PERPUSTAKAAN UMP

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APPLICATION OF DRONE IN VISUAL INSPECTION FOR

CONSTRUCTION PROJECT

ADAM ZAKWAN B ZAINUDIN

A thesis is submitted in fulfilment of the

requirements for the award of the degree of

Bachelor of Civil Engineering

Faculty of Civil Engineering and Earth Resources

UN! VERSITI MALAYSIA PAI{ANG

JANUARY 2015

ABSTRACT

The construction industry has evolveed rapidly and advances with a variety of

new technologies, especially in communications and computing abilities. As

such, it has offered a drone as a tool. The drone previously has risen in

military applications for spying and to get mapping area Specifically to the

construction project, the drone can be applied as a tool for visual inspections

process such as area mapping, tracking work in progress, inspections of built

up structure and locating and identigying construction defects . Ageing and

fatigue of infrastfuctures has became a major concern especially for elevated

highway and bridges where the service life is shorten. Therefore it requires an

optimied procedure and the use of drones is explored within this study. This

study, aims at the application of technology which is drones for

structural/construction inspection through visualisation approach. In order to

achieve the aims of this research several objectives has been identified which is

to explore , appraise and syntheisise relevant literature related to visual

inspection specific focus on ability , usage, evolution, implementation

requirement and success factor. Another objective is to explore and develop the

proposed method of statement and risk asessment of drones and to establishes

the sequences for visual inspection process. Lastly is to test and refine the

proposed method of statement of application of drone for visual inspection in

construction project.

A

ABSTRAK

Industri pembinaan telah bekembang pesat dengan pelbagai teknologi barn yang

boleh membantu dan memudabkan , terutamanya dalam komunikasi dan kebolehan

mengira. Oleh itu, ia telah menawarkan drone sebagai alat dimana penggunaan drone

sebelum mi telah digunapakai dalam aplikasi ketenteraan untuk mengintip dan untuk

mendapatkan kawasan pemetaan . Khusus untuk projek pembinaan, drone boleh

digunakan sebagai alat untuk proses pemeriksaan visual seperti pemetaan kawasan,

kemajuan kerja, pemeriksaan membina struktur dan mencari dan menilai jenis

kecacatan pembinaap. . Penuaan dan keletihan infrastruktur telah menjadi perhatian

utama terutamanya untuk jalan raya dan jambatan di mana kira-kira kos yang paling

besar adalah disebabkan oleh pembaikan dan penyelenggaraan. Oleh itu ia

memerlukan cadangan prosedur yang optimis dan juga menerokai kelebthan

penggunaan drone yang dalam kajian mi. Kajian im dilaksanakan bertujuan sebagai

penggunaan teknologi dimana drone digunakan untuk pemeriksaan struktur

pembinaan melalui pendekatan visualisasi . Bagi mencapai matlamat kajian mi

beberapa objektif telah dikenalpasti iaitu untuk meneroka, menilai dan hasil thesis

yang relevan dan berkaitan dengan pemeriksaan visual menumpukan khusus

kepada keupayaan , penggunaan, evolusi , keperluan pelaksanaan dan faktor

kejayaan. Objektif lain adalah untuk meneroka dan membangunkan kaedah yang

dicadangkan. -bagi kenyataan dan risiko terhadap aplikasi drone dan untuk

menetapkan urutan untuk proses pemeriksaan visual . Akhir sekali adalah untuk

menguji dan memperbaiki kaedah yang dicadangkan bagi cadangan prosedur

menggunakan drone untuk pemeriksaan visual dalam projek pembinaan itu sendiri.

