Drones in Civil Engineering Projects : Areas of Application With a Focus On Photogrammetry

Abstract: Drone technology has changed the way people work in construction and civil engineering activities. The aim of this report is to investigate how drones can and should be used in the best possible way. Autodesk ReCap Photo and Agisoft Metashape Professional are the two photogrammetry software programs that have been compared. The results show that Metashape can create more accurate maps and 3D models, but requires more powerful hardware to operate and takes longer time to learn. ReCap Photo is easier to handle but produces maps and 3D models that are slightly less accurate. Interviews have been conducted with experts, and they highlight that the EU regulations governing drone activity pose a great challenge for optimal usage of drones in construction and civil engineering. Assuming that drones are operated in a safe manner, they unlock significant potential gains with respect to environment, work environment and economy. Some of the most important areas of application are volumetric measurements of gravel, inspections in high altitude environments and regular mapping of construction sites.