reporter magazine 66
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2 | Reporter 66
Dear Readers,
Capturing and processing three-dimensional data is
an essential part of modern geodesy and is becom-
ing increasingly important in other industries as well.
The questions are less about data volume and more
about how data is processed and what projects it is
used in.
In this edition of the Reporter I am very pleased to
once again present a number of exciting contribu-
tions about how our customers and partners use
our wide array of products. This time the scope
ranges from automatic agricultural track guidance
to the Leica 3D Disto and how it greatly increased
the productivity of a cabinetmaker firm. The film and
video game industry has also started using Leica
Geosystems and the reliability of Leica Geosystems
equipment in extreme climates was proven once
again both in the high humidity of a cave network in
Malaysia and the freezing cold of the Arctic.
My personal favorite in this edition though, is the
article “A Perfect Workflow”, describing how Leica
Geosystems solutions and those of our sister com-
pany Intergraph complemented each other perfectly
to complete a high-profile 3D Laserscanning project.
Our parent company Hexagon provides us with the
opportunity to work together on innovations, each
company contributing its core competencies and
together creating a whole that is greater than the
sum of the parts. The company Fenstermaker in the
USA is one of our customers and partners that profit
from this.
“Think Forward!” is the motto of the Hexagon 2012
user conference in Las Vegas from 4 –7 June. I look
forward to seeing you there, but until then, I hope
you enjoy reading this edition of the Reporter.
Juergen Dold
CEO Leica Geosystems
Editorial
Imprint
Reporter: Leica Geosystems customer magazine
Published by: Leica Geosystems AG, CH-9435 Heerbrugg
Editorial office: Leica Geosystems AG, 9435 Heerbrugg, Switzerland, Phone +41 71 727 34 08, [email protected]
Contents responsible: Agnes Zeiner (Director Communications)
Editor: Konrad Saal, Agnes Zeiner
Publication details: The Reporter is published in English,German, French, Spanish, and Russian, twice a year.
Reprints and translations, including excerpts, are subject tothe editor’s prior permission in writing.
© Leica Geosystems AG, Heerbrugg (Switzerland), May 2012. Printed in Switzerland
Cover: © Nick Cobbing / Greenpeace
CO
NTEN
TS A Perfect Workflow
On Arctic Ice Floes
GNSS to StudySeabirds’ Island
Perfection for Agriculture
Controlling The Bow
The Underground World of Mulu
With Glass Millimeters Matter
Highest Precision and no Waste
Surveying for the Movies
Smooth Road to the Games
Climate – the Answers are in the Soil
Modeling the World'sDeepest Mine
Heavy Loads onWeak Foundations
03
06
08
10
12
15
18
20
22
25
26
28
30
>>
The Global Magazine of Leica Geosystems | 3
by Ryan J. Fuselier
Fenstermaker began as a small, regional survey-
ing company in 1950. It has since become one
of the largest surveying and mapping compa-
nies in the southern United States, known for
its commitment to finding solutions to the most
complex mapping and surveying challenges.
The Advanced Technologies Division formed in
2008 offers specialized field services, including
Underwater Acoustic Imaging (UAI) and High-
Definition Surveying (HDS) to provide topside
and underwater as-built mapping services to
the oil and gas industry. The combination and
synergistic working relationship allows Fenster-
maker to deliver high-resolution 3D visualiza-
tion, accuracy, and detail on projects that are
not possible using traditional survey methods.
Fenstermaker began laser scanning in 2006, prior
to establishing the Advanced Technologies Division,
with the help of Joe Lafranca from Leica Geosys-
tems. The first laser scanning project was a Pump
Station and 9.6 km (6 mi) topographic survey travers-
ing Lake Shore Drive in New Orleans. At the time,
Fenstermaker relied on Leica Cyclone 3D Point Cloud
Processing Software, Leica CloudWorx for AutoCAD
for 3D Model extraction from point cloud, and other
modeling systems.
From this project we understood how the scanning
capabilities could be of value to the oil and gas indus-
try. In 2007, we completed a laser scan of a Georgia
Gulf facility and implemented the first seat of Inter-
graph CADWorx plant design suite operating on top of
AutoCAD to model and generate 2D spool isometrics
for fabrication. Since it was our first chemical facility,
we had to address several field and office challenges.
In the office, we streamlined our workflow between
Leica Cyclone, CloudWorx, and Intergraph CADWorx.
