Assessing the Technology Used by UAVs in Data Acquisition on Construction Sites

Abstract

The question this thesis intends to answer is whether General Contractors (GCs) can indeed benefit from the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in the construction process. With the technology of UAVs, cameras, thermographic scanners, and laser scanners with Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), this research will investigate how 3D Building Information Models (BIMs) can be created for real time project management decision making. UAVs with camera and laser scanning abilities will be researched through a comprehensive study by determining where the current field of research is and where it is headed. Cameras being used for photogrammetric 3D models have the ability to deduce the current status of construction activities in a precise and accurate manner. The photogrammetric process gives the GC a snap shot of construction activities to facilitate project management decisions based on the potential for a 4D schedule relative to the BIM. LiDAR devices create a more complex and detailed point cloud for the higher quality 3D BIM. The use of aerial thermography to look at the building envelope and create a 3D image will be investigated, as well. Lastly, the combination of photogrammetry and LiDAR will be investigated for their accuracy and usefulness within case studies presented by others. Interviews conducted with industry professionals are also presented in order to ascertain the current status and opinion of UAVs in the private GC sector for current as-built 3D BIMs.