Aerial Survey

SUMO GeoSurveys provide a range of Aerial Surveys using the latest technology including Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), also known as drones, as well as mobile telescopic masts and piloted aircraft to survey areas which may be impractical or costly to survey with conventional technology.

The advantages of aerial surveys include:

Archaeological Surveys – Earthworks, Excavations, and Ancient Monuments.
Asset Inspections – Monitoring and recording buildings, structures and assets without the associated working at height safety implications.
Building Recording – Commercial Properties, Factories, Castles, Country Houses, Churches, Statues, Bridges, etc.
Landscape Surveys – Large Scale Topographic Surveys, Farmland, Development sites, Quarries, etc.
Roof Inspection Surveys – Commercial Buildings, Factories, Castles, Country Houses, Churches, etc.
Multispectral Surveys - Recording the different bands of light, including those that are beyond the visible spectral range, to understand the subsurface potential of a site.
Thermal Surveys – Using Infrared Thermography to detect infrared radiation emitted by an object and translate the reading into heat.
Renewable Energy Infrastructure Surveys - Solar panel and turbine inspections in RGB and Thermal spectrum.
Water Leak detection - A combined survey approach of RGB and Multispectral photogrammetry with Thermal imaging, to produce mapping for an interpretive report, identifying probable leak locations to be targeted with GPR survey.
Outputs include photogrammetry, 3D models, Geospatial data (orthophotographs and DEMs), photography and video.

Landscape Surveys

The UAS photogrammetry method consists of taking aerial photographs in a grid pattern over a survey area and capturing vertical images from altitudes of between 50m and 120m. This enables the coverage of large areas in relatively short timeframes. The resulting data images are processed to produce a point cloud, mesh, and textured 3D models, DEMs (Digital Elevation Models) and orthophotographs.

Topographic Survey

UAS geospatial data is used to compile georeferenced and highly accurate digital surface models, and orthorectified mapping of large areas. LiDAR equivalent output with increased resolution to between 1 and 5 cm (LiDAR is typically 1 m to 2 m, or 25 cm at best if available). A complimentary technique to Geophysical surveys.

Renewable Energy

Roof inspections Renewable Energy Surveys

SUMO Geosurveys can conduct a hybrid method survey via airborne and terrestrial topographic techniques at the pre-planning stage. Providing a variety of highly accurate and informative outputs that can be utilised throughout the planning and design lifecycle of a project. Workflows in both GIS and CAD are catered for, with the option of archaeological interpretive reporting that can assist with targeting other surveys such as Geophysics, Utilities, Ecology etc.

UAS Thermographic Surveys for Solar Panels

When solar panels malfunction, it can mean a loss of efficiency and reduced energy production. Thermal imaging can detect heat signatures that may be indicative of defective solar cells. From a small group of panels on residential houses to a large solar farm, a UAS thermographic survey offers the most rapid and cost-effective solution to identifying panel defects and mitigating energy loss, whilst ensuring your investment is functioning at its highest level.

Asset Inspections

Equipped with a high-resolution camera, it can capture detailed photos and video of structures or buildings. Repeat visits, as required, allow for monitoring of assets over a specific duration to identify the general conditions of particular features and areas of concern.

Thermal Surveys

Thermal imaging uses Infrared Thermography (IRT) to detect infrared radiation emitted by an object and translate the reading into heat. Thermal surveys can identify areas of heat loss, poor insulation, air leaks, faulty photovoltaic cells in solar panels, and water leaks.

Thermal cameras mounted on an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) offer quality, cost-effective, and safe solutions for thermographic surveys.

Inaccessible or fragile roofs that present health and safety issues can be safely surveyed whilst mitigating the risks posed by traditional survey methods at a significantly lower cost. It is further recommended that a UAS thermographic survey is undertaken alongside a UAS visual condition survey to acquire the most detailed information available and provide a high-quality solution.

UAS thermal imaging is not constrained by poor access, inviting the opportunity to survey larger buildings and structures which may otherwise not be possible.

Roof Inspection Surveys

UAS roof inspections provide an effective and detailed record of the conditions of roofs and wall tops, without the costs and risks associated with scaffolding and working at height.

By producing a photographic record, UAS roof inspections can identify damage to masonry, lead work, roof tiles, chimneys, gullies and skylights, as well as areas of water retention and ingress. A follow-up report can be provided to compile the photos and discuss the general condition of the roofs.

In addition, the photos can be processed using photogrammetry to create a 3D model of the building or structure that may be used for mapping areas of concern.

Video can also be captured to show a seamless view of the roofs and can be directed by the client or an appointed surveyor in real-time to ensure that specific features are targeted.

Roof inspections are often combined with a full record of an historic building as part of condition surveys.

Building Recording

UAS photogrammetry is a cost-effective method for surveying places that are otherwise difficult to access, such as roofs and tall façades, without the need for scaffolding or ladders. As well as providing a highly detailed photographic record, historic buildings can be preserved as a 3D model from which outputs, including elevations and point cloud data, can be utilised by architects, masons and engineers. The model itself, as well as the general aerial photographs, can also be used for publicity and media.

Water Leak detection

We use a combined survey approach of RGB and Multispectral photogrammetry with Thermal imaging to produce mapping for an interpretive report, identifying probable leak locations to be targeted with GPR survey.

Above – interpretative drawing showing the water mains and potential water leak

Archaeological Survey

An Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) geospatial survey is one of the most efficient ways of identifying archaeological potential without intrusive intervention. We look at the ground surface for subtle earthworks and changes in vegetation which may indicate the subsurface archaeological potential.

Earthwork Survey Micro topography of a landscape or monument may tell us more about the nature and extent of the sub-surface archaeological potential. Often used in conjunction with Geophysical survey for a complete surface to sub-surface analysis.

Stripped Area Survey Rapidly record details of features through photo textured mapping of large areas, resolution 1 cm - 5 cm, depending on the survey area size and the intensity of data capture.

Excavation Recording the evidence uncovered during archaeological investigation within excavation areas of any size. Sections and all interventions into features can be recorded in 3D in their entirety.

Multispectral Surveys

An Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) equipped with an integrated multispectral camera is flown in a grid pattern over a survey area, with the camera facing perpendicular to the ground surface. Images are captured at regular intervals and collected by a visible light (RGB) camera and a multispectral camera array with five sensors that acquire data invisible to the human eye across the electromagnetic spectrum.

For a survey area covered in vegetation, the reflectance represents the amount of chlorophyll and thus the type and health of the plants. This may indicate the presence of sub-surface features.

For stripped or bare earth survey areas, the reflectance can represent soil organic carbon, soil moisture, or soil texture/density.

For example, where a feature such as a filled ditch is present, the reflectance will be different to that of the soil either side and is represented as different colours in raster transformation. Nuances such as re-cuts and multiple fills, which would otherwise be difficult to see using RGB or with the naked eye, have the potential to be mapped.