Leica Cyclone generated steel, CloudWorx extracted
pipe centerlines, and Intergraph CADWorx added the
intelligence.
As-Built Modeling After the Gulf project, we began testing the use
of laser scanning with traditional total stations in
dimensional control projects that required high tol-
erances such as the large-scale fabrication of steel
structures or modules, and even jumper and hub
A Perfect Workflow
4 | Reporter 66
alignments. We’ve taken all these tools – the scan-
ners and total stations, Cyclone and CloudWorx from
Leica Geosystems, and Intergraph CADWorx – and
created our own synergistic workflow that is more
efficient than conventional methods and allows us
to develop high accuracy, intelligent design models
for our clients.
In one recent project, a large oil and gas company
tasked with making upgrades to their existing infra-
structure solicited our group to develop an as-built
model of an offshore platform located 50 miles off
the Gulf Coast.
Our scope was to map the existing structure on the
topside and second sub-level of the platform, with
particular attention to pre-identified tie points and
general information along potential pipe routes and
proposed equipment locations. The data needed to
be delivered to within 3 mm (0.12 in) accuracy for tie
points and to an as-built model classification Fenster-
maker defines as Class A – Level 1. Class A – Level 1
means tie point and fabrication grade accuracy with
specification-driven intelligence added to every
modeled component. In terms of timeline, the client
directed that field data collection on the platform had
to be completed in two days, including mobilization.
Traditional methods simply wouldn’t have worked.
Conventional techniques such as prisms and total
stations would have yielded accurate but limited
results, while costing the client more time and pos-
ing a greater safety risk. Instead, we put in place
our entire scanning/modeling workflow – from Leica
HDS scanner to Leica Cyclone/Intergraph CADWorx/
Leica CloudWorx software – to make this project a
success.
Advanced WorkflowOnce we had the schedule coordinated with the cli-
ent, we sent a two-man survey crew in a helicopter
with a Leica Geosystems HDS6000 laser scanner to
map the 14 x 14 m (45 x 45 ft) portion of the upper and
sub-level deck of the platform. On the first day, the
crew completed the upper deck in nine scans and set
control for the lower deck. The next day the crew
completed seven scans on the lower deck and mobi-
lized back to headquarters.
Once back at the office, the survey team post-pro-
cessed and registered the scan data within Leica
Cyclone software. Main structural and pipe support-
ing steel was modeled and used to set the project
coordinate system and Leica TruViews were pub-
lished.
The Global Magazine of Leica Geosystems | 5
Looking AheadFenstermaker plans to continue to capitalize on
their success and work experience to build cutting
edge solutions in the oil and gas service sector. So
many companies and facilities are only scratching
the surface in bridging the gap between data and
management. We are in a unique position having
extensive knowledge of how a synergistic network
exists between the as-built and design world. One
day in the near future our clients will enter a feature
rich Ecosystem with bi-directional communication
between project management, design, construction,
asset management, and training all powered by the
point cloud engine.
About the author:
Ryan J. Fuselier, P.E., P.L.S., is Director of the Advanced
Technologies Division at Fenstermaker.
TruViews allow everyday professionals to easily view
and measure laser point cloud data without exten-
sive knowledge of point cloud software. While navi-
gating a Leica TruView, participants can collaborate
about project needs, generate markups, manage
assets, and acquire 3D coordinate data and measure-
ments.
Modeling Synergy The model was exported using the Cyclone Object
Exchange (COE) format to AutoCAD. Our designers
launched Leica CloudWorx within AutoCAD to model
the piping elements, flanges, and equipment along
with specification-driven intelligence.
Intergraph CADWorx and Leica CloudWorx comple-
ment each other well, both being menu driven pro-
grams within the native AutoCAD environment. The
synergy between these two programs is evident
in terms of functionality and our overall workflow
efficiency. Used together, we can develop an intel-
ligent asset model of existing conditions from which
designers can build the most effective and efficient
retrofit and upgrade for the facility. This ensures
zero to no rework upon installation.
Because the data from the Leica Geosystems
HDS6000 laser scanner was so accurate and com-
prehensive, underlying structural deformation was
uncovered.
During the modeling process, we could see the main
deck structural steel deformation and notify the cli-
ent. We were able to report this vertical deformation
in a color relief map of the entire upper section of
the platform. With this visual and analytical data,
smart decisions could be made by the client concern-
ing corrective measures for reinforcing or replacing
the structural components in the area to handle the
proposed skid load. These unforeseen deformations
could have presented serious installation delays but
were able to be addressed prior to equipment mobi-
lization.
