Survey Methods

Large infrastructure assets often contain areas that are difficult for engineers to access. These may be located at height, requiring costly scaffolding or exposing personnel to working-at-height risks, or underground within confined spaces such as tunnels and vertical access shafts. CCI can support these inspections through comprehensive photographic data collection.

Aerial Surveys

• Operations Manual and a small fleet of drones. This enables us to carry out commercial drone surveys and plan each survey safely and effectively to meet the specific requirements of the asset.

At present, we conduct the following types of survey:

• Structure surveys – collecting data on major infrastructure assets such as bridges and dams.
• Building surveys – collecting data on roofs and external structures.
• Land surveys – collecting data across areas of land.

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​Data collected during these surveys can also be analysed using AssetScan and used to create 3D photogrammetric models.

Remote Inspection: Tunnels and Culverts

CCI owns and operates a range of remote inspection vehicles designed for use in confined environments. These vehicles can be adapted to meet the requirements of each project, including the addition of extra lighting, cameras and specialist instruments. The units have been tested and validated for operation at distances of up to 500 metres from the point of entry.
Examples of the data we can collect include:
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• Photographic data – this can be used to create a 3D model of the structure or analysed using AssetScan to identify signs of deterioration.
• Profile data – in tunnels, we can capture the tunnel profile using a rotating LiDAR instrument.

Payloads can be adapted to meet specific project requirements.

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Remote Inspection: ​Shafts

CCI maintains a fleet of cable- and winch-lowered robotic systems for unmanned access to deep shafts. The platforms vary according to the size of the space and can accommodate shaft diameters ranging from 95 mm to more than 10 m.

The modular system can support a range of camera technologies and incorporates lighting to provide suitable illumination of the shaft lining. Additional instrument payloads, such as LiDAR, can also be fitted where required.
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The resulting imagery can be used to create photogrammetric models of the space, while the data can be analysed automatically using AssetScan.

​Submersible and Waterborne Surveys

CCI has experienced ROV operators who can navigate low-visibility environments and collect the required data effectively. CCI is also developing unmanned surface vessels capable of carrying survey payloads for specialist applications.
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Typical survey applications include:

• Offshore infrastructure
• Port infrastructure
• Bridge piers
• Tanks
• Dam infrastructure and superstructures

Manual Surveys: Confined Spaces

CCI uses a range of additional survey methods for underground and confined-space environments. For example, manual survey techniques can be used to capture comprehensive photographic datasets in the following settings:
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• Service reservoirs – once the reservoir has been drained and cleaned, an operator can enter the space to collect high-resolution photographic data from the walls, columns and soffits of the roof slabs using bespoke lighting.
• Tunnels – CCI can deploy a survey trolley fitted with high-resolution cameras to support data collection in large tunnels.
• Galleries – CCI can deploy a smaller survey trolley within drainage and inspection galleries in large structures. The vehicle can be fitted with specialist camera equipment designed for confined environments.

Data Products

Once data has been collected, it must be post-processed. Depending on the techniques used, this can require significant computing resources. CCI is currently developing a range of data products. These include collating survey data and producing 3D models for use in industry-standard software, as well as generating heat maps using machine learning to identify features of concern and highlight areas of a structure that may require maintenance.

​Photogrammetry

CCI creates 3D models using collected photographic and video data. This allows images to be mapped accurately to the target structure and supports the production of several key outputs for engineers and asset managers:

• Orthomosaics – flattened, stitched images of structural surfaces that can be incorporated into engineering drawings.
• Defects and features – once the data has been analysed using AssetScan, identified defects and features can be mapped directly onto the surface of the structure.

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CCI uses industry-standard photogrammetry software, and the resulting outputs are compatible with most modern CAD and BIM platforms.

AssetScan

AssetScan is CCI’s in-house machine vision application for detecting defects and other features of interest on structures. It is specifically designed for use with large image datasets, such as those captured during photogrammetric surveys.

The application can be used to map features across large structures and support automated change detection across repeat surveys.
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Please visit the AssetScan page for further information.