A Comparative Analysis of Volumetric Stockpile from UAV Photogrammetry and Total Station Data

International Journal of Geoinformatics and Geological Science

© 2019 by SSRG - IJGGS Journal

Volume 6 Issue 2

Year of Publication : 2019

Authors : Akwaowo U. Ekpa, Aniekan E. Eyoh, Okon Ubom

10.14445/23939206/IJGGS-V6I2P105

How to Cite?

Akwaowo U. Ekpa, Aniekan E. Eyoh, Okon Ubom, "A Comparative Analysis of Volumetric Stockpile from UAV Photogrammetry and Total Station Data," SSRG International Journal of Geoinformatics and Geological Science, vol. 6,  no. 2, pp. 29-37, 2019. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23939206/IJGGS-V6I2P105

Abstract:

The efficacy of volume determination in various fields of survey; mining, quarry, hydrographic and engineering fields can’t be overemphasized. Conventional surveying method using Total station has been the natural panacea for volume determination in surveying, despite its lengthy and laborious data collection, and quite risky at site. Although, UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) has been an alternative in surveying, but there have been doubts about its efficiency and accuracy. This project compares the applications of two novel surveying technologies for volume estimation and also compares volumes computed by various software vendors. For this purpose, an appropriate stockpile was chosen, two sets of observations were taken. First, the stockpile was mapped by a UAV flight, and secondly the stockpile was measured using a Total station. The results have been analyzed with respect to different volumes, software, discrepancies between surfaces and project time. After detailed analysis and comparison, it was found that TIN and DEM modelling yields better and accurate results than gridding modelling, making Surfer software not ideal for volume computation, also observed that ArcGIS and AutoCAD Civil3D software is ideal for vector volume measurement, while Agisoft gives a better result for raster volume measurement. Also realized was that for this project Total station volume differs with that of the UAV with 3%. also, this project indicates that using conventional surveying methods such as total station surveying volume estimation is more time consuming and the results are more generalized than using UAV technology where capturing thousands of surface points (i.e. point cloud) takes just seconds. The results show a promising future for UAV in volume estimation.

Keywords:

UAV, TST, Stockpiles, Volume, Ground Control Points (GCPs), Photoscan.

References:

[1] P. Bettina “Volume computation -a comparison of total station versus laser scanner and different software,” University of Gavle, 2006.
[2] N. S. David, M. M. Sammy & M. Musyoka “Improvement of volume estimation of stockpile of earthworks using a concave hull-footprint,” No.5, 2015.
[3] B. H. Hazid “Measuring volume of stockpile using imaging station: university of technology Malaysia,” Geoinformation Science Journal, Vol. 11, No. 1, pp: 15-32, 2011.
[4] C. H. Hugenholtz “Earthwork volumetric with an unmanned aerial vehicle and softcopy photogrammetry.” Journal of Surveying Engineering 141.1: 6014003. CrossRef. Web, 2015
[5] S. Siebert, & J. Teizer “Mobile 3D mapping for surveying earthwork projects using an unmanned aerial vehicle (uav) system,” Automation in Construction, 41, pp. 1–14, 2014.
[6] H. M. Yilmaz “Close range photogrammetry in volume computing,” Experimental Techniques 34, No. 1 48–54, doi:10.1111/j.1747-1567.2009.00476, 2010.
[7] (2013) The Agisoft Website [Online]. Available: http://www.agisoft.com On 2018-10-14
[8] (2018) [Online]. Available: http://www.austechsurvey.com.au on 2018-10-06