As a final deliverable, the client wanted Fenstermak-
er’s SurvDMS (Data Management System) product
with a specific interest in an intelligent as-built 3D
model. SurvDMS is a portal for serving all project
related deliverables to include TruViews, monument
data sheets, 3D models, and engineering/construc-
tion drawings.
Following the acquisition by Hexagon in 2010, Inter-
graph® is a sister company of Leica Geosystems.
Intergraph operates through two divisions: Security,
Government & Infrastructure (SG&I) and Process,
Power & Marine (PP&M).
Intergraph’s Process, Power & Marine division cre-
ates solutions that enable the design, construction,
and operation of process and power plants, offshore
platforms, and ships, and provides the information
management capabilities to build and operate those
facilities.
The company’s leadership position is backed by a
proven track record of high-quality product develop-
ment, a global customer base of industry leaders,
and a worldwide sales and support network. Inter-
graph Process, Power & Marine’s business is based
on a strong financial foundation and steady growth.
More than two-thirds of the plants built worldwide
are designed using Intergraph software.
6 | Reporter 66
On Arctic Ice Floes
by David Mainwaring
The Cambridge doctoral students Till Wagner
and Nick Toberg spent a month last summer
surveying the dimensions and properties of
the thin floating ice floes in the wilds of the
Arctic between Svalbard and Greenland aboard
the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise. The aim of
the expedition was to collect data that would
provide firsthand insights into local ice condi-
tions in September, the period of most rapid
melt. The gathered data will also be helpful to
remote sensing scientists to validate satellite
measurements and to global climate modelers
to provide more accurate input for their simula-
tions. To ensure success, they needed just the
right total station to tie in snowdepth readings,
aerial imagery, and drilling sites with their 3D
laser scanner data, and to produce low resolu-
tion surveys of the ice topography.
When scientists Till Wagner and Nick Toberg needed
a total station to take with them on an ice-surveying
expedition to the Arctic, they turned to UK’s Leica
Geosystems authorized dealer Opti-cal Survey Equip-
ment Ltd for some advice on what to take. Opti-cal
Surveying Equipment Ltd provided the pair with a
Leica TPS1200+ total station for their mission, work-
ing with a Leica Viva Controller. Since completing
the expedition and beginning the process of making
sense of the measurements, Till has said that the
device – and the support they got – was absolutely
invaluable, and they certainly know where to turn for
equipment for their next expedition.
The right Surveying Equipment “The total station was exactly what we needed,” Till
said. “We're not trained surveyors, so to be able to
essentially ‘plug and play’ with it was really impor-
tant. We were able to use the total station in snowy
conditions, on moving ice floes, and in temperatures
of as low as - 12 °C (10 °F). Despite the conditions, it
was able to reference our positions and provide us
with scan points.”
The scientists received guidance and training on the
equipment from Opti-cal Surveying Equipment. Till
explained, “Before the expedition, David from Opti-
cal came up to us in Cambridge and showed us exact-
ly how it worked and what we needed to do with it to
take the specific measurements we needed.”
Measuring the ThicknessExperts say the thinning of ice over the past decades
may lead to an ice-free summer in 2020. “What the
satellite radar sees is just the part of the ice that is
above water. Since about nine tenths of the ice is
underwater there is a huge margin of error,” said Till
Wagner. “That's what we went there for: to get a
better handle on how thick the ice actually is.”
The simplicity of the total station meant they were
able to easily switch off its standard auto leveling
facility. On solid ground the auto leveling is a huge
Nick Toberg sets up a Leica TPS1200+ Total Station in front of the “Arctic Sunrise”.
The Global Magazine of Leica Geosystems | 7
But ship's crew and scientists were richly rewarded
for their efforts, not merely with the success of their
measurements but equally by the stunning beauty of
the arctic ocean; the endless fields of untouched ice;
and encounters with dolphins, ivory gulls, and polar
bears (the latter thankfully always from the safety
of the ship).
With another arctic expedition planned for next year,
Till said that the TPS1200+ is an instrument that they
would certainly consider taking again, as it afforded
them many advantages that other brands of device
had fallen down on, including being easy to use,
light-weight, and very durable.
About the author:
David Mainwaring is a land and minerals surveyor.
After his graduation he started as a Technical Sales
representative at Leica Geosystems. Now he under-
takes the same role at Leica Geosystems’ authorized
dealer Opti-cal Survey Equipment Ltd.