VII

TABLE OF CONTENTS

VIII

CHAPTER TITLE PAGE

TITLE PAGE i

SUPERVISOR'S DECLARATION ii

STUDENT'S DECLARATION iii

DEDICATION iv

ACKNWLEDGEMENTS v

ABSTRACT vi

ABSTRAK vii

TABLE OF CONTENTS viii

LIST OF TABLES xii

LIST OF FIGURES xiii

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS xiv

LIST OF SYMBOLS xv

INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Background of study 1

1.2 Problem statement 3

1.3 Aims and Objectoves 4

1.4 Research Methodology 5

1.5 Scope of study 5

1.6 Significant of study 6

2 LITERITURE REVIEW 7

2.1 Introduction 7

2.2 Defect building and structural cases in Malaysia 9

2.3 Overview Importance role of visual inspection in 12 construction

2.3.1 Visual inspection in construction project 14

2.3.2 Emerging technologies into inspection process 15

2.4 Quadcopters history and general perfomances 16

2.5- Operative-of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) 20

ix

3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 23

3.1 Introduction 23

3.2 Five pillars of research methodology 25

3.2.1 Preliminary study 25

3.2.2 Area of focus and concept developement 25

3.2.3 Research design and developement 25

3.2.4 Explarotary data collection 26

3.2.5 Validation reccoiiendation 26

3.3 Data collectings 27

3.4 Data processing 30

3.4.1 Hardware and specification 30

3.4.2 Software 35

3.4.3 Cost 35

Procedures,risk and hazard for visual inspection 3.4.4 37

works

3.4.5 Benefit and limitation of drones and skylift 39

3.4.6 Application of drones on field 39

x

4 RESULT AND DISCUSSION 40

4.1 Introduction 40

4.2 Method of statement for application of drones for 41 visual inspection

4.2.1 Purpose 42

4.2.2 Scope of work 42

4.2.2.1 Specification carried out activities 42

4.2.3 Details of personnel 44

4.2.4 Responsibilities 44

4.3 Risk and hazard assesment for application of drones 47 for visual inspection

4.3.1 Component of hazards from drones 48

4.3.2 Risk and hazard control for drones flight 49

4.4 Comparison of price range of skylift and drones 50 (DJI PHANTOM 2) for visual inspection works

4.5 Benefits and limitation of skylift and drones (DJI 51 PHANTOM 2) for visual inspection works

4.5.1 Advantages of using skylift in visual inspection 51

4.5.1.1 Limitation and drawbacks for skylift in visual 52 inspection

4.5.2 Advantages of using drones in visual inspection 56

4.5.2.1 Limitation and drawbacks for drones in visual 58 inspection

4.6 Comparison parameter of benefit and limitation of 61 drones (Dii PHANTOM 2) and aerial skylift for visual inspection works

4.7 Analysis of sample data by using drones for visual 63 inspection works

4.7.1 Data of visual inspection for 3 storey residential 64 house

A

4.7.2 Data of visual inspection for 'brown field 66 construction

4.7.3 Data of visual inspection for water tank tower 68

4.7.4 Data of visual inspection for roof on industrial 71 building

5 CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS 73

5.1 Introduction 73

5.2 Evaluation of objectives 74

5.2.1 Objectives 1' 74

5.2.2 Objectives 2 75

5.2.3 Objectives 3 75

5.3 Conclusion 76

5.4 Recommendation 77

REFERENCES 78 APPENDICES 81

XII

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE TITLE PAGE NO 3.1 List of Data,Information and Sources 28

3.2 Specification of Dji Phantom 2. 31

3.3 Dji Phantom 2 Costing for Visual Inspection 35

Purposes

3.4 Price for SkyLift Rental. 36

3.5 Table of personnel details. 44

4.2 Quotation for Rental SkyLift 50

4.3 Quotation for Rental Drone 50

4.4 Advantages & Disadvantages of skylift for visual 54

inspection

4.5 Advantages & Disadvantages of drones for visual 60 inspection

4.6 Comparison parameter data between drones and 61 skylift

XIII

LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE TITLE PAGE NO 2.1 Measauring Project Success (Atkinson, 1999) 8

