More Data Points Provide Increased Accuracy
Traditional ground based methods of stockpile measurement require a worker to climb loose material with a prism pole while occupying and recording coordinates. This method can be time consuming and dangerous. Drones remove this hazardous step, while providing more data points in less time. UAV Imaging is authorized to safely conduct commercial drone operations and can provide accurate, timely results for a fraction of the cost. How does it work? A drone flies an automated grid pattern over the stockpile and captures multiple images from elevated angles. These images are combined using software that compares matching points from multiple images and renders a 3D model from which volumetric data can be extracted. There is no faster, safer, or more accurate method for measuring stockpile volumes.
What is Photogrammetry?
Photogrammetry is the practice of determining geometric properties from photographic images. By capturing the same subject from multiple angles, accurate measurements can be generated. These measurements can generate a point cloud that is used to build 3D models of stockpiles.
Why Ground Control Points?
Ground control points are visually distinct objects of known measurement that appear in the captured images and are rendered in the 3D model. By physically measuring the distances between the GCPs while on site and comparing those values to those returned by the software, a baseline measurement of known value is established. If that baseline measurement is the same in the 3D model, then we can conclude that the remaining measurements are accurate.
