Land survey & measured building survey with a drone

On Tuesday this week (22nd Oct), we were carrying out a land survey & measured building survey with a drone. We were on-site updating our 2017 topographical survey in preparation for a new planning application. The survey used a DJI Matrice 300 with a P1 & a GeoSlam scanner as payloads. The survey was an integrated survey that included a measured building survey, traditional ground-based land surveying and a drone mapping survey

Using a drone allowed us to survey data that wasn’t visible from the ground. This was particularly important for this job. Accurately knowing all of the nooks and crannies of the roof structures was a critical element of the survey. The site was first surveyed in 2017 for a topographical survey and subsequent planning application. The GeoSlam scanner was used inside and outside the building, from the air and from the ground to get comprehensive data. The combined data will now be used to produce a whole site textured model, interior walkthroughs, BIM model and cad plans.

3d model site overview

3d model close-up view

Contact us for more information and to find out how a drone land survey can help you get planning permission. As the project progresses we will share some of the extra detail and the deliverables below.

Measured building surveys with a drone give clients improved deliverables

From an output perspective, it may be that you just want the dense point cloud data, a Revit model, or full cad drawings for the elevations and floor plans. We can supply the rich data you need in many formats to integrate with your existing system like Civil3D, Revit, ArchiCAD, RECAP, Microstation etc.

Scanning from the air and the ground, inside and outside

Measured building survey with a drone.

Scanning from the ground and the air just adds so much value for us as surveyors. Above and below you can see 3 separate data sets for the GeoSlam survey data. Left to right: Ground scan points; Drone scan points; combined ground and air scan points; and the internal scan data.

Without the drone photogrammetry or the drone scan data it is almost impossible to accurately survey hidden roof details from the ground. A building doesn’t need to be particularly small to start having details hidden from the ground. As buildings and structures increase in height these data gaps or shadows become more pronounced.

Final deliverables

BIM Model: 3D Revit delivered to the client as an IFC file for use in ArchiCAD

Drone mapping: contoured topographical survey

Drone mapping: view of the main site