Reporter Magazine 66

The Global Magazine of Leica Geosystems

66

2 | Reporter 66

Dear Readers,

Capturing and processing three-dimensional data is

an essential part of modern geodesy and is becom-

ing increasingly important in other industries as well.

The questions are less about data volume and more

about how data is processed and what projects it is

used in.

In this edition of the Reporter I am very pleased to

once again present a number of exciting contribu-

tions about how our customers and partners use

our wide array of products. This time the scope

ranges from automatic agricultural track guidance

to the Leica 3D Disto and how it greatly increased

the productivity of a cabinetmaker firm. The film and

video game industry has also started using Leica

Geosystems and the reliability of Leica Geosystems

equipment in extreme climates was proven once

again both in the high humidity of a cave network in

Malaysia and the freezing cold of the Arctic.

My personal favorite in this edition though, is the

article “A Perfect Workflow”, describing how Leica

Geosystems solutions and those of our sister com-

pany Intergraph complemented each other perfectly

to complete a high-profile 3D Laserscanning project.

Our parent company Hexagon provides us with the

opportunity to work together on innovations, each

company contributing its core competencies and

together creating a whole that is greater than the

sum of the parts. The company Fenstermaker in the

USA is one of our customers and partners that profit

from this.

“Think Forward!” is the motto of the Hexagon 2012

user conference in Las Vegas from 4 –7 June. I look

forward to seeing you there, but until then, I hope

you enjoy reading this edition of the Reporter.

Juergen Dold

CEO Leica Geosystems

Editorial

Imprint

Reporter: Leica Geosystems customer magazine

Published by: Leica Geosystems AG, CH-9435 Heerbrugg

Editorial office: Leica Geosystems AG, 9435 Heerbrugg, Switzerland, Phone +41 71 727 34 08, [email protected]

Contents responsible: Agnes Zeiner (Director Communications)

Editor: Konrad Saal, Agnes Zeiner

Publication details: The Reporter is published in English,German, French, Spanish, and Russian, twice a year.

Reprints and translations, including excerpts, are subject tothe editor’s prior permission in writing.

© Leica Geosystems AG, Heerbrugg (Switzerland), May 2012. Printed in Switzerland

Cover: © Nick Cobbing / Greenpeace

CO

NTEN

TS A Perfect Workflow

On Arctic Ice Floes

GNSS to StudySeabirds’ Island

Perfection for Agriculture

Controlling The Bow

The Underground World of Mulu

With Glass Millimeters Matter

Highest Precision and no Waste

Surveying for the Movies

Smooth Road to the Games

Climate – the Answers are in the Soil

Modeling the World'sDeepest Mine

Heavy Loads onWeak Foundations

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The Global Magazine of Leica Geosystems | 3

by Ryan J. Fuselier

Fenstermaker began as a small, regional survey-

ing company in 1950. It has since become one

of the largest surveying and mapping compa-

nies in the southern United States, known for

its commitment to finding solutions to the most

complex mapping and surveying challenges.

The Advanced Technologies Division formed in

2008 offers specialized field services, including

Underwater Acoustic Imaging (UAI) and High-

Definition Surveying (HDS) to provide topside

and underwater as-built mapping services to

the oil and gas industry. The combination and

synergistic working relationship allows Fenster-

maker to deliver high-resolution 3D visualiza-

tion, accuracy, and detail on projects that are

not possible using traditional survey methods.

Fenstermaker began laser scanning in 2006, prior

to establishing the Advanced Technologies Division,

with the help of Joe Lafranca from Leica Geosys-

tems. The first laser scanning project was a Pump

Station and 9.6 km (6 mi) topographic survey travers-

ing Lake Shore Drive in New Orleans. At the time,

Fenstermaker relied on Leica Cyclone 3D Point Cloud

Processing Software, Leica CloudWorx for AutoCAD

for 3D Model extraction from point cloud, and other

modeling systems.

From this project we understood how the scanning

capabilities could be of value to the oil and gas indus-

try. In 2007, we completed a laser scan of a Georgia

Gulf facility and implemented the first seat of Inter-

graph CADWorx plant design suite operating on top of

AutoCAD to model and generate 2D spool isometrics

for fabrication. Since it was our first chemical facility,

we had to address several field and office challenges.

In the office, we streamlined our workflow between

Leica Cyclone, CloudWorx, and Intergraph CADWorx.

Leica Cyclone generated steel, CloudWorx extracted

pipe centerlines, and Intergraph CADWorx added the

intelligence.

As-Built Modeling After the Gulf project, we began testing the use

of laser scanning with traditional total stations in

dimensional control projects that required high tol-

erances such as the large-scale fabrication of steel

structures or modules, and even jumper and hub

A Perfect Workflow

4 | Reporter 66

alignments. We’ve taken all these tools – the scan-

ners and total stations, Cyclone and CloudWorx from

Leica Geosystems, and Intergraph CADWorx – and

created our own synergistic workflow that is more

efficient than conventional methods and allows us

to develop high accuracy, intelligent design models

for our clients.

In one recent project, a large oil and gas company

tasked with making upgrades to their existing infra-

structure solicited our group to develop an as-built

model of an offshore platform located 50 miles off

the Gulf Coast.

Our scope was to map the existing structure on the

topside and second sub-level of the platform, with

particular attention to pre-identified tie points and

general information along potential pipe routes and

proposed equipment locations. The data needed to

be delivered to within 3 mm (0.12 in) accuracy for tie

points and to an as-built model classification Fenster-

maker defines as Class A – Level 1. Class A – Level 1

means tie point and fabrication grade accuracy with

specification-driven intelligence added to every

modeled component. In terms of timeline, the client

directed that field data collection on the platform had

to be completed in two days, including mobilization.

Traditional methods simply wouldn’t have worked.

Conventional techniques such as prisms and total

stations would have yielded accurate but limited

results, while costing the client more time and pos-

ing a greater safety risk. Instead, we put in place

our entire scanning/modeling workflow – from Leica

HDS scanner to Leica Cyclone/Intergraph CADWorx/

Leica CloudWorx software – to make this project a

success.

Advanced WorkflowOnce we had the schedule coordinated with the cli-

ent, we sent a two-man survey crew in a helicopter

with a Leica Geosystems HDS6000 laser scanner to

map the 14 x 14 m (45 x 45 ft) portion of the upper and

sub-level deck of the platform. On the first day, the

crew completed the upper deck in nine scans and set

control for the lower deck. The next day the crew

completed seven scans on the lower deck and mobi-

lized back to headquarters.

Once back at the office, the survey team post-pro-

cessed and registered the scan data within Leica

Cyclone software. Main structural and pipe support-

ing steel was modeled and used to set the project

coordinate system and Leica TruViews were pub-

lished.


Looking AheadFenstermaker plans to continue to capitalize on

their success and work experience to build cutting

edge solutions in the oil and gas service sector. So

many companies and facilities are only scratching

the surface in bridging the gap between data and

management. We are in a unique position having

extensive knowledge of how a synergistic network

exists between the as-built and design world. One

day in the near future our clients will enter a feature

rich Ecosystem with bi-directional communication

between project management, design, construction,

asset management, and training all powered by the

point cloud engine.

About the author:

Ryan J. Fuselier, P.E., P.L.S., is Director of the Advanced

Technologies Division at Fenstermaker.

([email protected])

TruViews allow everyday professionals to easily view

and measure laser point cloud data without exten-

sive knowledge of point cloud software. While navi-

gating a Leica TruView, participants can collaborate

about project needs, generate markups, manage

assets, and acquire 3D coordinate data and measure-

ments.

Modeling Synergy The model was exported using the Cyclone Object

Exchange (COE) format to AutoCAD. Our designers

launched Leica CloudWorx within AutoCAD to model

the piping elements, flanges, and equipment along

with specification-driven intelligence.

Intergraph CADWorx and Leica CloudWorx comple-

ment each other well, both being menu driven pro-

grams within the native AutoCAD environment. The

synergy between these two programs is evident

in terms of functionality and our overall workflow

efficiency. Used together, we can develop an intel-

ligent asset model of existing conditions from which

designers can build the most effective and efficient

retrofit and upgrade for the facility. This ensures

zero to no rework upon installation.