(www.surveyequipment.com)
help for most surveyors but, when the ground is a
constantly moving ice floe, the option to switch it off
came in very handy. They were using the total sta-
tion to match up the different depth measurements
they had taken with the GPS positions to give them
the information necessary for their studies into the
mechanics and evolution of thin sea ice sheets.
The detailed survey of the structure of broken up
and refrozen ice sheets will make it possible to bet-
ter understand the effects of winds and currents on
their motion and deformation. The study provides a
link between the micro scale physics of ice crystals
and the large scale physics of vast ice fields.
An Enriching ExpeditionThe measurements were taken on ice floes within a
mile of the open water edge, which meant the sur-
vey sites were subject to significant wave motion.
Add dense fog, interspersed with heavy snowfall
and chilling winds and you are working in challeng-
ing conditions. Conditions that called for a steady
supply of hot tea, warm gloves, and robust scientific
equipment.
© S
tuart
McD
ill /
Re
ute
rs
© L
uís
Fe
rre
ira
8 | Reporter 66
GNSS to Study Seabirds’ Island
by Luís Santos
Several hundred kilometers to the south of
Madeira lie the Savage Islands (Ilhas Selvagens),
home to some rare species of seabirds. This
untouched ecosystem is a sanctuary for the
marine birds that come here to breed. But the
peaceful appearance can be deceiving, as cli-
mate change appears to be having an effect on
the birds’ behavior. A Leica Geosystems GNSS
reference station with several connected mete-
orological sensors is supporting ornithologists’
research on this remote island.
At the beginning of 2011, Leica Geosystems provided
a turnkey GNSS reference station solution to DRIGOT
(Regional Directorate for Geographic Information
and Land Planning) to be installed on the remote
island of Selvagem Grande. In August, after discuss-
ing and solving all of the logistics aspects, DRIGOT’s
team travelled to the island to install the GNSS refer-
ence station and other components. As there is no
regular transport to get there, the team got a 14
hour lift with the Portuguese Navy.
Since there is also no electricity on Selvagem Grande,
a custom designed solar/wind system was built to
supply all system components with sufficient power.
According to the consumption needs of each sen-
sor, a set of three solar panels was included, as
well as two gel batteries to maintain system power
overnight. An originally planned wind generator was
dropped from the power supply system due to the
high risk of putting the local young bird population at
risk through its presence and noise.
A Leica GRX1200 Pro receiver and a Leica AR25
choke-ring antenna were installed and connected
to the autonomous power supply. Furthermore, the
solution included a MET4 meteo station. GNSS and
The Global Magazine of Leica Geosystems | 9
meteo data are pushed via the satellite Internet con-
nection to the Leica GNSS Spider server installed at
the DRIGOT headquarters in Funchal (Madeira), which
also manages the Madeira GNSS network REPGRAM.
The GNSS raw data collected on the island is of major
relevance to geodynamic studies of the region, as it
represents the behavior between Madeira and the
Canary Islands. This data is used for scientific pur-
poses by Portuguese universities as well as some
international institutions and universities, such as
EUREF and IGS.
Since the meteorological data was one of the main
products demanded in this project, a high accuracy
meteorological sensor, the Paroscientific MET4, was
installed on site. Temperature, atmospheric pressure,
and humidity are recorded every 10 minutes, and are
a fundamental tool for all major scientific studies
taking place on the island, in particular ornithologi-
cal studies. The global climate has warmed up, and
all models point towards this being the trend for
decades to come.
These changes in climate are affecting the distribu-
tion and phenology of countless species. It is vital
to study and better know the links between these
changes and the behavior, physiology, and demog-
raphy of top predators, such as Cory’s Shearwater.
The demographic data collected over the past 30
years on Selvagem Grande Island will be correlat-
ed with past climate data to better understand the
demographic responses of the Cory’s Shearwater
population. In the future, with the availability of very
accurate meteo data, the main task will be to create
new models that help better understand the popu-
lation trends, to be used as a reference point for
future comparisons.
The preliminary analysis of the GNSS data collected
reveals that the Leica GRX1200 Pro and the Leica
AR25 choke-ring antenna are providing GNSS mea-
surements of superior quality.