2.2 The Star Online & Newspaper on 26 August 2004 11

2.3 Dr. George de Bothezat and Ivan Jerome 18 developed the manned quadrotor shown above in 1922

2.4 Quadrotors vary the speed of all props to move in 18 the vertical axis

2.5 Yaw (rotational) control of quadrotors is achieved 19 by increasing the props rotating in the matching direction.

3.1 Flowchart of Reseach Methodology Process 27

3.2 Dji Phantom 2 Model 30

3.3 Dji Phantom 2 Body Features 32

3.4 Dji Phantom 2 Remote Controller Features 33

3.5 Dji Phantom 2 Body Features 34

3.6 Quotation for Skylift Rental 36

4.1 Site Lay-out Aerial View 63

4.2 Side View of 3 Storey House 64

4.3 Front View of 3 Storey House 64

4.4 Poor Repairing Work 65

4.5 Water Stagnant 65

4.6 Brown Field Construction 66

4.7 Indoor Flight for Drones 66

4.8 Working Progress and Activty 67

4.9 Safety and Healthy Issues 67

4.10 Water Tank Tower for Residential in Cyberjaya 68

xiv

4.11 Aerial view of Water Tank Tower 68

4.12 Beam Failure Detected 69

4.13 Manhole Is Exposed Without Covered 69

4.14 Exposed Roof Structured Without Water Proofing 70

4.15 Wastage On Roof Captured 70

4.16 Poor Workmanship 71

4.17 Zoom In and Detected Of Missing Spot For Nails 71 On Roof Cladding

UTA

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Construction industry nowadays demanding a highly precise planning and work

schedulling, effective management of project comes with with good specification,

requirements and inspections of the project which can enable the overall optimization in

time, cost and resources. In monitoring progress, therfore an effective and efficient

approach is crucial to obtained in order to deliver quality. However, many the projects

still engaging traditional method to monitor progress and conducting inspection. It has

caused many disadvantages in the decision making such as poor documentation . As a

result, the necessary data and information could not be captured accordingly . The

situation gradually increase pressure on the project manager to shorten the delivery of

time and decrease the cost involved in the process without decrease the quality of the

product. By growing a pressure to shorten the project completion times plus the

complexity of today's construction project and to increase productivity of commercially

available the personnel needs a real-time data either to observe of progress, safety issues

or visual inspection.In order for improvements in quality and efficiency of construction

industry there also a needs of research for new technology that could help increase the

work productivity and optimize cost efficiency. Basically with a help of technology

either in communicating and computing abilities it will help person in charge to make a

1

better and proactive decision for the uprise problems and planning based on the data

given and systematic documentation because that is the fundamental and challenging

activity of the management hierarchy.

In Malaysian construction industry there is a lot of facilities and old strcutures

as well as the deterioration of existing infrastructure components such as elevated

highway ,bridges, pipelines, and dams have increased the demand for routine structural

integrity assessments. While Ministry of Works have established guidelines regulating

the inspection of these infrastructure components and evaluations often suffer from a

degree of inaccuracy .s a result of the inspection methods. Furthermore, limited human

resources may decrease the thoroughness of these inspections. The application of

technologies and robotic systems for structural monitoring and inspection may provide a

successful means of improving the efficiency and accuracy of structural integrity

assessments by assisting human efforts. This work describes the development of

robotic system especially application of drones for the visual inspection. This system

serves as a mobile platform for structural visual inspection and evaluation equipment.

Drones or quadcoptors are small and exceptionally agile vehicles with maneuverability

that permits both indoor and outdoor flight. The majority of quadcoptors are flown

autonomously as drones or remotely by a human-operator. Applications of quadcoptors

describes the dynamics of drones for monitoring of structures and maintenance for

construction project.

From civil engineering areas, the drones could apply as a tools for visual

inspections process either mapping area, working progress, inspections of high structure

and to locate defects and cracks. Ageing infrastructures has become a major concern

especially for elevated highway and bridges where roughly the life cost is due to

repairing and maintenance. The consequences of neglecting routine inspections range

from being minor to catastrophic. Even seemingly insignificant structures such as

pedestrian walkways and footbridges require an inspection schedule. Bridges, tunnels,

pipelines, and dams are all examples of large structures that require routine inspection

and maintenance. Most of these structures are decades old and have had prolonged

exposure to harsh environments and loads.Progresses in visual inspection look possible

3

in the direction of remote sensing and process automating. The use of drone could be of

a particular interest as camera carriers and image transmitters. Drone could follow a

predetermined path or could move by visual control and detects by the means of image

or video of size and location of defects part.

