High Exposure was engaged by the main contractor overseeing the remedial repairs of Australian National University in Canberra to assist with assessing damages to a group of structures. The task at hand was a comprehensive roof & facade inspection of a group of buildings to determine their general condition and identify any damage resulting from a previous hailstorm.
Objective:
The primary requirement was to conduct a thorough inspection that would provide high-resolution images of the buildings’ roofs and facades. The client needed detailed visual documentation of any damage, along with precise location data to allow contractors to easily find and repair damages on the physical site. Additionally, ensuring compliance with CASA regulations and maintaining safety protocols were paramount concerns.
Project Execution:
High Exposure implemented a drone-based inspection approach to fulfill the client’s requirements. The strategy involved the following steps:
Georeferenced 2D Map Creation: Before the inspection began, a drone was deployed to create a high-resolution, georeferenced 2D map of the entire area. This map served as a foundational reference in which the zoomed in high resolution images could be overlaid onto.
High-Resolution Image Capture: A drone equipped with high-resolution imaging capabilities was systematically used to capture and record the GPS location of every section of the roofs and facades of each structure. The use of zoom and wide lenses ensured that even tight and difficult-to-access spots were captured in detail.
Safety and Regulatory Compliance: To ensure safety and compliance, measures were taken to inform and restrict individuals from entering the inspection area. This ensured a safe operating environment and adherence to CASA regulations.
Optimised Lighting Conditions: Challenges posed by varying lighting conditions were mitigated by scheduling inspections during optimal periods of natural lighting. Additionally, adjustments in exposure settings were made to compensate and ensure high clarity images could be viewed.
Data Processing and Delivery: Upon completion of image capture, the data was processed, labeled, and uploaded to an online inspection deliverable software. This software provided a 2D map of the entire area with high-resolution images referenced by location points within the map. This enabled easy identification of defects on the structures.
- Analysis: The client was able to efficiently navigate and analyse the entire area within an online platform allowing a very contextual experience. Annotations were able to be made and categorisation of the defect and apply a damage/urgency rating. This could then be easily exported and shared within the remedial team and the asset team at the University.
Benefits & Impacts:
- High-Quality Imagery: The high-resolution images provided detailed visual documentation of the buildings’ condition, enabling the identification of defects with precision.
- Efficiency: The drone-based inspection significantly reduced the time required for assessment. In just two days on-site, the inspection was completed, a task that would have taken weeks or months using traditional methods.
- Cost Savings: The drone-based approach proved to be more cost-effective compared to traditional inspection methods that involve scaffolding and multiple personnel.
- Accurate Quote for Repairs: The detailed inspection data facilitated the accurate assessment of repair needs, enabling the remedial team to provide the university with an informed and precise quote for repairs.
Conclusion:
High Exposure’s drone-based inspection solution not only met but exceeded the client’s requirements for a comprehensive assessment of the university buildings. The high-quality imagery, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of the approach demonstrated its superiority over traditional methods, providing a valuable service to the remedial team and the Australian National University.
Please reach out to High Exposure to discuss your next roof and facade inspection project