Because the data from the Leica Geosystems

HDS6000 laser scanner was so accurate and com-

prehensive, underlying structural deformation was

uncovered.

During the modeling process, we could see the main

deck structural steel deformation and notify the cli-

ent. We were able to report this vertical deformation

in a color relief map of the entire upper section of

the platform. With this visual and analytical data,

smart decisions could be made by the client concern-

ing corrective measures for reinforcing or replacing

the structural components in the area to handle the

proposed skid load. These unforeseen deformations

could have presented serious installation delays but

were able to be addressed prior to equipment mobi-

lization.

As a final deliverable, the client wanted Fenstermak-

er’s SurvDMS (Data Management System) product

with a specific interest in an intelligent as-built 3D

model. SurvDMS is a portal for serving all project

related deliverables to include TruViews, monument

data sheets, 3D models, and engineering/construc-

tion drawings.

Following the acquisition by Hexagon in 2010, Inter-

graph® is a sister company of Leica Geosystems.

Intergraph operates through two divisions: Security,

Government & Infrastructure (SG&I) and Process,

Power & Marine (PP&M).

Intergraph’s Process, Power & Marine division cre-

ates solutions that enable the design, construction,

and operation of process and power plants, offshore

platforms, and ships, and provides the information

management capabilities to build and operate those

facilities.

The company’s leadership position is backed by a

proven track record of high-quality product develop-

ment, a global customer base of industry leaders,

and a worldwide sales and support network. Inter-

graph Process, Power & Marine’s business is based

on a strong financial foundation and steady growth.

More than two-thirds of the plants built worldwide

are designed using Intergraph software.

6 | Reporter 66

On Arctic Ice Floes

by David Mainwaring

The Cambridge doctoral students Till Wagner

and Nick Toberg spent a month last summer

surveying the dimensions and properties of

the thin floating ice floes in the wilds of the

Arctic between Svalbard and Greenland aboard

the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise. The aim of

the expedition was to collect data that would

provide firsthand insights into local ice condi-

tions in September, the period of most rapid

melt. The gathered data will also be helpful to

remote sensing scientists to validate satellite

measurements and to global climate modelers

to provide more accurate input for their simula-

tions. To ensure success, they needed just the

right total station to tie in snowdepth readings,

aerial imagery, and drilling sites with their 3D

laser scanner data, and to produce low resolu-

tion surveys of the ice topography.

When scientists Till Wagner and Nick Toberg needed

a total station to take with them on an ice-surveying

expedition to the Arctic, they turned to UK’s Leica

Geosystems authorized dealer Opti-cal Survey Equip-

ment Ltd for some advice on what to take. Opti-cal

Surveying Equipment Ltd provided the pair with a

Leica TPS1200+ total station for their mission, work-

ing with a Leica Viva Controller. Since completing

the expedition and beginning the process of making

sense of the measurements, Till has said that the

device – and the support they got – was absolutely

invaluable, and they certainly know where to turn for

equipment for their next expedition.

The right Surveying Equipment “The total station was exactly what we needed,” Till

said. “We're not trained surveyors, so to be able to

essentially ‘plug and play’ with it was really impor-

tant. We were able to use the total station in snowy

conditions, on moving ice floes, and in temperatures

of as low as - 12 °C (10 °F). Despite the conditions, it

was able to reference our positions and provide us

with scan points.”

The scientists received guidance and training on the

equipment from Opti-cal Surveying Equipment. Till

explained, “Before the expedition, David from Opti-

cal came up to us in Cambridge and showed us exact-

ly how it worked and what we needed to do with it to

take the specific measurements we needed.”

Measuring the ThicknessExperts say the thinning of ice over the past decades

may lead to an ice-free summer in 2020. “What the

satellite radar sees is just the part of the ice that is

above water. Since about nine tenths of the ice is

underwater there is a huge margin of error,” said Till

Wagner. “That's what we went there for: to get a

better handle on how thick the ice actually is.”

The simplicity of the total station meant they were

able to easily switch off its standard auto leveling

facility. On solid ground the auto leveling is a huge

Nick Toberg sets up a Leica TPS1200+ Total Station in front of the “Arctic Sunrise”.


But ship's crew and scientists were richly rewarded

for their efforts, not merely with the success of their

measurements but equally by the stunning beauty of

the arctic ocean; the endless fields of untouched ice;

and encounters with dolphins, ivory gulls, and polar

bears (the latter thankfully always from the safety

of the ship).

With another arctic expedition planned for next year,

Till said that the TPS1200+ is an instrument that they

would certainly consider taking again, as it afforded

them many advantages that other brands of device

had fallen down on, including being easy to use,

light-weight, and very durable.

About the author:

David Mainwaring is a land and minerals surveyor.

After his graduation he started as a Technical Sales

representative at Leica Geosystems. Now he under-

takes the same role at Leica Geosystems’ authorized

dealer Opti-cal Survey Equipment Ltd.

(www.surveyequipment.com)

([email protected])

help for most surveyors but, when the ground is a

constantly moving ice floe, the option to switch it off

came in very handy. They were using the total sta-

tion to match up the different depth measurements

they had taken with the GPS positions to give them

the information necessary for their studies into the

mechanics and evolution of thin sea ice sheets.

The detailed survey of the structure of broken up

and refrozen ice sheets will make it possible to bet-

ter understand the effects of winds and currents on

their motion and deformation. The study provides a

link between the micro scale physics of ice crystals

and the large scale physics of vast ice fields.

An Enriching ExpeditionThe measurements were taken on ice floes within a

mile of the open water edge, which meant the sur-

vey sites were subject to significant wave motion.

Add dense fog, interspersed with heavy snowfall

and chilling winds and you are working in challeng-

ing conditions. Conditions that called for a steady

supply of hot tea, warm gloves, and robust scientific

equipment.

© S

tuart

McD

ill /

Re

ute

rs

© L

uís

Fe

rre

ira

8 | Reporter 66

GNSS to Study Seabirds’ Island

by Luís Santos

Several hundred kilometers to the south of

Madeira lie the Savage Islands (Ilhas Selvagens),

home to some rare species of seabirds. This

untouched ecosystem is a sanctuary for the

marine birds that come here to breed. But the

peaceful appearance can be deceiving, as cli-

mate change appears to be having an effect on

the birds’ behavior. A Leica Geosystems GNSS

reference station with several connected mete-

orological sensors is supporting ornithologists’

research on this remote island.

At the beginning of 2011, Leica Geosystems provided

a turnkey GNSS reference station solution to DRIGOT

(Regional Directorate for Geographic Information

and Land Planning) to be installed on the remote

island of Selvagem Grande. In August, after discuss-

ing and solving all of the logistics aspects, DRIGOT’s

team travelled to the island to install the GNSS refer-

ence station and other components. As there is no

regular transport to get there, the team got a 14

hour lift with the Portuguese Navy.

Since there is also no electricity on Selvagem Grande,

a custom designed solar/wind system was built to

supply all system components with sufficient power.

According to the consumption needs of each sen-

sor, a set of three solar panels was included, as

well as two gel batteries to maintain system power

overnight. An originally planned wind generator was

dropped from the power supply system due to the

high risk of putting the local young bird population at

risk through its presence and noise.

A Leica GRX1200 Pro receiver and a Leica AR25

choke-ring antenna were installed and connected

to the autonomous power supply. Furthermore, the

solution included a MET4 meteo station. GNSS and


meteo data are pushed via the satellite Internet con-

nection to the Leica GNSS Spider server installed at

the DRIGOT headquarters in Funchal (Madeira), which

also manages the Madeira GNSS network REPGRAM.

The GNSS raw data collected on the island is of major

relevance to geodynamic studies of the region, as it

represents the behavior between Madeira and the

Canary Islands. This data is used for scientific pur-

poses by Portuguese universities as well as some

international institutions and universities, such as

EUREF and IGS.

