Drone Technology in Architecture, Engineering and Construction

CHAPTER 3Drone Data Visualization as a Full Cycle Tool

Drones are full cycle tools for AEC (architecture, engineering, and construction) industry projects. From start up, development, construction and post-operation, aerial imagery, videos, photogrammetry, and data provide unparalleled information on existing conditions, design review, on-site progress, and use of a project location. This chapter provides an outline of drone services and data and where they integrate with projects. Case studies and project examples will accompany many of the types of products, deliverables, datasets, and uses provided by a drone through various project types and phases (Figure 3.1).

Advantages

Understanding the fundamental advantages of utilizing a drone helps determine the type of project use and deliverables. Five of the fundamental advantages of using drones in AEC projects are discussed below.

Affordable. First, drones have a low cost of entry for a firm to implement, especially compared with other ways to collect similar or even less detailed data. The exact budget for implementing a drone program is reviewed in Chapter 4. Typically, the ROI is pennies on the dollar to purchase, learn to fly, and become compliant with a drone. While it is worth noting that there is a wide range in the price of drones, even lower cost options can deliver high quality datasets (Figure 3.2).

Flexible. Drones are flexible tools. In many cases, a project manager or staff can bring a drone with them to capture ...