Services
Dimensional Survey
Spatial Geomatics provides dimensional control consultancy services to the petrochemical, Engineering and nuclear industries for the purposes of dimensional control audits, validating build quality, ensuring first time fit of structures and saving time and money for the client.
Our surveyors use precise surveying instruments and purpose-written software to accurately measure existing flanges and pipe routes for hook-up and replacements:
- Accurate tie-point coordinates to raised face of flange,
- Flange angulations in two planes, Bolt hole rotations from vertical or grid,
- Red line mark-ups of design drawings,
- Check fabricated spools in workshop before shipping to ensure compliance with design
Drone Surveys
Until fairly recently, the detailed visual inspection of tall or potentially dangerous structures and inaccessible areas of land was a difficult and usually expensive operation, often requiring specialised access platforms or scaffolding, or the use of specially trained rope-access technicians.
Now, using the latest unmanned aerial vehicle (UAVs) and drone technology, Spatial Geomatics can provide a high quality mapping and aerial survey service for just about any area or project.
Safely able access hard to reach places, our industrial UAVs can conduct low altitude, high resolution aerial surveys more safely and at a reduced cost compared to rope, boat or manned aviation.
Environment Survey
The costal environment is an important asset and its condition needs to be carefully monitored in order to improve the understanding of costal processes and mechanisms. Understanding these processes can lead to improved management decisions and policies. Also, it’s not just the ever changing topography of costal cliffs that need constant monitoring, but also the profile of the beach and the extent and type of vegetation.
When surveying coastal areas where data collection is often required between tides or when its is necessary to measure change in a short timeframe, or immediately after significant events such as major storms, time is of the essence.
To overcome some of these issues, especially in corridor environments such as coastlines where data capture is required along a narrow strip, Global Position System (GPS) is mounted on a vehicle in order to increase the mobility. This in turn increases the speed at which GPS points are record.
GPS
As a progressive survey company, Spatial Geomatics constantly monitors and utilises the latest surveying technology. GPS offers a complete solution for advance surveying including real time kinematic (RTK) and static surveying.
The Trimble GPS combines advanced receiver technology and a proven system design to provide maximum accuracy and productivity. The Trimble GPS can be used as a wireless base station or rover.
Trimble VRS Now is based on a real RTK network solution; not just a handful of reference stations. The networking process ensures best quality, location independent correction data.
With this technology we can carry out multiple surveying applications such as topographic surveys and setting out.
Hydrographic Survey
Spatial Geomatics is equipped to carry out in-shore hydrographic surveys of reservoirs, lakes, canals, rivers and estuaries. Surveys are primarily undertaken with an array of echo-sounders and GPS equipment.
Our hydrographic survey staff are all fully trained in boat handling and safety techniques and the boats are all launched from trailers. Using the latest processing and communication equipment the data gathered on site is processed by on-board computer and a real-time display of the survey data obtained. The processed data can then be transmitted back to the office for checking and plot production. Final results can be presented as coloured contour plots, sections, or full three-dimensional models for manipulation. Volumes can be calculated against previous surveys, design surfaces or dredging profiles.
Laser Scanning
Our surveyors have considerable experience in the use of 3D laser scanning technology. We can save our customers hours of costly shut-down time, eliminate expensive human errors, and reduce or completely eliminate the inherent geometrical problems associated with new or retrofit design and construction projects.
Our surveyors and engineers are able to share knowledge on a continuous basis, fine-tuning our surveying approach to meet the needs of each project. Documentation can also be easily transferred, eliminating manual check procedures.
Using an advanced high-speed laser surveying tool, our surveyors are able to capture vast amounts of coordinate and image data. The scanner ‘records’ a 3D picture of a site, structure or construction by measuring angles and distances to points on visible surfaces. It also records the colour intensity of these points and can be set to measure higher or lower levels of detail and complexity.
Once all angles are captured, the data is gathered and processed by software that produces 3D deliverables. This gives us both real pictures and raw data for further processing.
Manhole and Sewer Survey
Spatial Geomatics have experience manhole survey teams capable of carrying out both non-entry and full entry manhole survey.
The survey information includes pipes, chamber and shaft sizes, cover and invert levels together with the overall condition. To ensure the client has all relevant information, the construction materials are also recorded along with photographs.
Coordinates and levels are established using Trimble GPS equipment. All manhole information is collected in a digital format which allows easy transition to the clients modelling software.
The information collected can be used to identify specific problem within a particular drainage system or provide new records where information is poor or non-existing.
All our site personnel are fully trained, and experienced in their fields. Training is regularly reviewed to ensure they are equipped with the necessary skills to use the latest technologies
Measured Building Survey
Spatial Geomatics specialises in measured building surveys, using the latest reflectorless technology to produce accurate plans. Our surveys range from small residential properties through to colleges and office blocks.