Since the meteorological data was one of the main

products demanded in this project, a high accuracy

meteorological sensor, the Paroscientific MET4, was

installed on site. Temperature, atmospheric pressure,

and humidity are recorded every 10 minutes, and are

a fundamental tool for all major scientific studies

taking place on the island, in particular ornithologi-

cal studies. The global climate has warmed up, and

all models point towards this being the trend for

decades to come.

These changes in climate are affecting the distribu-

tion and phenology of countless species. It is vital

to study and better know the links between these

changes and the behavior, physiology, and demog-

raphy of top predators, such as Cory’s Shearwater.

The demographic data collected over the past 30

years on Selvagem Grande Island will be correlat-

ed with past climate data to better understand the

demographic responses of the Cory’s Shearwater

population. In the future, with the availability of very

accurate meteo data, the main task will be to create

new models that help better understand the popu-

lation trends, to be used as a reference point for

future comparisons.

The preliminary analysis of the GNSS data collected

reveals that the Leica GRX1200 Pro and the Leica

AR25 choke-ring antenna are providing GNSS mea-

surements of superior quality.

About the author:

Luís Santos is a Surveying Engineer and is a Leica

Geosystems GNSS and HDS Product Specialist in Por-

tugal. ([email protected])

Maria João Seiça Neves ist Regional Director at

DRIGOT. ([email protected])

Selvagens Islands Nature Reserve

The Selvagens (“Wild”) Islands are situated in the

North Atlantic, 163 nautical miles from Madeira

Island, including three volcanic islands, Selvagem

Grande, Selvagem Pequena and Ilhéu de Fora. The

terrestrial and marine biodiversity of the Selvagens

Islands as well as the importance of their habitats

make these islands a unique Nature Reserve.

The fauna of the Selvagens Islands is diversified,

mostly for nesting birds. The nature reserve is a

refuge for an interesting community of several spe-

cies of seabirds such as Cory’s Shearwater, the larg-

est colony of this species in the world, White-faced

Storm-petrel, one of the largest populations in the

Atlantic and forms the northern boundary of the

species distribution, Bulwer’s Petrel and Madeiran

Storm-petrel.

More information about Madeira´s protected areas

can be found at: www.pnm.pt

More information about Madeira can be found at:

www.geocidmadeira.com

For more information about the Madeira’s GNSS

reference service REPGRAM, please visit:

www.repgram.org.pt

10 | Reporter 66

Perfection for Agriculture

by Konrad Saal

Precise Global Navigation Satellite Systems

(GNSS) are established tools for geodesy, but

these heavenly helpers also come to the aid

of farmers by enabling automatic steering sys-

tems. “Precision farming” describes giant trac-

tors, combine harvesters, or other agricultural

machinery steered by an invisible hand, hum-

ming along for miles on the wide-open fields of

our planet. An image that doesn’t quite fit with

the picture of small, mountainous Switzerland.

But could these precision auto-steer systems

also be used efficiently in a country where only

about 24 per cent of the land is under cultiva-

tion, most of it hilly or steep?

Farmer Marius Frei from Gut Lenzberg near Frauen-

feld in Canton Thurgau has approximately 40 ha (100

acres) of arable land and is fascinated by the use

of precise auto-steer systems: “I love technological

aids that are simple and useful.” The curiosity of this

technology inspired farmer was particularly aroused

by the fact that Leica Geosystems, a leading manu-

facturer of surveying solutions, also provides auto-

steer systems for agriculture. It had been clear to

him for some time that satellite-based technology

would soon have a significant role to play in Swiss

agriculture. He installed a Leica mojoRTK auto-steer

system on the tractor he uses to prepare the fields

for March sowing of sugar beet and potato planting.

In autumn, he uses the automatic guidance system to

sow his winter wheat. The non-overlapping steering

control of his farming machinery saves on fuel, wear

and tear, and time. Besides, it’s nice to sit on board

a tractor that’s always on track – without the driver

having to intervene. And of course, productivity and

quality stay the same at night. Ever since, the rows of

seed on Marius Frei's fields look as if they have been

set out with a string line.

He has since turned his passion for agricultural

technology into a second source of income and has

successfully been marketing Leica Geosystems agri-

cultural solutions since 2010. Now he employs the

systems on his tractors not only for daily tasks in his

In Switzerland, guidance systems are particularly interesting for vegetable farmers, as shown here for potato planting.


The requirements for auto-steering systems in

mountainous Switzerland are incomparably higher

than in flatter countries, which is why his custom-

ers will benefit greatly from Leica mojoXact. Thanks

to Leica Geosystems patented terrain compensation

this upgrade option provides even greater precision

in RTK positioning. “My fellow countrymen's liking for

precision and perfection even extends to the rows of

seeds in their fields,” says Frei with a smile.

The auto-steer systems can also operate the auto-

matic part-width section control on these machines.

This saves seed because overlapping is reduced and

every part of the field receives the right amount of

fertilizer. “I will be sowing corn in my fields this year

with an automatic part-width section control,” says

Frei. For other applications – not just in agriculture

– he looks forward to a bright future: “In the fall we

will be preparing football pitches and sports fields

with the help of Leica Geosystems automatic part-

width section control.”

About the author:

Konrad Saal is a Surveying Engineer and Manager

Marketing Communications at Leica Geosystems AG

in Heerbrugg, Switzerland.

([email protected])

fields but also for tests, and his customers receive

practical demonstrations in addition to the usual

sales talk, service, and advice.

“From a commercial point of view, auto-steer sys-

tems are primarily of interest to vegetable farm-

ers, as they spend many hours a year tending their

crops,” says Marius Frei. His customers also include

farming contractors, who use the auto-steer system

for sowing and soil preparation. “All my customers

are impressed by the automatic guidance systems,”

he explains. On the roof of his house and 25 km away

in Kloten he has his own base stations, which trans-

mit correction data to ensure precision steering.

The antennas mounted on the agricultural machines

receive this correction data. He is happy to provide

this service to customers working in the fields near

both stations.

He recently installed a Leica mojo3D with mojoXact

on another tractor. This successor model to the

acclaimed Leica mojoRTK has a large, clear display,

allowing settings to be made conveniently via the

touch screen. Moreover, the system supports many

steering templates, including freehand shapes,

which can be saved alongside the details of the areas

worked and the field’s boundaries. And should any of

his customers need help, Marius Frei can assist them

by means of the remote maintenance feature.

12 | Reporter 66

Controlling The Bow

by Vicki Speed

The Bow, with construction costs at an estimat-

ed 1.5 billion Canadian dollars, is the largest

office space in Calgary and the tallest building in

Canada outside of Toronto. During the construc-

tion of a skyscraper as complex as the Bow, the

structure will temporarily lose its exact verti-

cality and the building will tilt, contract, and

expand. To ensure the functionality of such a

complex and innovative design, MMM Geomat-

ics, Ledcor Construction, and steel fabricators/

erectors Supreme Walters Joint Venture, estab-

lished an innovative “neutral” building control

network that combined leading-edge technolo-

gies, advances in geomatics methodology, and

rigorous quality control and quality assurance

procedures to deliver precise real-time data.

In advance of construction, MMM, with help from

long time survey equipment supplier, Spatial Technol-

ogies Inc., selected the right equipment to establish

a comprehensive horizontal and vertical building con-

trol network that would allow precise survey layout

both on and off the structure.

The primary level of horizontal control consisted of

three external framework control stations. These

reference stations were installed on solid infrastruc-

ture, such as bridge abutments, nearby and located

at adequate distances from any development for

maximum marker stability. The primary horizontal

project control was established using a combination

of conventional and static GPS observation tech-

niques.

Real-time ResponseTwo continuously operating GPS reference stations

were selected as well and acted as a reference for

the external framework control. The GPS stations

continuously streamed real-time kinematic data and

constantly recorded raw GPS phase and code data

for precise post-processing applications.

