The service portfolio we offer and the software products we develop are based on some of the most disrupting digital technologies of our time. We employ camera-equipped drones (UAS) and photogrammetric 3D-reconstruction techniques for structural scanning, sometimes supplemented by laser scanning, to provide highly accurate georeferenced building models through point clouds, textured meshes, BIM and FEA models. We perform anomaly detection in image data based on feature recognition methods from Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques such as deep neural networks. Data fusion and interpretation is performed with data obtained from sensor-based structural health monitoring (SHM) technologies for which we have developed Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) using microcontrollers and smartphone devices.

Further, numerical simulation techniques such as Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to determine the nonlinear mechanical behaviour of structures are employed for static as well as dynamic problems in the context of structural analysis and safety assessment.

Data provenance and storage is facilitated by employing Building Information Modelling concepts. Most of the data processing and analysis is deployed on high-performance computing (HPC) hardware utilising multi-core CPU as well as GPU processing to suit the specifics of the software implementations. Solutions for visual analytics and remote virtual inspections are available for Virtual Reality environments such as Head Mounted Displays as well as Multi-user VR systems and on-site inspection support is developed using Augmented Reality concepts. Access to geometric and condition data is provided through a cloud platform.

The core components of our digital assessment framework are described in this White Paper (visit sciencedirect.com).

Data Acquisition Equipment

Unmanned Arial Systems (UAS)

Data acquisition on structures with a professional flight system of the type Intel Falcon 8+

  • ptimized flight system for the survey and data acquisition on structures
  • extremely wind-stable platform, even with strong wind gusts
  • 360° Field of view of the camera
  • flexible payload concept with professional system cameras with interchangeable lenses and thermographie cameras
  • GPS and altitude-based as well as manual flight mode for outdoor and indoor flights
  • 3D flight planning for automated aerial surveys and data generation on large structures

Documentation of work processes and construction progress with DJI Mavic 2 Pro

  • Highly dynamic quadrocopter for aerial photo and video (4K)

Cameras

  • System camera Sony Alpha 7R (36 MP) full frame
  • System camera Sony Alpha 7R III (42 MP) und IV (61 MP) full frame

Laser Scanner

  • 2D-Profile scanner Z+F PROFILER® 9012
  • 3D-Laser scanner Z+F IMAGER® 5016

Tacheometer und GNSS

  • Leica Nova MS60 Multistation
  • Leica GS 18T

Cooperations

Bauhaus-Universität Weimar
Fakultät Bauingenieurwesen
Institut für Konstruktiven Ingenieurbau
Versuchstechnische Einrichtung (visit VTE website)