Even with a systematic approach, maintaining an old structure is a formidable

challenge. Structural deficiencies in ever-aging elevated highway structures and

pipeline systems become increasingly likely to occur as time passes. Additionally, urban

growth and development place greater demands on these structures and systems and

create the need for further maintenance and construction. Inspections after potentially

catastrophic events such as hurricanes, earthquakes, major vehicular accidents, and

sabotage, are also necessary. The effectiveness of routine inspections is limited by

manpower and funding. This study is to define advantages and limitations of application

drones for visual inspection rather than conventional method which using skylift

machines or human itself. It also to study the impact and changes in construction

industry and to analyse the outcomes and impact in term of time, cost, human error and

safety factor.

1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT

The following questions: arise- in inspiring the problem -identification:

1. For conventional method of visual inspection on high reach point it always have

a current issues involving limitation of machinery such as skylift and human

error.

2. Although conventional method of visual inspection must be an efficient way

through out current time but still it can be questionable on:

(a) Time effect

(b) Cost impact

(c) Efficiency in co-ordination

(d) Legal documentation for court issues

(e) Safety and health perspective

(0 Business perspective

3. So this researbh is a study to attempt an answer for this problem and to proposed

combining technology with construction area specifically in visual inspection

area.

1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVE

The aim of this research is to study and explore the drone technology in construction for

structural/construction inspection through visualisation approach. To achieve the aim of

this research, several objectives were identified and they are:

a) To explore , appraise and syntheisise relevant literature related to visual inspection

specific focus on ability, usage, evolution, implementation requirement and success

factor.

b) To explore and develop the proposed method of statement and risk asessment of

drones and to establishes the sequences for visual inspection process.

4

c) To test and refine the proposed method of statement.

5

1.4 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Methodology also is a well planning for a reserach that starts from the

beginning until the end of research. The problem of conventional method of visual

inspection which is- efficient way through out current time but still it can be

questionable on time affect, cost impact and efficiency in documentation process or

suitable methods that can meet the objectives can be carried out when the

methodology is well planned and followed. There will be five pillars of research area

that will generate to four phase of data control and process for each pillars and to tele

back with aims and bbjectives of this research. The appropriate research design and

research methodology will assist to achieve research objectives by clearly shown

method of data gaining, data analysis and to generate the information and results.

1.5 SCOPE OF STUDY

With the given complexity of times constraints and complexity in gathering

access to the company and the construction project, the following scope is prepared:

1) A roof and pipeline of 3- storey residential house with 10 years construct lifetime

will be inspect using drones

2) Water tank towers of resindence which in defect and warranty period will be inspect

in order to proposed standard operation procedure for visual inspection using drones

3) Testing and understand the limitation and flexibility method of statement and risk

assesment for drones in site where the cycle is in construction stage and preferably in

confinement area

4) Using drones for real time area mapping in open space area

5) Data collection related to aims and objectives

6

6) Middle level and top level management ( operator,supervisor,engineer, project

manager and client) respondents required to explain the nature of construction activity

and progress especially in visual inspection process.

7) Develope the data (picture and video) documentation or report by using Pinnacles

and Microsoft Softwares.

8) Theory that engaged in visual inspection is majority of structural knowledge and

experience that align with a process of architects requirements.

1.6 SIGNIFICANT OF STUDY

The result of this study may exposed the application of drones in visual

inspections for construction industry. The effectiveness of using drones might be

questioned during the implementation and execution of visual inspection especially in a

complexity projects but by having a real time data with the help of inutiative view and

experience will allow personnel to act and decide for an action based on that situation.

The new practise of using drones technology also is a substantal improvement in quality

and efficiency compare to the traditional method which using a combination of skylift

to lift human in order to reach the highest and difficult point of structures. Furthermore,

using a drones in construction project also would help planner in a better project

perception in planning process and can be extended to coordination activities by project

manager and safety observation by safety personnel.Thus, it is an advantage by using

new technology to eliminate others competative that using big and expensive

machineries charges for Visual Inspection works and there could be certain high

structures that are difficult or impossible to access without special equipment that a

drone would have no problem with whilst maintaning safety measurement.