MMM further established an external rooftop con-

trol network that consisted of 12 Leica Geosystems

professional 360 degree prisms, tribrachs, and car-

riers located on existing buildings near the site. GPS

antennas were attached to the top of the prisms

to allow for static GPS observations on these con-

trol markers. At three-month intervals, MMM per-

formed a complete static GPS survey that involved

simultaneous occupation of all rooftop prisms and

framework control markers. In addition, conventional

angles, distances, and spirit-leveled observations

were combined with the GPS position differences

in the network adjustment. After each survey, the

network was re-adjusted and statistically significant

coordinate updates, if any, were published.

Finally, MMM established a floor control system on

each level of the structure as it was constructed. The

floor control system included a series of at least six

horizontal control stations, which were used for all


>>

Controlling The Bow

subsequent layouts on the floor, including building

elements such as atrium steel, edge-of-slab, curtain

wall, elevator shafts, and project gridlines. These

stations were monumented on the ground floor con-

crete surface and subsequently transferred vertically

to each floor via laser plummet and validated by an

extensive survey and data quality control process via

least squares adjustment.

MMM selected two Leica TCRP1201 and one Leica

TS30 0.5 ” precision motorized total stations for all

precise setting-out activities on site. The Leica TS30

was used for applications where stringent accuracy

was required, including the establishment of floor

control for subsequent use by all trades. The estab-

lished control served as the primary horizontal ref-

erence for all future layout by all trades within the

tower.

Displacement and DeviationPerhaps the most innovative technique employed

on the project was the use of a network of Leica

Nivel220 inclination sensors to track and correct for

any deviation from a neutral plumb state due to nat-

ural or man-made forces.

Natural forces that might impact the structure include

wind, which creates building drag, and solar effects,

which cause temperature-related variation in steel

and concrete. Artificial forces, caused by differen-

tial raft slab settlement and crane loading, yielded

unbalanced loading on the structure. The period of

the building movements varied and consisted of a

combination of short-term, daily, and seasonal dura-

tions.

Surveyors have used inclinometer instrumentation

on some of the most innovative and complex sky-

scraper projects in the world. MMM worked close-

ly with Spatial Technologies Inc., as well as other

Leica Geosystems experts, to evaluate and test the

Leica Nivel technology and conduct short surveyor

training programs as needed, for use on the Bow

project.

The Leica Nivel220 inclinometer is a two-axis high-

precision tilt sensor with a resolution of 0.001 mil-

liradians. The device uses an optoelectronic principle

to accurately measure tilt and temperature in real

time, and allows for continuous data logging. Inclina-

tion is measured from the true horizontal surface

along the two orthogonal axes.

The MMM survey team continuously monitored, vali-

dated, and compared the inclinometer-derived build-

ing deviations to deviations determined using con-

ventional survey measurements from external fixed

control.

14 | Reporter 66

Rising ChallengesContinued monitoring of the structure, using the

rooftop prism and framework control network, indi-

cated that building movement started to gain signifi-

cance at about level 36 of the tower. Once building

displacement was proven to be greater than 20 mm

in any direction, standard survey layout procedures

were modified to account for the movement.

Real Time Kinematic (RTK) GPS techniques were

employed to plumb the building columns above level

36. A major limiting factor and important source of

error when using GPS techniques in urban environ-

ments is signal blockage and multipath from sur-

rounding buildings. As the BOW’s elevation increased,

these effects were diminished as the building sur-

passed adjacent structures in height. In general, the

layout using RTK GPS proved highly effective and

accurate.

As the structure continuously deviated from a neu-

tral plumb state due to natural and man-made forc-

es, it was necessary to account and correct for this

displacement. Observations indicated that building

deviations from the plumb line exceeded 50 mm

(2.0 in) at times. The inclinometer network allowed

for the correction of this deviation.

GPS survey procedures employed to position the

steel columns included the occupation of each col-

umn center using nominal RTK observation times

of two minutes. Structural displacement from the

building’s neutral position was determined simulta-

neously using data from the inclinometer network.

The inclinometer-determined displacements, during

each two-minute GPS occupation, were then applied

to the GPS positions to determine the actual move-

ments of each column, thus accounting for the devia-

tion of the structure from the vertical.

About the author:

Vicki Speed is a freelance writer based in Littleton,

Colorado/USA. ([email protected])

The Bow

At 58-stories and 236 m (775 ft) high, the Bow sky-

scraper in downtown Calgary, Alberta is one of the

tallest and most unique buildings in Canada, encom-

passing nearly two city blocks and 180,000 m² (1.9

million sq-ft) office and retail space. For the first

time in a North American skyscraper, the structure

incorporates a triangular diagrid system to create a

crescent-shaped building design. The diagonal and

vertical steel frame with triangular plates significant-

ly reduces the overall steel weight, and the number

and size of interior columns and thickness of the

elevator shaft walls.

The Bow will be the headquarters of EnCana Cor-

poration, North America's second largest natural

gas producer. The skyscraper is owned by H&R REIT,

designed by Foster + Partners with development

driven by Matthews Development (Alberta), and built

by Ledcor Construction Ltd.

More information at: www.the-bow.com


>>

The Underground World of Mulu

by Kevin Dixon

When the Internet seems to have all the answers

and the earth is revealed in ever more detail, it

is refreshing to find a part of the planet that is

still being discovered, even after thirty years

of exploratory expeditions. In Mulu, Sarawak,

Malaysia, what was created over millennia by

water pushing through the limestone bedding

and faults to find the quickest route to the sea

is now a crystal underground world inhabited

by bats and swifts. Surveying has been essen-

tial to the continuing discovery, providing maps

to guide the explorers back to their starting

point; showing potential new entrances as they

approach the surface; and hinting at new discov-

eries as cave passages follow major faults, bed-

ding planes, and drainage horizons. But what sur-

veying technology and methods have survived

this harsh environment to map this 3D maze?

Conditions within Mulu are not ideal for surveying

equipment, or people for that matter. The humidity

is typically 100 % and the temperature 30 °C (86 °F).

Getting to the caves still requires machete work

through rattan and vines; climbing through roots,

dense undergrowth, and limestone pinnacles; wad-

ing through streams and mud; and frequent tropical

storms. Most people stay fully covered, despite the

heat and humidity, so as to avoid cuts and scratches

that can quickly become infected. It also provides

some protection against the leeches, horseflies, and

mosquitoes.

The success of early expeditions conducted by the

“Mulu Caves Project” depended to a large extent

upon good surveying. The surveys were needed not

only to illustrate the amazing discoveries being made

but also because much of the scientific program

relied upon accurate surveying. Nearly all the cave

passages were surveyed as they were discovered by

small teams of two or three surveyors. The instru-

ments typically used were compasses and clinom-

eters with 30 m (100 ft) fibron tapes. Back at camp,

survey drawing was limited to transferring notes

onto graph paper with the help of a protractor and

ruler. Later, programmable calculators made the task

much easier. Field drawings were always limited to

graph paper and were drawn up in ink and Letraset

only after returning to the UK.

Robbie Shone drawing up the Mulu Caves.

16 | Reporter 66

Surveying Today – with Leica DISTO™ Laser Distance Meters The 2011 expedition had a number of ambitious

goals over the scheduled six weeks, many of which

were surveying related. Teams of 2 – 4 people did

the surveying with one designated note-taker field

sketching the cave and tabulating the readings on a

waterproof notepad. A second person operated the

instruments, shouting the readings to the note-taker.

Leica DISTO™ DXT and DISTO™ D8 laser distance

meters from Leica Geosystems were taken on the

Mulu 2011 expedition in addition to compasses and

clinometers. The DISTO™ D8 with a built-in clinom-

eter meant we could reduce the number of clinom-

eters used plus it had the advantage of greater

inclination accuracy and could measure up to 200 m

(656 ft). We had to avoid water and mud with the

Leica DISTO™ D8 but it was worth it as we measured

distances of up to 186 m (610 ft) to reflective targets,

often using the Leica DISTO™ D8 digital pointfinder

with our high-powered headlamps to identify distant

targets. By surveying extra long legs, we expected

the accuracy to be improved compared to more tra-

ditional, shorter survey legs.