Floor plans
Floor plans are produced using a reflectorless instrument, portable palm top and bluetooth disto. This system allows floor plans to be produced in real time and provide a more accurate representation of the building.
Elevations
These are surveyed using a reflectorless instrument and portable palm top. The same technology is used to carry out vertical checks of the building with measurements taken at different heights on the building face.
Sections
Sections are produced by slicing through the building on a vertical plane to show the relationship between floors.
Monitoring
Spatial Geomatics is able to provide a wide degree of survey monitoring services through the utilisation of survey techniques adapted for monitoring as well as using technologically advanced methods specifically designed for the monitoring environment.
General instances where monitoring systems can be utilised include buildings and structures surrounding new construction sites, tunnelling operations beneath existing structures, retained faades and deep basement walls whilst excavation takes place.
Small movements usually precede failure in the structure, particularly a catastrophic failure, and accelerating displacement frequently procedes collapse. If these initial small movements are detected in sufficient time, remedial action can be taken to prevent or control further movement. A monitoring system provides the means of early warning , and involves the use of high precision instruments.
Railway Survey
Surveying within the railway environment requires specialist techniques as the modern railway is a dangerous place with safety issues often dictating the need for non-contact measurement using instrumentation such direct reading total stations, laser scanning as well as conventional equipment on line possessions at night.
At Spatial Geomatics we carry out topographic surveys from existing level crossing that require a high degree of accuracy, monitoring of embankments and surveys of railway infrastructure and associated projects.
Using the latest robotic surveying instruments and 3D laser scanning equipment, Spatial Geomatics are able to produce incredibly accurate profiles of tunnels, platforms or any other structure where proximity to the track needs to be measured.
Setting Out
Spatial Geomatics uses the latest robotic surveying instrument and computer software to provide an accurate and experienced setting out service, whether it be setting out houses, roads or transferring drainage levels from engineer’s drawings.
Design information needs to be transferred onto the ground in a useful manner in order for contractors to complete construction works. Wooden pegs, steel pins, profile boards and batter rails may not seem technical at first sight, but setting out of such information is an important role of the surveyor.
We have been involved in a large variety of schemes such as the initial earthworks of major construction projects, road alignments and other types of pavement construction, new housing developments and piling location.
The setting out process can be vastly improved both in accuracy and in productivity if the survey control and setting out data is available electronically.
Topographic Survey
Topographic surveying involves the production of maps which are true to scale. The maps are produced to accurately represent both the built and natural environment.
The required detail of the topographic survey can vary from one project to another, we can tailor the survey to the clients individual specification.
A network of control points is first established before observations are taken to the required topographical features. Most commonly a combination of Total Stations, GPS receivers and Digital Levels are used for data capture, the choice being largely dependant on site conditions: GPS is best for large open sites, whilst total stations are better in built up areas or where there is a lot of tree cover.
The topographic survey can be output in a variety of formats such as AutoCAD DWG, Moss MX as well as film and paper copies.
The survey data can be triangulated to produce a 3d model, which can be used to show contours to provide an enhanced visual representation of the changes in height.
Utility Survey
Underground infrastructure surveys are increasingly used during the project design stage so that appropriate measures are taken to avoid service conflicts and quantify the scope of any service re–alignment works.
We employ the techniques of Radio Detection and Ground Penetrating Radar to locate utilities. The depth of investigation will depend on the conditions of the site. In general, Radio Detection and ground penetrating radar techniques will detect services up to 3 meters below the ground services.
Radio detection and ground penetrating radar techniques are also used to confirm and complement existing as–built drawings and other records prior to development and excavation operations.
Radio detection techniques are unable to detect non-metallic buried services including plastic water and gas pipes and clay drainage pipes. To overcome this potentially hazardous sitution, we often combine the use of Radiodetection with Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). GPR is able to detect non metallic as well a metallic pipes. It will also give an indication of the location and depth of buried services but will not identify them.
British Standards Institution PAS 128, Specification for underground utility detection, verification and location is the new publicly available specification document which allows the utility survey industry to deliver its services to a recognised level of accuracy.
Typically Spatial Geomatics and the client will have a discussion/meeting to discuss the appropriate PAS 128 Survey Category Type (D to A) and the particular Survey Methodologies to be used. Each project is different and there are many combinations and factors that may need to be discussed. We will advise the client on the best and most appropriate methods based on the information given.
Post survey, a discussion and/or meeting takes place so that we can explain to the client the accuracies achieved and any limiting factors. At this point it may be appropriate to suggest other methods of survey to achieve greater levels of accuracy in areas of concern/strategic project importance.
For more information on PAS 128, click here.