CHAPTER 2

-LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 INTRODUCTION

Building construction is to be an essential part and element of the construction

industry in Malaysia and it forms about 67.6% of the overall construction work (CIDB,

2008). The new global challenges thus call for greater focus on building capabilities.

Making strategic decision require new system or technologies that can measures in

evaluating the succes of projects that will support contractors and managers to enhance

their competative edge. It is very important for any personel involve in construction

industry to adopt more effective and comprehensive evaluating methods to identify

problems and innovative ways of delivering successful project

Another significant study conducted by Atkinson (1999), which divided the

project into three stages. In view of the Figure 2.1 , which iilustrates these stages it can

be seen that the first stage was the delivery stage. This stage focused upon the task of

project managenmet and doing and to decide things wisely. The next stage was the post

delivery that was concerned with the system and measured the benefits to the resultant

organisatjon(djrect benefits). The third stage was the post delivery which measured the

benefits to a wider stakeholder community (indirect benefits)

7

PROJECT SUCCESS

DELIVERY STAGE DE

POSTLIVERY

STAGE

THE THE I 0,1 THE PROCESS SYSTEM F BENEFIT

• COST • BENEFITTO • IMPACT ON • TIME STAKEHOLDER CUSTOMER • QUALITY • CRITERIA TO • BUSINESS • EFFICIENCY ALL PERSONEL PERSPECTIVE

• RESULTANT SYSTEM

Figure 2.1 : Measauring Project Success (Atkinson, 1999)

Atkinson (1999), Shenhar (1997) and (2001) have made significant contributions to

knowledge management and moved away from the conventional way in measuring the

success by focusing only on time, cost and quality. Yet these studies have addressed

projects of various industries rather than focused on construction projects. Since the

success criteria will vary from project to project those measures do not address the issue

of success in projects.

8

9

2.2 DEFECT BUILDING AND STRUCTURE CASES IN MALAYSIA

New houses with multiple defects are not a new scenario in Malaysia. This does

not mean that the new built houses should always be defect-free. In the theory of

manufacturing, a defective product is going to happen, be it as good as the quality

control process is applied.Such cases also apply in the construction industry. In the

meantime, many past studies related to defects in the building done in the post-

construction, which includes the operation and maintenance of buildings. However, not

many similar studies done in the design stage and during the construction phase. (N.W.

Tanwil, 2009)

The construction industry plays an important role in the growth of the nation's

economy. This sector is the engine of the country's economic development through the

multiplier effects to other industries such as manufacturing, fmance,education and

others. By using a standard inspection the building inspector can provide objective data

on the status of the building for the project manager. The system is seen as an effective

evaluation and incentive system to encourage continuous quality improvement.

However, analysis of scores has shown that the quality of construction has not

increased. Therefore, has recommended several steps to achieve continuous quality

improvement in the inspection methods of construction.

Besides, the evaluation of housing condition is also important to ensure the

health and safety of the occupants. Structural failure may result in loss of life and

property damage. According to the maintenance is significantly influence the building

safety and health of residents. Therefore, assessment of building conditions is essential

to obtain information related to carrying out maintenance work effectively. In addition,

the quality of building construction also reflects the image of the people who involve in

this project. Building defects is the non-fulfillment of intended usage requirements.

Zurianj (2003) has describe six common defects occurs in the research such as crack,

moisture, peeling off, painting defect, rust and rot.

10

Besides, it has classified generally 14 types of building defects such as leak,

bend, rust, rot, moisture, sedimentation, crack and others. In addition, stated that there

are some defects occur as the result of design errors, construction errors, and misuse of

the buildings.

Based on analysis of concrete defects factors in Malaysia,stated that there are

seven types of defects usually happen on concrete structure such as crack, failed

jointing, leaking, corrosion of steel reinforcement, sedimentation, honeycombed and

disintegration of concrete. According to there are five main factors of concrete strcuture

defects which is design error, building material, geotechnique, construction errors and

unpredicted errors. These study suggests the need to perform the buiding condition

survey, particularly to the newly completed construction building, as one of the method

in tracking the construction defects. This also help the industry to identify and prioritize

the most defected components in supporting the continuos quality improvement process.

