Topographic & Drone Surveys
Integrated Waste Management Facility

Supporting Large-Scale Construction with Cutting Edge Surveys

Survey Solutions completed a series of surveys for Indaver as part of their development of an integrated waste management facility near Braintree, Essex. This large-scale project involves the excavation of a 46,300 sqm site in preparation for construction. Our work on this site began in 2021, followed by a second visit in 2023, and most recently a third set of surveys in October 2024. These surveys encompassed both topographic and aerial assessments to provide Indaver with comprehensive data to support their construction efforts.

The topographic surveys provided detailed “as-built” drawings and verified excavation volumes, ensuring accurate payments to contractors clearing the site. The outputs were delivered as DWG AutoCAD drawings and PDF files, and played a critical role in monitoring the progress and precision of the excavation work.

The drone surveys, on the other hand, produced highly detailed orthomosaic imagery, allowing Indaver’s project managers to zoom in on specific areas, take measurements, and maintain detailed records of the project’s progress. This combination of data allowed for seamless integration into their project tracking and documentation processes.

Challenges and methodical execution

In 2023, we were tasked with surveying the entire site, which included a quarry, cement factory, surrounding roads, and a bridge. By 2024, the focus shifted to aerial surveys of five significant sections of the site and topographical surveys of two sections. The 2024 survey was completed over three days, requiring two surveyors on-site. However, before starting, a thorough risk assessment was conducted to address potential hazards and obstacles, including airspace considerations and the height of cranes operating at the site. This detailed planning enabled us to carefully coordinate the drone’s flight path and ensure safe operations above these obstacles.

Health and safety was a critical component of this project, as the surveys were conducted while the site was fully operational. Our surveyors completed on-site risk assessments and collaborated closely with Indaver’s health and safety team, as well as with multiple site operators, to ensure their work would not interfere with ongoing operations. We utilised a 7-kilo drone, one of the safest models on the market, equipped with proximity sensors to avoid obstacles and a 48-megapixel camera capable of capturing high-resolution imagery from a safe altitude above cranes.

The aerial survey outputs provided Indaver’s project managers with visual records of the site, offering a clear view of earthwork progress and enabling detailed measurements. Where dense vegetation on steep banks prevented direct topographical readings, we merged aerial survey data with our ground-based measurements to deliver a complete and accurate survey. This integration ensured that the client received a thorough and reliable depiction of the site’s topography.

Survey Solutions prides on its expertise in large-scale infrastructure projects. Our team of qualified drone pilots are certified to operate drones weighing up to 25 kilograms and fully compliant with Civil Aviation Authority regulations for remotely piloted aircraft systems. With this combination of experience, technology and commitment to safety, we deliver exceptional results tailored to the needs of our clients.

Topographic Survey Deliverables for Survey Solutions project - Integrated Waste Management.
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Survey Solutions. They were very reliable, produced very detailed Risk Assessment Method Statements, and completed the job very efficiently for us.
 
Anthony Warder, Indaver’s Civil Project Manager

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