Drone Stockpile & Volumetric Surveys

Measure material quickly, consistently and with a permanent survey record

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UAV Surveys provides drone stockpile surveys, volumetric measurement and earthworks monitoring for construction sites, quarries, recycling facilities, aggregate businesses and engineering projects across the UK.Rather than relying on approximate visual assessments or isolated measurements, we capture the complete visible surface of the stockpile or earthworks area and use that data to create a detailed three-dimensional representation of the site. From this, volumes can be calculated, surfaces compared and changes monitored between survey dates.

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Stockpile Volume Calculations

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A UAV survey allows large numbers of stockpiles to be captured during a single site visit.

High-overlap aerial imagery or LiDAR data is collected across the survey area and processed into a dense point cloud and surface model. Individual stockpiles can then be isolated and their volumes calculated against an appropriate base surface.

The result is not simply a number in a spreadsheet. The underlying survey data provides a record of the surface from which that volume was calculated.

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This makes the results considerably easier to review, verify and compare with subsequent surveys.

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Earthworks and Cut & Fill

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The same methodology can be applied to wider earthworks projects.

Existing and proposed surfaces can be compared to determine areas of cut and fill, while repeat surveys provide a straightforward method of measuring how a site is changing over time.

Applications include:

• Stockpile inventory

• Aggregate measurement

• Cut and fill analysis

• Bulk earthworks monitoring

• Excavation measurement

• Material movement

• Progress measurement

• Site level comparison

• As-built surface capture

• Periodic inventory surveys

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Survey Control and Verification

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Where survey-grade positional data is required, UAV Surveys can establish or work with an existing GNSS control network.

Ground control can be incorporated into photogrammetric surveys where appropriate, with independent checkpoints used to provide a separate assessment of the resulting dataset.

This is an important distinction between simply generating a 3D model and carrying out a controlled survey.

Coordinate systems and deliverables are agreed before the survey. UK engineering and land-survey projects can be delivered in OSGB36 British National Grid with appropriate vertical datum requirements where specified.

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Photogrammetry or LiDAR?

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The correct technology depends on the site.

Photogrammetry is highly effective for many open stockpiles, earthworks sites and material yards. It produces detailed surface models while also providing high-resolution visual imagery of the site.

LiDAR may be more appropriate where terrain complexity, vegetation or the characteristics of the project make direct laser measurement advantageous.

UAV Surveys has access to both technologies, so the capture method can be selected around the project rather than forcing every job into the same workflow.

 

Deliverables

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Deliverables can be tailored to your existing survey and engineering workflow and may include:

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• Stockpile volume schedules

• Cut and fill calculations

• Point clouds

• Digital Surface Models

• Digital Terrain Models where appropriate

• Orthomosaic imagery

• Contours

• Survey reports

• CAD-compatible data

• 3D surface models

• LAS/LAZ point-cloud data

• DXF/DWG information where specified

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Other formats can be agreed at quotation stage.

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Repeat Surveys

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The real value of UAV surveying becomes particularly apparent where a site needs to be measured repeatedly.

Once an appropriate methodology and control framework have been established, subsequent surveys can follow a consistent capture and processing workflow. This provides comparable datasets that can be used to monitor material movement, construction progress and changes in site levels over time. Weekly, monthly, quarterly and project-stage surveys can be arranged depending on the requirement.

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A Better Record of the Site

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Traditional spot measurements tell you what was measured at selected locations.A UAV survey captures millions of measurements or observations across the visible survey surface.That provides considerably more information about the shape of the stockpile or earthworks area and creates a digital record that can be revisited if additional information is required later in the project.

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Built for Survey and Engineering Workflows

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UAV Surveys specialises in geospatial data capture. Our work is intended to integrate with professional survey, engineering and construction workflows, with the capture methodology, control, processing and deliverables considered as parts of the same survey rather than separate activities.

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Request a Volumetric Survey

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If you need stockpiles, earthworks or material volumes measured, send us a site plan, approximate area and details of the outputs you require.

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For repeat surveys, we can also develop a consistent capture and reporting methodology for the duration of the project.

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UAV Surveys Ltd 02381 184 2612 info@uav-surveys.co.uk