector, read on. But if you want to apply drone technology in your project, discover our aerial services with drones.
The impact of drones on civil engineering
Drones have revolutionized the way civil engineering projects are conceived and executed. Their ability to significantly improve the safety, efficiency, accuracy and visualization of projects makes them indispensable tools. For example, drones’ ability to access hazardous areas minimizes hazards to personnel, while their efficiency in data collection reduces operational time and costs. In addition, the accuracy of the information they provide informs better decisions and their visualization capabilities provide a comprehensive view of project progress.
Main benefits of the use of UAS in this field
- Improved safety by reducing exposure to risk
- Saving time and resources by streamlining data collection and project management
- Increased accuracy of geo-referenced data.
- Ease of understanding and tracking of the project in all its phases.
Specific uses of drones in civil engineering
Some of the main applications and uses of drones in the civil engineering sector are as follows:
Topographic terrain analysis
Topography and terrain analysis are the basis for any civil engineering project. Traditionally, these processes required considerable investment of time and human resources, as well as being limited by terrain accessibility. Drones have changed this landscape, allowing the collection of aerial data quickly and accurately. Drones are equipped with high-resolution cameras and advanced sensors, and as a result can generate digital terrain models (DTMs) and digital surface models (DSMs) with pinpoint accuracy.
These digital models are critical for project planning and design, as they provide detailed information about the topography of the site, including elevations, depressions, and terrain features.
Infrastructure inspection
Regular inspection of bridges, buildings, dams, and other structures is essential to ensure their safety and optimal performance. However, these inspections can be dangerous, especially when dealing with large structures or those in hard-to-reach locations.
Drones can easily access these areas, providing detailed images that can identify cracks, corrosion, displacements, and other potential problems without the need for direct physical access. This not only reduces risks for inspectors, but also speeds up the inspection process.
Supervision and monitoring of work progress
Drones play a crucial role in monitoring civil works. They provide a flexible and efficient platform for monitoring the real-time progress of construction. Drones can capture images and videos that provide an up-to-date overview of the project, facilitating the detection of deviations from the original plan and enabling timely adjustments.
This continuous monitoring capability helps ensure compliance with deadlines and budgets by providing visual evidence of progress. In addition, it could also help in resource management, logistical planning and construction site safety, making progress tracking more efficient and less invasive.
In conclusion, drones are playing a transformative role in civil engineering, significantly improving the efficiency, safety and sustainability of a wide range of tasks, and promising an era of innovation and technological advancement. If you want to experience the benefits of using drones in civil engineering on your own project, just get in touch with our team.
And if you are a drone pilot who wants to start offering your services in this field but don’t even know where to start, we can give you a hand. With our drone advisory and consulting service, we help pilots in all the management of their drones, from advice and feasibility of different operations, to coordination and management with the agencies involved, or in the definition and choice of environments and aircraft with which to operate, among other things. We are here to help you in whatever you need, do not hesitate to contact us if you want to start operating with your drone in the civil engineering sector.