It was the first time we used the Leica DISTO™ DXT.

Its higher IP rating (IP65) meant greater resistance to

mud and water. This was an advantage as we could

keep the DISTO™ DXT slung around our necks, ready

to use for quick measurements of passage dimen-

sions – usually left and right walls, ceilings and floors

in the direction of surveying. We used the same

equipment and techniques for surface traversing

to connect cave entrances to fixed control stations.

A feature of both laser distance meters that was

greatly appreciated was the internal memory, which

allowed the note-taker to check results and avoid

transcription errors.

Establishing Controls A dual frequency GPS receiver, a Leica SR530, was

taken on the expedition to determine a set of consis-

tent control points across the Mulu area, with partic-

ular emphasis on accurate height determination. Sta-

tions were determined by the availability of a clear

sky for good satellite visibility, which in primary jungle

is difficult to find. Some stations were set in clear-

ings that had been made within the park by the local

authorities for emergency evacuation by helicopter.

One location, just outside the park boundaries, had

been recently cleared by the indigenous population.

Thankfully, satellite visibility was good and the sur-

vey did not have to be repeated. The static 30 sec-

ond GPS data was Precise Point Positioned (PPP) by

the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, using their free online

service. The resulting absolute position accuracies

ranged from 0.02 to 1.09 m (0.8 to 42.9 in), with the

majority at the 0.1 m (4 in) level or better. The 1.09 m

(42.9 in) result was not unexpected. It was from the

worst site for visibility at the Terikan River Resur-

gence with a narrow field of view above the river and

a large cliff immediately to the east.

Expedition Summary A total of 15.2 km (9.4 mi) of new cave passages

were explored and surveyed, which included adding

13.4 km (8.3 mi) to the Clearwater System, making it

189 km (117.4 mi) long and the 8th longest cave in

the world. Two new caves were found and surveyed.

Eight geodetic GPS points were surveyed. A total of

26.2 million laser scan data points were collected

from Deer Cave and Sarawak Chamber, traversing


3.4 km (2.1 mi) with 36 setups. Sarawak Chamber,

the world’s largest underground chamber, was pho-

tographed using Megaflash bulbs and a Panorama

setup.

What takes people half way round the world to suf-

fer, survey, and pay for the privilege? Curiosity and

wonder seem to play a large part, knowing that you

are the first person to explore and survey a place,

finding out what is round the corner and discovering

crystal speleothems, the formation of which is not

yet understood. Large areas of Mulu limestone have

no known cave. This is sure to spur future expedi-

tions.

About the author:

Kevin Dixon is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical

Society, a Land Surveyor with a Degree in Computer

Science and Mathematics from the University of York,

UK, where he is based. ([email protected])

The Mulu Caves Project and Gunung Mulu National Park

The Mulu Caves Project is a collaboration between

UK and Malaysian speleologists and the Sarawak

Authorities in Malaysia. The expeditions are largely

self-funded by the members and usually take place

biannually. Preparations are lengthy and involve con-

siderable assistance from the Sarawak Authorities,

Sarawak Forestry Corporation officials, and National

Park management.

Gunung Mulu National Park is well worth a visit, espe-

cially taking a walk through Deer Cave before watch-

ing the evening exodus of the estimated 3 million

bats. Several adventure cave trips with experienced

guides are also available, starting from the recently

renovated park headquarters. Camp 5 is in a beauti-

ful setting and is used as a base camp for viewing the

razor sharp blades of the Limestone Pinnacles, some

reaching higher than the rainforest canopy nestling

between them. Much of the wildlife is nocturnal, a

slow walk along a jungle trail at night is often well

rewarded. Mulu has its own airport with regular

flights from Miri and Kuching. (www.mulupark.com)

A good collection of photographs for the Mulu region

including caves and wildlife can be viewed at

www.shonephotography.com.

18 | Reporter 66

With Glass Millimeters Matterby Axel Wagner

“Trinity Leeds – your retail soulmate is coming …”

This is the slogan on the website www.trinity-

leeds.com, announcing the planned opening of

a major shopping center in the middle of the

English city of Leeds in the spring of 2013. Con-

sulting engineers GEOSYS-Eber provided survey-

ing services to the German steelwork contractor

in charge of erecting the giant steel and glass

domed roof structure and several smaller roofs;

a challenge that demanded top-class perfor-

mance from the surveying engineers and the

highest precision from their Leica TCRP1202+

total station.

Construction of the Trinity Leeds shopping center

started in May 2011 and the main domed roof was

complete by the end of November. For the con-

struction of the roof a 25 m (82 ft) high scaffolding,

exactly matching the shape of the dome, had to be

erected. Temporary props on the top of the scaf-

folding carried the load of the roof until the edge

supports were installed. The extremely light and fine

lines of the glass dome catch the eye immediately:

all surfaces are rounded and mainly curved in two

directions so that no regular geometrical shapes,

such as segments of spheres, cylinders etc., could

be used.

The Cuplock scaffolding system was constructed with

1.30 x 1.30 m (4.3 x 4.3 ft) bays to follow the domed

roof and provide a working space some 1.50 and

1.80 m (4.9 and 5.9 ft) high. Prefabricated frame units

known on site as “ladders” were then assembled

to form the domed shape. Longitudinal and trans-

verse spars were welded together into frames with

15 x 15 x 15 cm (5.9 x 5.9 x 5.9 in) solid steel blocks

forming the nodes at the intersections. These coni-

cal, machined nodes were marked with a point on

their top and bottom for which a “design coordinate”

was calculated. The surveying engineer then had to

ensure this coordinate was achieved as accurately as

possible so the absolute position anywhere on the

roof surface did not deviate from the design value by

more than 20 mm (0.79 in). Still more stringent how-

ever was the required relative accuracy of the ladder

infill bays, which had to accommodate the inserted


immediately surveyed with the TCRP1202+ total sta-

tion before being moved into place. This process

could take up to half a day – depending on how

accurately the ladder was prepositioned and, in par-

ticular, whether fabrication tolerances had been met.

After the area had been covered with “ladders”, the

edge tubes were connected to the permanent edge

supports, which would then carry the loads. These

edge tubes are curved steel tubes of up to 350 mm

(14 in) in diameter, the inner chords of which are

welded to the ladders. The bearing arms for the roof

supports sit on the outer edges and the thrust bear-

ing for the roof supports is formed with steel plates

set into the building.

The final stage was the phased removal of the tem-

porary props. They were lowered millimeter by mil-

limeter until the load of the giant glass dome was

carried by the curved edge beams and the roof sup-

ports alone.

About the author: Axel Wagner is an engineer with

consulting engineers Geosys-Eber in Munich.

([email protected])

prefabricated glass panels - the tolerance here was

only ± 2 mm (0.08 in).

Since the Trinity development is part of the city’s

pedestrian zone, the scheduled times for trucks

delivering the 12 x 3 m (39 x 10 ft) ladders had to be

met to the minute. Each transport movement had to

take place within a 10-minute window and the trucks

were unloaded immediately upon arrival to keep any

obstruction of the inner city area to a minimum. One

of the largest unknowns in this operation was the

English weather, which from time to time blew our

plans to the winds or almost drowned us. For the

installation, the ladders had to be taken out of their

vertical storage position and then placed down hori-

zontally to be lifted by the crane. The cranes had

lifting chains adjusted to the exact lengths required

to set each ladder down on all its temporary props

simultaneously. If this were not done precisely, the

props would have given way like matchsticks, as they

could only carry the weight by acting together.

Once a ladder was within a few centimeters of its

final position, it was secured with chain hoists and

20 | Reporter 66

Highest Precision and no Waste by Cornelia Dietz

The carpenter's job description has changed con-

siderably since modern milling machines started

appearing in workshops and we seldom see them

with planes or chisels in their hands anymore. To

be able to fulfill the individual wishes of its cus-

tomers quickly and reliably, cabinetmakers Fried

AG, based in Bever near St. Moritz (Switzerland),

also needs to keep its computer technology up

to date. The company was on the lookout for a

simple but smart solution to produce customers’

orders precisely, from measurement to milling.