About the author:
Luís Santos is a Surveying Engineer and is a Leica
Geosystems GNSS and HDS Product Specialist in Por-
tugal. ([email protected])
Maria João Seiça Neves ist Regional Director at
DRIGOT. ([email protected])
Selvagens Islands Nature Reserve
The Selvagens (“Wild”) Islands are situated in the
North Atlantic, 163 nautical miles from Madeira
Island, including three volcanic islands, Selvagem
Grande, Selvagem Pequena and Ilhéu de Fora. The
terrestrial and marine biodiversity of the Selvagens
Islands as well as the importance of their habitats
make these islands a unique Nature Reserve.
The fauna of the Selvagens Islands is diversified,
mostly for nesting birds. The nature reserve is a
refuge for an interesting community of several spe-
cies of seabirds such as Cory’s Shearwater, the larg-
est colony of this species in the world, White-faced
Storm-petrel, one of the largest populations in the
Atlantic and forms the northern boundary of the
species distribution, Bulwer’s Petrel and Madeiran
Storm-petrel.
More information about Madeira´s protected areas
can be found at: www.pnm.pt
More information about Madeira can be found at:
www.geocidmadeira.com
For more information about the Madeira’s GNSS
reference service REPGRAM, please visit:
www.repgram.org.pt
10 | Reporter 66
Perfection for Agriculture
by Konrad Saal
Precise Global Navigation Satellite Systems
(GNSS) are established tools for geodesy, but
these heavenly helpers also come to the aid
of farmers by enabling automatic steering sys-
tems. “Precision farming” describes giant trac-
tors, combine harvesters, or other agricultural
machinery steered by an invisible hand, hum-
ming along for miles on the wide-open fields of
our planet. An image that doesn’t quite fit with
the picture of small, mountainous Switzerland.
But could these precision auto-steer systems
also be used efficiently in a country where only
about 24 per cent of the land is under cultiva-
tion, most of it hilly or steep?
Farmer Marius Frei from Gut Lenzberg near Frauen-
feld in Canton Thurgau has approximately 40 ha (100
acres) of arable land and is fascinated by the use
of precise auto-steer systems: “I love technological
aids that are simple and useful.” The curiosity of this
technology inspired farmer was particularly aroused
by the fact that Leica Geosystems, a leading manu-
facturer of surveying solutions, also provides auto-
steer systems for agriculture. It had been clear to
him for some time that satellite-based technology
would soon have a significant role to play in Swiss
agriculture. He installed a Leica mojoRTK auto-steer
system on the tractor he uses to prepare the fields
for March sowing of sugar beet and potato planting.
In autumn, he uses the automatic guidance system to
sow his winter wheat. The non-overlapping steering
control of his farming machinery saves on fuel, wear
and tear, and time. Besides, it’s nice to sit on board
a tractor that’s always on track – without the driver
having to intervene. And of course, productivity and
quality stay the same at night. Ever since, the rows of
seed on Marius Frei's fields look as if they have been
set out with a string line.
He has since turned his passion for agricultural
technology into a second source of income and has
successfully been marketing Leica Geosystems agri-
cultural solutions since 2010. Now he employs the
systems on his tractors not only for daily tasks in his
In Switzerland, guidance systems are particularly interesting for vegetable farmers, as shown here for potato planting.
The Global Magazine of Leica Geosystems | 11
The requirements for auto-steering systems in
mountainous Switzerland are incomparably higher
than in flatter countries, which is why his custom-
ers will benefit greatly from Leica mojoXact. Thanks
to Leica Geosystems patented terrain compensation
this upgrade option provides even greater precision
in RTK positioning. “My fellow countrymen's liking for
precision and perfection even extends to the rows of
seeds in their fields,” says Frei with a smile.
The auto-steer systems can also operate the auto-
matic part-width section control on these machines.
This saves seed because overlapping is reduced and
every part of the field receives the right amount of
fertilizer. “I will be sowing corn in my fields this year
with an automatic part-width section control,” says
Frei. For other applications – not just in agriculture
– he looks forward to a bright future: “In the fall we
will be preparing football pitches and sports fields
with the help of Leica Geosystems automatic part-
width section control.”
About the author:
Konrad Saal is a Surveying Engineer and Manager
Marketing Communications at Leica Geosystems AG
in Heerbrugg, Switzerland.
fields but also for tests, and his customers receive
practical demonstrations in addition to the usual
sales talk, service, and advice.
“From a commercial point of view, auto-steer sys-
tems are primarily of interest to vegetable farm-
ers, as they spend many hours a year tending their
crops,” says Marius Frei. His customers also include
farming contractors, who use the auto-steer system
for sowing and soil preparation. “All my customers
are impressed by the automatic guidance systems,”
he explains. On the roof of his house and 25 km away
in Kloten he has his own base stations, which trans-
mit correction data to ensure precision steering.
