LF Track III:Drone Technology

Application in Waste Management Facility

Presented byMike Cobb

Authors

Osvaldo LuceroMaria Eugenia Rey Nores

Ezequiel VerdiniJames Law

Benito Roggio Ambiental, Argentina&

SCS Engineers, USA

Presentation Outline Introduction Surveying Methods Traditional Survey (Total Station) Drone Technology

Case Study Summary

History

Did you know that….

The earliest recorded use of an unmanned aerial vehicle for warfighting occurred on August 22, 1849 when the Austrians attacked the Italian city of Venice with unmanned balloons loaded with explosives?

www.sciencephoto.com

History…

Did you know that….

An early type of hot air balloon used for military signaling known as Kongming lantern around 230 AD, by a well known war strategist, ZhugeLiang, during Warring States period.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhuge_Liang

Source: pbs.com, 2013

UAVDrones - Military types

UAV…

Source: google.com

DJI Phantom 3

Drones - Commercial types

Drone Use Estimates

Source: pbs.com, 2013

Drone Useage – fire; search & rescue

Source: pbs.com, 2013

Drone Useage – pipeline Inspection

Source: pbs.com, 2013

Drone Useage – gas leak

Source: edf.orgOct. 23, 2015, massive natural gas leak erupted at a storage well near Los Angeles

Oct 23, 2015 – Jan 31, 2016Feb 11, 2016

96,000

$15,000,000

Drone Useage – Package Delivery

Source: pbs.com, 2013

Transit Survey – Total Station

From manual to digital transit

Source: google.com

Traditional Topographic SurveyTotal station allows the surveyor to measure heightsand positions for number of pointsSome points cannot be accessed due to unsafeAccess, especially in landfill environmentAccuracy of about 0.05” (1.5mm)It depends on the experience of the surveyors

Traditional Survey

For example: approx. 500 acres (200 Ha)Total number of points: 1,275Distance between points: 80 ft (25m)Estimated area of “polygons”: 6,400sf (625m2)

Drone TechnologyUse similar technology as aerial topo surveyFAA regulated for commercial usePermit Application may take up to one year

to approveRequired pilot license and certificate to

operateSCS has the permit with 5 licensed pilots

and 2 quadcopter drones (DJI Phantom 3)

Drone TechnologySeveral models available in the market are equipped with: photometric HR sensors, GPS, automatic navigation systems, etc.

Using a drone can vastly reduce the time spent in collecting accurate data A direct interface software permits easily translate the information to 3D

CAD drawings, DEM, etc. With data collection made simple, you can focus your energy on analyzing

data, rather than working out how to gather it Less time spent on the ground means surveying team/staff’s safety is

improved by minimizing risk By acquiring faster data from the sky, you can gather millions of data points

in one short flight

Use of DronesTypical Drone Surveying Work Plan

Flight planning

Setting of on-site GCPs

Flight

Import images

Generation of orthomosaics and 3D point clouds

Analysis/production of deliverables

Drone Used in Case Study

Drone - ebee

Source: sensefly.com

Weight: 1.52 lbs (0.69 kg)Wingspan: 38” (96 cm)Max. Flight time: 50 minutesArea Coverage: 4.6 sq. mi (12 km2)

Case Study – Norte III Landfill Site Plan

Case Study – Norte III Landfill

Video edited by Mailiis Law

Video Presentation

Case Study – Norte III Landfill

Drone Aerial Photography Image

Case Study – Norte III Landfill

Ortho-corrected Photography Mosaics

Case Study – Norte III Landfill

Digital Elevation Model (DEM)

Case Study – Norte III Landfill

Contours – Plan View

Case Study – Norte III Landfill

Total number of points: 2MMDistance between meassurementpoints, average: 8” (0.2m)Estimated area of “polygons”: 0.43 sf (0,04m2)

Results of ComparisonTOTAL STATION DRONE

Number of measurement points (typ.)

7/ac. (18/Ha.) 2,846/ac. (7,115/Ha.) -maximum

Accuracy ± 0.05” (1,5 mm) ± 0.5” (15 mm)

Time to carry out the survey per Ha (including 3D modelling)

2 days 2 hours

Cost per Ha USD 125 (2 field surveyors + 1 cad operator)

USD 20 (1 cad operator part time)

Amortization period About zero 850 ac. (340 Ha.)

Other Useage - Volume of Stockpiles

Plan View

Source: sensefly.com

SummaryNew trend - Drone technology may be the best cost-saving solution for aerial topography surveying and other data collection activities in landfill operationsand design.

It is fast and efficient solution for use in multiple sites. BRa operates 4 landfills in Argentina, each at about455 miles (1000km) apart.

Accuracy and easy use are key factors whenconsidering use of drone technology.

Drone

Thanks