UAV + BIM: Incorporation of Photogrammetric Techniques in Architectural Projects with Building Information Modeling Versus Classical Work Processes

Abstract

The current computer technology facilitates the processing of large volumes of information in architectural design teams, in parallel with recent advances in-flight automation in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) along with lower costs, facilitates their use to capture aerial photographs and obtain orthophotographs and 3D models of relief and terrain textures. With these technologies, 3D models can be produced that allow different geometric configurations of the distribution of construction elements on the ground to be analyzed. This article presents the process of implementation in a terrain integrated into the early stages of architectural design. A methodology is proposed that covers the detailed capture of terrain, the relationship with the architectural design environment, and its implementation on the plot. As a novelty, an inverse perspective to the remaining disciplines is presented, from the inside of the object to the outside. The proposed methodology for the use of UAVs integrates terrain capture, generation of the 3D mesh, superimposition of environmental realities and architectural design using building information modeling (BIM) technologies. In addition, it represents the beginning of a line of research on the implementation of the plot and the layout of foundations using UAVs. The results obtained in the study carried out in three different projects comparing traditional technologies with the integration of UAVs + BIM show a clear improvement in the second option. The use of new technologies applied to the execution and control of work not only improves accuracy but also reduces errors and saves time, which undoubtedly indicates significant savings in costs and deviations in the project.

New Perspectives for BIM Usage in Transportation Infrastructure Projects

“…Regarding the augmented reality, photogrammetry is a method able to produce models of precision similar to the point clouds [46] when the resolution of the captured image is high enough because the deviation will be in the range of two pixels. In these cases, it is a suitable methodology for research, documentation, and environment characterization and is faster and less expensive compared to the sophisticated and hardly operable LIDAR equipment.…”

Remote Indoor Construction Progress Monitoring Using Extended Reality

“…The depth camera has been employed for the surveillance and assessment of construction sites, tracking of materials, equipment, and labor [23], safety monitoring [24], and reconstruction [2,18]. Recently, advanced technologies such as robotics and drones have been proposed in the construction site to aid or replace workers which need real time remote monitoring technology that can be integrated with its own system such as facade pick-and-place using robot arm [25], brick laying using drone [26], humanoid robotics [27], and integrating site terrain with BIM model [28].…”

Toward Life Cycle Sustainability in Infrastructure: The Role of Automation and Robotics in PPP Projects

“…The analysis of massive amounts of data gathered in operation systems during construction and maintenance allows for a transition from "automated monitoring" to "intelligent monitoring" decision-making supported by artificial intelligence and data mining. For instance, a combination of aerial vehicles and BIM can enable data collections for measurements and representation models to support decision-making throughout the life cycle [63].…”

“…Generally, the strengths in on-site tasks stems from their workload capacity, their accuracy in repetitive tasks and the flexible programming [64]. For instance, a combination of BIM and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) recordings can visualize potential landscape integration, orientation and composition of future facilities, and spatial impacts on conservation and biodiversity in the early design phase to facilitate construction feasibility studies [63]. Their high mobility and low costs make UAVs a suitable tool for seismic risk assessment, disaster response and flood monitoring [62].…”