The condition of building component is evaluated using a Standard Building

Inspection Code published by the Royal Institutional of Surveyors Malaysia (RISM)

and Condition Survey Protocol (CSP) 1 Matrix. These code and protocol is a guideline

to the Building Surveyor to assess any defect of building based on priority and

condition. This matrix has its own scoring system to facilitate the examiner to assess the

condition of building carefully and entirety. All defects identified are assessed and

recorded on-site with the evidences (photos and plan tag). The score obtained from the

Scoring system determine the level of defects/component such as good, fair and

dilapidated. Besides, the possible cause of the defects also identified.

11

From the news paper of (The Star Online & Newspaper on 26 August 2004)

issue involve in Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2), Works Minister Samy Vellu admitted

in Parliament that defective design and lack of inspection was one of the reasons for the

cracks in the Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2).The steel placement did not follow the

standard and specifications. Samy also said in reply to a question from Speaker Tan Sri

Ramli Ngah Talib.Ramli had interrupted Samy Vellu when the minister was giving a

technical explanation for the cracks on the MRR2 highway in reply to questions from

Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob (BN-Bera) and other MPs.Samy Vellu said his ministry

monitored bridges and flyovers but only the MRR2 was found to have serious defects

It is not a new thing that common structure in Malaysia needs to have schedule

maintenance and most of all to have schedule inspection (Prof. Dr. Azlan, 2009). For

MRR2 cases the verification of crack mapping and observation of new cracks or defects

from Ministry of Works along with independent checker to verify of concrete strength

measurement and to design check on pier crosshead and make sure to have finite

element analysis of pier crosshead involved in order to make a document study of

construction methods and contractual matters. Visual inspection and selective crack

mapping for verification of previous test records and identification of new, cracks or

defects should have done before they proceed to process of In-situ hardness test using

rebound hammer on selected locations to provide estimate of concrete quality and

strength correlation .Core-drilling to extract concrete core samples from selected

locations for strength and other relevant tests

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2.3 OVERVIEW IMPORTANCE ROLE OF INSPECTION IN CONSTRUCTION

Inspection personnel, must be highly trained to recognize specific signs

ofdeterioration that can lead to structural failure. Any structure can have defects, which

signify a loss of structural integrity, whether the structure is a highway bridge or an

underground gas pipeline. Some signs of deterioration may be visually obvious such as

corroding steel or large surface cracks. Other signs, such as bridge deck

delamination,may require the aid of ultrasonic instruments, radar, other non-destructive

methods, or invasive methods such as taking core samples. Methods of nondestructive

testing are the most' desirable form of inspection, as they leave the member under

evaluation intact. (K.0 Leong,2008)

For building and structure inspection it has many forms such as in visual

inspection, construction, forensic, conditions of existing buildings, spesific buildings

fault, pre-sale home and many more. But all forms mention is comes out in bigger

perspective from construction quality control inspection and safety and health

inspection. Inspection are meant to ensure construction site and the construction process

do not violate the safety and health standards and regulations. In Malaysia safety and

health standards and regulations are controlled by legistation and strictly enforced.

Personnel who conduct and involved in inspection must be strict to ensure public safety

and to control the requirements of structure specification or projects. For large and

complex structures, building authorities in Malaysia require inspection or peer review of

structural design so as to independently verify the design load criteria, local building

code compliance and to ensure there is no serious errors are apparent.

For larger and more complex projects involving tight timeframe. They have

large teams of specialists to carry out the detailed inspection and testing work to ensure

strict compliance with standard and quality control as well as construction completion

within the set timeframe.'Thjs specialist team works closely with the Project Consultants

to ensure design variations are properly carried out within the quality control

13

requirements. Together with the Project Consultants, they are jointly responsible for

obtaining the Certification of Occupancy. Building authorities also carry out

Construction Quality Control Inspection to ensure compliance with statutory standards

and regulations. For critical works, Tests are carried out by the authorities to ensure

performance standards are acceptable. For those Tests that are carried out by

consultants, full test results must be lodged with the authorities for checking and

approval.