The Rise of Drones in Construction
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), or simply referred to as drones, have found their way into various industries. The growth of drone technology has brought about new possibilities and innovations in sectors such as agriculture, photography, delivery services, and even construction.
Construction sites are known for their fast-paced and complex nature, with several moving parts that must be closely monitored for safety and quality control purposes. Drones have now become a valuable asset in the construction industry, enabling contractors and engineers to detect and manage construction progress, monitor job sites, and even perform site inspections through high-resolution aerial imagery.
With drones helping construction companies and engineers achieve their targets at every stage – from planning to asset management – the construction industry is set to enter a new age of efficiency by leveraging the power of drone technology.
Benefits of Drones in Bridge Construction
Bridge construction requires a great deal of preparation, planning, and supervision to ensure that the final structure meets all safety requirements and is built to last for many years. By incorporating drones in the construction process, there is a multitude of benefits that construction teams can derive, including the following:
1. Improved Site Surveying
Before construction of any bridge can begin, land surveying is essential to determine the ideal location, identify any geographic hurdles or limitations, and ensure that the construction processes align with the area’s regulatory requirements. With drones, land surveying is simplified as they can cover large areas quickly and provide high-resolution aerial images that can be used in creating topographical maps, 3D models, and digital elevation models (DEMs).
These images help bridge engineers to gather information to accurately position bridge foundations, piers, and abutments. This information helps project stakeholders to analyze the site’s integrity and ensure that the planned structure will be both safe and stable.
2. Improved Inspection Processes
Drones have the capability to significantly improve inspection processes for bridge construction. They can capture high-quality images and video footage of the ongoing works at different heights and angles, which can be viewed remotely or in real-time by project team members. This allows project stakeholders to better coordinate their efforts and make informed decisions based on the available data.
By conducting a fly-over of the construction site, drones can identify issues such as cracks or damages to an ongoing structure, enabling quick implementation of proactive measures to prevent further damage. In addition, drone-enabled bridge inspections reduce the need for human inspectors to access difficult to reach bridge areas, enhancing safety and saving time and costs.
3. Enhancing Collaboration and Coordination
Construction projects can be incredibly challenging to manage due to the scope and complexity of the work. With drones, construction teams can efficiently collaborate and communicate by sharing images and videos, keeping everyone involved up to speed with project progress, and changing site conditions.
Drones make it easy to share key information required for successful project coordination and execution. They provide a transparent view of the site progress, enabling project stakeholders to identify areas that require additional resources in real-time, optimizing maintenance schedules and swift decision-making.
Real-Life Examples of Drones in Bridge Construction
Drones have already been used in several high-profile bridge construction projects worldwide. Let’s take a look at some successful examples of how drones have been deployed in bridge construction around the world:
The Unusual Sight of a Drone’s View of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge
Construction of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge was one of the most complex projects of its kind. The 55km-long bridge comprises of several tunnels and bridges, providing one of the longest overwater crossings globally, linking Hong Kong, Macau, and Zhuhai.
Construction of the bridge employed a vast array of technologies and tools, including drones. The drones captured detailed aerial views of the construction site, highlighting key areas that required urgent attention. By analyzing the images, the project team could better plan and execute the remaining construction work, ensuring a smooth operation.
The Manitoba Infrastructure Project – Canada’s First Drone Inspection
In 2018, the Manitoba Infrastructure Project used drones for the first time to inspect the Redwood Bridge over the Assiniboine River. The drones captured aerial images of the bridge, providing a close-up view of the bridge’s underside, which can be difficult to inspect using traditional means.
The high-resolution images captured enabled project stakeholders to identify potential issues and hazards on the bridge structure that required action. By leveraging drone technology, project teams for the Manitoba Infrastructure Project were able to efficiently pinpoint potential problem areas, saving both time and money in the process.
The Djibouti-Ethiopia Railway Project – A Scenic Build with Drones
The Djibouti-Ethiopia railway project is one of Ethiopia’s major infrastructure projects. The first phase of the construction project comprised of a 738 km railway line linking the two nations, traversing difficult terrain and climate conditions.
The use of drones in this project significantly reduced the resources required to inspect critical infrastructures and track progress, allowing for efficient monitoring of the construction process.
Regulatory and Ethical Considerations When Incorporating Drones in Construction
Although the use of drones in construction has brought about many benefits, there are ethical and regulatory considerations that must be taken into account when incorporating drones in construction. Here are some common considerations surrounding drone use in the construction industry:
1. Security and Privacy Concerns
Drones can be an invasive technology when used improperly. They can hover around private properties or be used to record sensitive information without consent, leading to potential security breaches and invasion of privacy concerns.
Therefore, it is essential to have strict drone usage policies in place that ensure the privacy and security of individuals, properties, or structures surrounding the construction sites.
2. Regulation and Legal Compliance
Regulations surrounding drone use are regularly updated to match the innovations in drone technology. Construction companies must ensure that their drone use complies with current regulations and local laws. Failure to comply with the regulations could lead to fines or other forms of legal action.
3. Responsibility and Liability
The legal responsibility for any incidents or accidents resulting from drone use falls on the drone operator, the project team, and the construction company. Construction teams must have contingency plans and adequate insurance coverage for possible drone-related incidents, including damage to properties or injuries to workers or members of the public.
Conclusion
Incorporating drones in bridge construction provides several benefits, leading to efficient progress while ensuring quality control. Their versatility and in-depth inspection abilities have revolutionized the construction industry, making it easier to handle complex projects and achieve more in less time.
As drone technology continues to evolve, their adoption into the construction industry will only continue to gain momentum – benefiting both construction professionals and communities alike. By fully understanding the ethical and regulatory considerations surrounding their use, construction companies can optimize their operations, keep pace with industry standards and offer quality projects.