Fried processes between 150 – 200 m³ (196 – 262 yd³)

of wood annually, predominantly homegrown tim-

ber but also some exotic hardwoods. The company

passed into the hands of the second generation of

family management in 1991, now concentrating on

interior architecture and the manufacture of built-to-

order kitchens, doors, and cupboards to the specific

requirements of its customers.

One of these orders involved retrofitting a door in a

hallway to create a separate vestibule. Making doors

by hand is an extremely precise operation and always

begins with careful on-site measurements. “Nothing

is more tiresome than a door based on imprecise

measurements, which as a result is not an immediate

good fit. Installation is time-consuming and the qual-

ity of the finished product suffers,” explains Project

Manager Sandro Malgiaritta. “Until we had the Leica

3D Disto, we turned up on site with conventional

equipment such as notebooks, measuring tapes,

squares, spirit levels, and retractable tapes, or we

made templates. Because of the conical wall reveal

and the irregular segmental door arch, this method

would have been very time-consuming and prone

to error on this job.” An additional charge would

have applied to the manufacture of the door and

the installation would have required several iterative

stages to get a perfect fit.

Measuring the existing dimensions on site with the

new Leica 3D Disto on the other hand was a simple

CAD. Next he programmed the CNC machine. The raw

material was cut to size, planed, and then machined

in the CNC milling machine. Using this marvel of

technology, any complicated shape can be precisely

and quickly machined and identically reproduced –

whether sizing cuts, profiles, ornaments, etc. CNC

stands for “Computerized Numerical Control”; a digi-

tal process that ensures the component is machined

to fit exactly into the desired position. Afterwards,

the parts are finished and can be assembled. The

new door was then fitted into its precise position

on site.

“We were able to reduce the installation time for the

door by two-thirds. The customer was also pleased

because he received a very neat product that offered

him additional value,” says a delighted Malgiaritta.

His initial skepticism as to whether the Leica 3D Disto

could measure the existing dimensions to millimeter

accuracy – and do so for walls and rooms with such

oblique angles – has long disappeared. The Leica 3D

Disto has since become an essential tool for many

other projects.

About the author:

Cornelia Dietz is Project Manager Marketing for Leica

Geosystems AG in Heerbrugg/Switzerland.

([email protected]).

task. Sandro Malgiaritta set up the instrument to car-

ry out an automatic scan every 2 cm (0.79 in): along

the wall, past the corner to the irregularly shaped

arch and from there to the opposite wall and back to

the floor. This was done in just a few minutes. The

handy control unit, which communicates with the

Leica 3D Disto via WiFi, was a great help. Measure-

ments can be triggered and displayed as a drawing

on its clear, high-resolution screen.

Back in the office Malgiaritta imported the raw mea-

surements onto his computer as DXF files from a USB

stick. He then created the drawing for the doors in

"With the Leica 3D Disto, I can work with precise dimensions from the initial measurement to the installation on site. We’ve come full circle – I think that's brilliant."Sandro Malgiaritta,

Project Manager Fried AG

22 | Reporter 66

by Christine L. Grahl

Creating visual effects (commonly known as

VFX) with digital technologies and computer-

generated imagery (CGI) is spawning a massive

new industry, one that holds substantial prom-

ise for filmmakers and data wranglers alike. In

March 2012, science fiction author Edgar Rice

Burroughs’ vision finally came to life on the big

screen in Disney’s highly anticipated blockbust-

er John Carter – thanks in small part to the skills

of several surveyors with VFX expertise. Other

opportunities are quickly emerging on the visual

effects horizon as well.

The push to achieve ever-more-stunning visual

effects in films and video games is creating new

opportunities for surveyors and other spatial data

management experts.

A High Demand for Visual EffectsAs the demand for visual effects has exploded, so

has the need to create these effects in ways that

are faster, better, and cheaper. The result is a host

of emerging opportunities for individuals who are

highly skilled in spatial data management and the

broad world of data wrangling. “VFX work in film and

television is, fundamentally, coordinate geometry,”

said Duncan Lees, co-owner and director of 4DMax,

a prominent VFX and forensic geomatics firm head-

quartered near London. “We take real-world objects

and spaces and create accurate computer versions

of them. Sometimes this is done photographically,

sometimes with lasers, sometimes with GNSS receiv-

ers or total stations, but mostly with a combination

of several types of kits. The data we deliver is used

quickly and to the limits of both its precision and

accuracy, so there is a real requirement for quality

data.”

Lees, who was part of the visual effects team for

John Carter and has worked on other big-budget Hol-

lywood films such as Captain America, X Men First

Class, and the Narnia films with 4DMax co-owner

Louise Brand, notes that any increase in the quality

of data, the speed of its delivery, or the integra-

tion of geometry and movement improves the end

product and increases the viewing experience for the

moviegoer – a key factor in boosting ticket sales.

These requirements, along with an increasing push

Surveying for the Movies


>>

toward 3D, have led to a surge in demand for laser

scan data in particular. To meet this demand, 4DMax

has invested heavily in state-of-the-art software

and hardware, including the acquisition of a Leica

ScanStation C10 earlier this year. The company aims

to be a one-stop shop for all 3D VFX data, providing

an integrated response to the varied VFX workload

through a single contract.

“In theory, a lot of people with a survey background

could work effectively in some areas of VFX,” Lees

said. “But in reality, it is not just the technical know-

how that is essential; it is also the networking and

people skills that secure the work and keep people

happy. No jobs or contracts in VFX are advertised

anywhere. It is all word of mouth. It has taken us 10

years to be able to run a thriving VFX 3D data capture

and modeling business.”

A Highly Rewarding ExperienceBesides needing the right connections, VFX pro-

fessionals must be able to work in an extremely

demanding environment. “VFX teams have no use

for paper plots of floor plans, sections or eleva-

tions”, says Lees; all of the deliverables are purely

digital, and expectations for quality are ridiculously

high. Deliveries are typically due in hours or days

rather than weeks, extensive travel is required, and

14- to 16-hour days are typical. Lees describes how

on two recent movie sets, his team set up and cali-

brated their equipment in one studio or sound stage;

scanned people, props and places for 14 hours each

day; and then took down and moved their equipment

to another studio or sound stage in preparation for

another 14 hours of work the next day. “Every job is

exhausting and, at times, demoralizing,” he said.

The flip side is that it’s often a thrilling and highly

rewarding experience. “We love working with cre-

ative and respectful and talented people who are

prepared to let us be professional and who respond

positively to our experience and informed problem

solving,” Lees said. “The work is difficult and chal-

lenging, but the respect is enormous.”

For Will Haynes, a third-generation surveyor and

owner of FX Surveys in Los Angeles, working in the

film industry provides an artistic outlet for his skills.

“It’s fun being part of a creative team,” said Haynes,

who recently worked as a set surveyor for Universal’s

4DMax scanned the Taj Mahal for a VXF production.

24 | Reporter 66

Fast Five and Disney’s John Carter after several years

of strategic networking. “Even though you’re work-

ing really hard and long hours, it goes by quickly. The

work is often fun, social and interesting – you’re part

of a pretty tight-knit visual effects team when you’re

on set. And you’re also helping to create an artistic

product, even though it’s in a highly technical way.

Realistic Scenes for Video GamesTechnology continues to evolve at a rapid pace. The

emergence of lower-cost laser scanners such as the

Leica ScanStation C5 is making it easier for profes-

sionals to acquire 3D data capture technologies.

Meanwhile, the general public is learning to appreci-

ate point clouds thanks to technologies like Micro-

soft’s Kinect, which captures 4D point cloud data

for use with the Xbox 360 gaming system; at the

same time, developments in open-source software

are facilitating the manipulation of data for a wide

variety of creative applications.

Such advances are already occurring, as evidenced

by games like Activision’s Call of Duty, which has

broken numerous sales records largely due to its abil-

ity to fully immerse players in the realistic scenes.

