De-vegetated Photogrammetry Model for Geotechnical Inspection
It is critically important for geotechnical engineers to complete robust inspections and assessments, and in order to do so, they need the best data possible. Photogrammetry is an amazing tool to provide a rich visualisation, scale accurate and geo-located digital twin of a site for close visual inspections and assessment.
However, as most engineers are aware, one of the known limitations of photogrammetry is its inability to penetrate vegetation, and this is where LiDAR becomes an ideal complementary tool for geotechnical surveys. However LiDAR can be an expensive addition to a project scope where budget may not allow, and requires an additional post processing workflow which includes additional costs and time.
Over rock exposures, escarpments and other sparsely vegetated areas of interest, Diospatial has developed an innovative approach to the data capture and processing workflow to overcome this issue. Using expert drone piloting and a specialised capture methodology we can capture terrain imagery underneath sparse vegetation. Then using specialist photogrammetry processing techniques, the resulting 3D mesh can be classified to create “layers” in the model and provide 3D visualisations of the site, both with and without vegetation.
This enables engineers to complete their inspection and assessment with an additional layer of data, in a cost effective and timely manner.
Engineers can then take measurements and closely inspect the underlying terrain to identify any geotechnical risks or geohazards that may be present, which would ordinarily have required rope access inspection crews or a detailed LiDAR survey. Ultimately saving time, costs and reducing risk by replacing assumptions with facts.
Check out this video where Diospatial has applied this technology to a few of our recent projects.
Do you have a site or project that would benefit from a de-vegetated photogrammetry model?
![De-vegetated photogrammetry model shown with and without sparse vegetation side-by-side](https://fgdiodrone.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Thredbo-Valley_Reality-Model-side-by-side-with-text-v2-1400x493.png)