What is Building Information Modeling?

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a tool used by architects, engineers and other constructors for creating and managing data during the design, construction, and rehabilitation of assets and structures. By integrating different levels of data, technologists can generate digital representations of project sites.

Why is BIM an important part of design, inspection and construction processes?

BIM is integral for streamlining the inspection, design and construction workflows. Digital reconstructions of assets and job sites can be used by different project stakeholders to design, manage and maintain different elements of the construction process.

How are drones used for BIM?

Drones are becoming a more prevalent tool on Canadian job sites and are used for a wide variety of applications. Using a drone to scan the exterior of buildings, assets or other infrastructure allows architects and engineers the ability to efficiently capture data sets for the purpose of 3D and 2D digital reconstruction. Typically, these kinds of scans occur from the ground, from a lift, or from a crane; however, by deploying a drone, construction projects are able to acquire high quality data that was previously extremely expensive to capture.

What are the processed outputs from drone data?

Depending on project requirements, an experienced technologist can create registered point clouds, 3D models and orthomosaic images from data sets captured by a drone. By adding this additional layer of data to the BIM workflow, architects, engineers, and inspectors now have access to high resolution digital outputs that were previously extremely expensive to generate.

What is Aerial Mapping?

Aerial mapping is a method of collecting geomatics or other imagery by using aircraft equipped with high end sensors. The data sets that can be collected are wide ranging and include aerial photography, LIDAR, remote sensing (ie. infrared). Through the process of photogrammetry, these captured data sets can be used to generate detailed maps of urban and rural environments.

Who benefits from Aerial Mapping?

Traditionally, aerial mapping was a service and industry that was available for the purpose of large scale surveying. Today, drone based aerial mapping is a growing sector that can be used for roofing inspections, infrared (thermal) inspections, planning and development, as well as event planning (concert venues). Construction sites can take advantage of Timeline Mapping in which scanning is conducted at different stages of the project to generate detailed maps at important milestones.

What can drone Aerial Mapping produce?

Drone captured data sets can generate a wide variety of outputs depending on the application. Typically, 2D maps and 3D point clouds can be created and used by many different industries. These high resolution and accurate maps are an essential tool for constructors, engineers, surveyors and other industry professionals.

From these outputs, engineers can complete accurate volumetric calculations, which are an essential component for industries such as mining, agriculture and forestry, as well as measure accurate distances for a wide range of industrial and civil applications.

Can Aerial Mapping data be integrated to BIM workflows?

Aerial mapping outputs can be integrated with BIM workflows throughout multiple stages. Depending on the scan that was conducted and project requirements, aerial mapping can be used for multiple applications throughout a construction project. Whether drones are used for quality controlling trade and contractor work on site, or for generating accurate scaled maps of a proposed excavation site, aerial mapping can expedite access to time critical information that can save money on any job site.