Other developments involve the use of laser scan-

ning to create games that are easily scalable for a

wide range of gaming systems and handheld devices.

In the highly competitive world of films and video

games, each new effect will undoubtedly spur other

directors and developers to go even further in their

quest for a superior experience. Surveyors looking

for a new adventure would do well to keep their

eyes on both the big screen and consumer gaming

devices. “Everyone is looking for more and more

visual effects, and it seems like everything is in 3D,”

said Haynes. “I don’t see things slowing down in this

industry anytime soon.”

This article is adapted from the original issue pub-

lished in POB October 2011. The full version is avail-

able at www.geodatapoint.com.

About the author: Christine Grahl is the editor of POB

and GeoDataPoint.com. ([email protected])

Duncan Lees: [email protected]

Will Haynes: [email protected]


Smooth Road to the Gamesby Anton Ivanov

When the alpine and nordic athletes drive from

Sochi to their temporary homes in February

2014 for the XXII Olympic Winter Games, they

will travel on smooth new roads. A GOMACO

concrete paver equipped with Leica PaveSmart

3D is paving the way through six new tunnels

with a total length of 27.5 km (17.1 mi).

The Bamtonnelstroy company, specializing in tunnel

engineering works, was hired as a contractor to pave

the surfaces through six new road tunnels. Bamton-

nelstroy’s surveyors have chosen to equip a Gomaco

paver with the Leica PaveSmart 3D concrete paving

system provided by Navgeocom, Leica Geosystems’

Russian master distributor. It was the first time this

solution was supplied in Russia.

Bamtonnelstroy’s engineers will proceed with the

concrete foundation pouring after all six tunnels for

this road project have been bored. Because of the

round shape of the tunnel walls, stringlines cannot

be used for guidance inside the tunnels. Instead, the

Gomaco Commander III will be paving concrete with

a 6 m profile width through the tunnels. Position-

ing will be accomplished with three Leica TPS1200+

robotic total stations and two prisms fixed on the

paver’s screed. The total stations are mounted on

special brackets fixed to the tunnel walls every 150 m

(492 ft). The exact coordinates of the brackets are

determined using the leveling reference network.

The total stations guide the paver through the tunnel

continuously: two instruments guide the paver, while

the third waits its turn. Data from the total stations

is transferred to the paver’s on-board computer via

radio. The computer then compares the prism loca-

tion with the project design and refines the place-

ment of the concrete form.

By utilizing the concrete paving system Leica 3D

PaveSmart the first test road surface was estab-

lished with a vertical deviation of less than ± 2 mm

(0.08 in) from the project design. The system has

three key benefits: it removes the need to check

stringlines by walking along the rounded tunnel walls

and damaging newly built, wet roadway; it eliminates

human error; and it reduces construction time, sav-

ing the contractor money.

About the author:

Anton Ivanov is Public Relations Manager at Navgeo-

com, Leica Geosystems' Master Distributor in Russia.

([email protected])

26 | Reporter 66

Climate – the Answers are in the Soilby Dr. Michaela Bach

Soil is not only the basis for the production of

food, it also plays an important role in climate

protection. Carbon reservoir in soil is discussed

in the report on greenhouse gas sources and

sinks in the United Nations Framework Con-

vention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). At the

moment, Germany has no extensive, up-to-date

data on carbon reservoirs in agriculture soils.

To plug this gap in the country's knowledge, the

Institute of Agricultural Climate Research at the

Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute (vTI) in

Braunschweig is undertaking a research project

to develop a German agricultural soil inventory

over the coming years. A systematic and repre-

sentative determination of the current carbon

reservoirs in soils used for agricultural purposes

is intended to provide consistent base data for

the German National Emission Inventory Report.

Over the next few years, georeferenced data will be

collected at more than 3,000 locations using GPS/

GNSS and samples will be taken and stored for evalu-

ation in an extensive geodatabase as part of the

‘Agricultural soil inventory’ project. Researchers

will be creating a unique systematic data set, which

should provide the answers to numerous questions

in future years: How large are the carbon reservoirs

in the agricultural soil of Germany? What influence

© M

. W

ell

ing

/ Th

ün

en

-In

stit

ut

vTI also uses sensors to measure global radiation.


will climate change have on soil carbon reservoirs?

How do climate, land use, and management affect

soil carbon reservoirs? What influence does soil and

its specific characteristics have on the carbon stored

within it?

This and other questions relevant to research will be

investigated on the basis of this extensive fieldwork

project. Precise georeferencing is necessary to be

able to analyze and evaluate the large amount of

data in a meaningful way in the future. “Our task in

the field is to achieve a 2D accuracy of 30 cm (11.8 in).

Only then can we use the data efficiently for subse-

quent modeling and be sure that we can always find

the locations used in the ‘Agricultural soil inventory’

again if we need to,” explains Lars Konen, Fieldwork

Manager.

We established a grid for the fieldwork to ensure the

samples were random. Samples were taken in a com-

plex spatial process every 8 x 8 km (5 x 5 mi) on agri-

cultural land and the information was collected.

The fieldwork team determined the precise position

using a Leica Viva Uno and a Leica Viva CS10 control-

ler. Through the use of an external antenna on the

pole and the connection to a data correction service

provided by ascos, the sampling points are selected

and surveyed all over Germany. Soil scientist Lars

Konen: “For the mapping teams in the field, it is

important we use a simple-to-operate, robust, and

reliable system that can be operated intuitively by

all team members after a short training and induc-

tion phase.” For this reason, the project manage-

ment team decided in favor of this system and a

cooperation with Leica Geosystems: “High failure

safety, Germany-wide support, and extensive net-

work coverage through the reference data service

were important criteria. Moreover, it was essential to

us that the device be modular and could therefore be

modified for use in future research projects under-

taken by the Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute,”

says Lars Konen.

About the author:

Dr. Michaela Bach, geographer and soil scientist,

works at the Thünen Institute as Manager of Scientific

Evaluation on the ‘Agricultural soil inventory’ project.

([email protected])

About the Thünen Institute

How does increasing international competition affect

agriculture, forestry, and trends in agricultural pric-

es? What consequences does climate change have

for agricultural, forestry, and marine ecosystems?

Which technical innovations will allow raw materials

to be used more efficiently? These questions give an

insight into the broad range of topics being investi-

gated by the Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute.

The aim of the research is to develop concepts for

a sustainable, ecologically compatible, and competi-

tive agricultural and food industry; forest and timber

industry; and sea-fish and aquaculture industry to

contribute to the solution to specific problems of

agricultural regions. The Thünen Institute is a depart-

ment research establishment of the German Federal

Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protec-

tion.

More information at:

www.vti.bund.de or www.bze-landwirtschaft.de

28 | Reporter 66

Modeling the World'sDeepest Mineby Rekha Voralia and James Jobling Purser

Owned by Anglo Gold Ashanti and employing

6,000 people, Mponeng Mine is part of the old

Western Deep Levels Complex, near Johannes-

burg, South Africa and, as of last year, is official-

ly classified by The Guinness Book of Records as

the world’s deepest mine. At its deepest point

the mine extends to a depth of 4.1 km (2.5 mi)

below surface, where the rock temperatures

can reach 60 ̊C (140 °F) and the ambient temper-

ature reaches 36 ̊C (97 °F). To highlight potential

problem areas before the installation of a new

conveyor, a monorail, and a chair-lift at the mine

a survey was carried out to build an accurate as-

built 3D model of the development.

Using the 3D CAD model of the declines the rele-

vant service infrastructure could be overlaid in a vir-

tual CAD environment to determine any areas that

needed modifying before construction and instal-

lation commenced. Small deviations from the origi-

nal design could potentially cause problems during

installation, so creating a 3D model was critical in

preventing delays and costly overruns.

Creating a 3D CAD Model The scope of the job was to survey 3 km of develop-

ment declines which had been identified as deviat-

ing from the original design and could affect the

installation. The project has four parallel declines

that have been developed at an inclination of - 7.5 °,

progressing from levels 120 to 123 and 126. Under-

ground mine surveying specialists 3D MSI were com-

missioned with three objectives: Firstly, to survey

three of the four declines in 3D; secondly, to use the

3D CAD model to identify potential problem areas;

and finally, to superimpose the geo-referenced CAD

models of the services to aid in the identification of

these problem areas.


