Drone Technology in Architecture, Engineering and Construction

Drone Technology in Architecture, Engineering and Construction

by Daniel Tal, Jon Altschuld
Released February 2021
Publisher(s): Wiley
ISBN: 9781119545880

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Book description

A start-to-finish roadmap on incorporating drone technology into your AEC firm workflow 

Drone Technology in Architecture, Engineering and Construction: A Strategic Guide to Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operation and Implementation is the only process-driven, step-by-step handbook to implement drone technology in AEC workflows. It provides a comprehensive and practical roadmap for architecture, engineering, and construction firms to incorporate drones into their design and construction processes. 

The book offers extensive information on drone data processing, and includes guidance on how to acquire, manipulate and use the various data types produced from drone flights. The creation of three-dimensional data and visualizations are covered in-depth. Drone Technology reviews how to select and fly drones based on data needs and initial costs, and how to collect and maintain required flight logs, licenses, and permits.  

Drone Technology uses several real-world project examples that demonstrate and explain how drones can be used to collect: 

·         Full-color orthorectified imagery 

·         Accurate 3D point cloud and mesh models 

·         Topographic contours 

·         Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) 

The project examples also describe how these datasets can be integrated with 3D models of proposed conditions, photos, and other project datasets. 

Drone Technology in Architecture, Engineering and Construction is an essential guide for a wide variety of professionals, from civil engineers to landscape architects. It provides information on professional use of drones for those just considering the technology, to those already flying drones professionally. It is an invaluable guide for anyone working in the design or construction of buildings and landscapes.  

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright
  4. Acknowledgments
  5. PART 1: Introduction to Drone Practice
    1. CHAPTER 1: How to Use This Book
      1. Drones for Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC)
      2. The Method Behind This Book
      3. Who Can Use This Book?
      4. The Book Road Map
      5. About the Authors
    2. CHAPTER 2: A Paradigm Shift in Viewing the World
      1. The Breadth of Drone Applications Is Just Beginning to Be Discovered
      2. The Risks of Drone Technology
      3. Why Use Drones?
      4. The Bottom Line on Drones
    3. CHAPTER 3: Drone Data Visualization as a Full Cycle Tool
      1. Advantages
      2. Defining Drone Data and Visualization
  6. PART 2: Getting off the Ground
    1. CHAPTER 4: Buy In
      1. Return on Investment (ROI)
      2. Rate of Return (ROR)
      3. Value Added Services
      4. Training Costs
      5. Permissions Costs
    2. CHAPTER 5: Getting Started
      1. AEC Drone Standard Features
      2. Drone Packages
      3. Applications and Software
      4. Desktop Software
      5. Computer Hardware
    3. CHAPTER 6: Documentation, Permissions, and License
      1. Professional Etiquette for Professional Practice
      2. The Legal Rules
      3. Part 107
      4. Permissions – LAANC
      5. Permissions – State, Agency, County, and City Regulations
      6. Permissions – DJI FlySafe and Geo Zones
      7. Insurance
      8. Documentation
    4. CHAPTER 7: Best Practices for Flying Drones
      1. The Flying Mindset
      2. Drone Flying Apps
      3. Automated Flying
  7. PART 3: Acquiring and Working with Drone Data
    1. CHAPTER 8: Imagery and Videos
      1. Photo and Video Quality
      2. Using DJI Standard Apps
      3. Image Geotag
      4. Litchi Flight Planning Software
      5. Working with Drone Photos
      6. Working with Drone Videos
    2. CHAPTER 9: Photogrammetry
      1. What Is Photogrammetry?
      2. Drones and Photogrammetry
      3. Photogrammetry Accuracy and Precision
      4. Ground Control Points
      5. Collecting Data
      6. RTK Drones, Ground Control Pads
      7. Processing the Data
      8. Processing Steps
      9. Photogrammetry Project Comparisons
      10. Photogrammetry Hardware
      11. Photogrammetry Software
    3. CHAPTER 10: Working with 3D Models
      1. Point Cloud versus 3D Mesh
      2. Working with Point Clouds and 3D Meshes
      3. Working with and Manipulating the 3D Mesh
    4. CHAPTER 11: The Future of UAVs
      1. Final Word and Looking Ahead
  8. Index
  9. End User License Agreement

Product information

  • Title: Drone Technology in Architecture, Engineering and Construction
  • Author(s): Daniel Tal, Jon Altschuld
  • Release date: February 2021
  • Publisher(s): Wiley
  • ISBN: 9781119545880