Modeling the World'sDeepest Mine

cessing point cloud data and 3D Reshaper for mod-

eling. Owing to difficulties with the fine tolerances

between the extent of the infrastructure and the

tunnel design, 3D MSI surveyed down to - 3,900 m

(2.42 mi) to provide a comprehensive analysis of

problem areas prior to the installations. A total of 240

separate scans were taken for all 3 of the declines,

equating to a combined distance of 3.5 km (2.2 mi).

Comparison to Original Design A complete wireframe was constructed for each

decline using 3D Reshaper; this allowed a compari-

son to be made between the original design and the

model of the actual development. Once the wire-

frame had been created it was possible to combine

the 3D design with the CAD models of the equipment

being fitted into the declines to ascertain whether

they were going to fit as designed.

One of the most obvious discrepancies observed

was at the top of decline 2. If the conveyor had

been installed as originally designed, it would have

penetrated the sidewall 1.2 km (0.7 mi) further down

the decline. By superimposing the conveyor into the

decline in the CAD environment it was possible to

adjust the conveyor’s position in a virtual setting

to determine if there was a solution to the prob-

lem without having to undertake costly engineering

work. By doing this it became apparent that if the

conveyor were moved 0.5m to the left it could fit

without the need for any modifications to the tunnel

profile.

About the authors:

Rekha Voralia is Marketing Manager at Leica Geo-

systems Ltd ([email protected]);

James Jobling Purser is Managing Director at 3D MSI.

Based in the United Kingdom, 3D Mine Surveying

International Limited (3D MSI) specialize in under-

ground mine surveying and 3D modeling of survey

data. From site works to data processing and creat-

ing complex 3D drawings, 3D MSI use the latest laser

scanning instrumentation and a specially designed

remote surveying vehicle (RSV) to survey under-

ground operations at high speed. Working closely

with mine surveyors, design engineers, and health

and safety auditors, the resulting data is used to

ensure mine operations become safer and more effi-

cient with modern surveying technology.

To conduct the survey 3D MSI used the Leica Scan-

Station C10, Leica HDS6000, and the Leica HDS6100

High Definition Surveying™ laser scanners. Software

used included Leica Cyclone for collecting and pro-

A Challenging Working Environment

Work in the mining industry is highly challenging,

surveyors not only have to put up with working in

confined conditions but they also have to cope with

a constant flow of traffic dirt and extreme heat.

Any delays in mining activity can result in hundreds

and thousands of pounds in lost income so 3D MSI

(www.3dmsi.co.uk) were under immense pressure to

ensure their work was conducted with speed and

minimal disruption to the daily work of the mine.

Their business depends on reliable, fast, and accu-

rate technology and working with Leica Geosystems

is fundamental to the success of 3D MSI.

The speed and accuracy of this technology can save

mining companies hundreds of thousands of pounds

per contract.

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30 | Reporter 66

Heavy Loads on Weak Foundations

by Kazuhiro Nii and Dr. Yun Zhang

The newly opened D-Runway at Tokyo Interna-

tional Airport Haneda was a complex structure

to build, as it is located on reclaimed land. Heavy

airplanes weighing hundreds of tons each, take

off and land on the newly constructed runway

daily. Continuous monitoring is important for

safe operation, as large movements can influ-

ence the safety of the runway.

D-Runway was constructed on Japan’s first hybrid

structure at the mouth of Tama River in Tokyo Bay,

consisting of reclaimed land, platforms of piers, and

a taxiway, all connected to the present airport. In

the landfill portion, soil needed to be improved and

re-filled to prevent consolidation subsidence caused

by weak foundations. At the pier site, steel pipes

nearly 100 m long were sunk into the sea at specified

intervals. A cover was built around it to keep the river

flowing smoothly.

With this complex structure and construction meth-

od, the connection between landfill/pier as well as

the joints between pier/taxiway were assumed to be

moving and/or to sink due to secular change. Move-

ments must be accurately measured, especially dur-

ing earthquakes, as the amount of movement is one

of the criteria used to assess whether D-Runway is

in a satisfactory condition for safe operation or not.

Installation of the System The monitoring system was designed for mainte-

nance and management of the runway with its com-

plex characteristics. Dozens of GNSS monitoring

points were installed and have been monitoring sec-

ular changes as well as any movements during earth-

quakes since the runway was opened. The system

measures the movements of two relative positions;

sets of two points were installed in these positions

across the joints to measure the movements at the

joints in the different structures.

Antennas were installed at ground level near the run-

way at the landfill and pier sides to avoid interfer-

ence with aircraft operation, and at the taxiway they

were installed at points outside the airport height

restriction.

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A Leica GMX902 GG with an AX1203+ GNSS antenna

were installed on the roof of the Fire Department’s

east building at the side of the airport, rather than

near the runway. The antenna was seismically iso-

lated by fixing a vibration absorber around it so posi-

tioning can be performed even in the middle of an

earthquake. Since antennas were put in the ground,

data reception may be disrupted by aircraft activ-

ity, so the system also collects data using GLONASS

signals to maintain a horizontal accuracy of 10 mm

(0.39 in).

Data Collection & Analysis Monitoring data captured on the runway is trans-

ferred to and analyzed by the server located in

the monitoring control room in the Fire Depart-

ment building. Both Leica GNSS Spider and custom

designed monitoring software for D-Runway, devel-

oped by Leica Geosystems’ partner Geosurf Corp.

(Tokyo, Japan), are running on the server. Spider con-

tinuously analyzes the data at 20 Hz and outputs the

results to the Geosurf software with a GGQ message

uniquely developed by Leica Geosystems. It converts

world geodetic coordinates to plane coordinates

based on the runway, and then uploads collected

data in files to the government server.

The processing system broadly consists of three

tasks: constant airport taxiway and runway monitor-

ing, earthquake monitoring, and post processing of

an earthquake. Constant monitoring performs real

time analysis, transferring LB2 data from monitoring

points to Leica Spider via socket communication, by

TCP/IP. It calculates each median of the 3D coordi-

nates from data at 20 Hz every two hours. It can also

improve the accuracy of the results by getting final

medians after deleting false values caused by IQR

(inter-quartile range). The earthquake monitoring

system can capture the exact start and end times of

earthquakes by receiving electric trigger signals from

the seismometer installed on the runway.

About the authors:

Kazuhiro Nii is Chief Technology Officer and Execu-

tive Vice President at Geosurf Corporation. He has 14

years of experience with GNSS system integration.

([email protected])

Dr. Yun Zhang is Chief System Engineer at Geosurf

Corporation. He is also a professor at the Shanghai

Ocean University. ([email protected])

Tokyo International Airport Haneda

The Haneda Airfield first opened in 1931 on a small

piece of waterfront land at the south end of today's

airport complex. In 1939 the airport's first runway

was extended to 800 m and a second 800 m (2,625 ft)

runway was completed.

In 1964, Japan lifted travel restrictions on its citizens,

causing passenger traffic at the airport to swell. A

new runway and an international terminal were com-

pleted in 1970, but demand continued to outpace

expansion.

The fourth runway, D-Runway, was constructed via

land reclamation to the south of the existing air-

field and was completed in 2010. This runway was

designed to increase Haneda's operational capacity

from 285,000 movements to 407,000 movements

per year, permitting increased frequencies on exist-

ing routes, as well as routes to new destinations.

Source: Wikipedia

Illustrations, descriptions, and technical data are not binding. All rights reserved. Printed in Switzerland. Copyright Leica Geosystems AG, Heerbrugg, Switzerland, 2012. 741803en – V.12 – RVA

Leica Geosystems AGHeinrich-Wild-StrasseCH-9435 HeerbruggPhone +41 71 727 31 31Fax +41 71 727 46 74www.leica-geosystems.com

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Reporter Magazine 66