The antennas mounted on the agricultural machines
receive this correction data. He is happy to provide
this service to customers working in the fields near
both stations.
He recently installed a Leica mojo3D with mojoXact
on another tractor. This successor model to the
acclaimed Leica mojoRTK has a large, clear display,
allowing settings to be made conveniently via the
touch screen. Moreover, the system supports many
steering templates, including freehand shapes,
which can be saved alongside the details of the areas
worked and the field’s boundaries. And should any of
his customers need help, Marius Frei can assist them
by means of the remote maintenance feature.
12 | Reporter 66
Controlling The Bow
by Vicki Speed
The Bow, with construction costs at an estimat-
ed 1.5 billion Canadian dollars, is the largest
office space in Calgary and the tallest building in
Canada outside of Toronto. During the construc-
tion of a skyscraper as complex as the Bow, the
structure will temporarily lose its exact verti-
cality and the building will tilt, contract, and
expand. To ensure the functionality of such a
complex and innovative design, MMM Geomat-
ics, Ledcor Construction, and steel fabricators/
erectors Supreme Walters Joint Venture, estab-
lished an innovative “neutral” building control
network that combined leading-edge technolo-
gies, advances in geomatics methodology, and
rigorous quality control and quality assurance
procedures to deliver precise real-time data.
In advance of construction, MMM, with help from
long time survey equipment supplier, Spatial Technol-
ogies Inc., selected the right equipment to establish
a comprehensive horizontal and vertical building con-
trol network that would allow precise survey layout
both on and off the structure.
The primary level of horizontal control consisted of
three external framework control stations. These
reference stations were installed on solid infrastruc-
ture, such as bridge abutments, nearby and located
at adequate distances from any development for
maximum marker stability. The primary horizontal
project control was established using a combination
of conventional and static GPS observation tech-
niques.
Real-time ResponseTwo continuously operating GPS reference stations
were selected as well and acted as a reference for
the external framework control. The GPS stations
continuously streamed real-time kinematic data and
constantly recorded raw GPS phase and code data
for precise post-processing applications.
MMM further established an external rooftop con-
trol network that consisted of 12 Leica Geosystems
professional 360 degree prisms, tribrachs, and car-
riers located on existing buildings near the site. GPS
antennas were attached to the top of the prisms
to allow for static GPS observations on these con-
trol markers. At three-month intervals, MMM per-
formed a complete static GPS survey that involved
simultaneous occupation of all rooftop prisms and
framework control markers. In addition, conventional
angles, distances, and spirit-leveled observations
were combined with the GPS position differences
in the network adjustment. After each survey, the
network was re-adjusted and statistically significant
coordinate updates, if any, were published.
Finally, MMM established a floor control system on
each level of the structure as it was constructed. The
floor control system included a series of at least six
horizontal control stations, which were used for all
The Global Magazine of Leica Geosystems | 13
>>
Controlling The Bow
subsequent layouts on the floor, including building
elements such as atrium steel, edge-of-slab, curtain
wall, elevator shafts, and project gridlines. These
stations were monumented on the ground floor con-
crete surface and subsequently transferred vertically
to each floor via laser plummet and validated by an
extensive survey and data quality control process via
least squares adjustment.
MMM selected two Leica TCRP1201 and one Leica
TS30 0.5 ” precision motorized total stations for all
precise setting-out activities on site. The Leica TS30
was used for applications where stringent accuracy
was required, including the establishment of floor
control for subsequent use by all trades. The estab-
lished control served as the primary horizontal ref-
erence for all future layout by all trades within the
tower.
Displacement and DeviationPerhaps the most innovative technique employed
on the project was the use of a network of Leica
Nivel220 inclination sensors to track and correct for
any deviation from a neutral plumb state due to nat-
ural or man-made forces.
Natural forces that might impact the structure include
wind, which creates building drag, and solar effects,
which cause temperature-related variation in steel
and concrete. Artificial forces, caused by differen-
tial raft slab settlement and crane loading, yielded
unbalanced loading on the structure. The period of
the building movements varied and consisted of a
combination of short-term, daily, and seasonal dura-
tions.
Surveyors have used inclinometer instrumentation
on some of the most innovative and complex sky-
scraper projects in the world. MMM worked close-
ly with Spatial Technologies Inc., as well as other
Leica Geosystems experts, to evaluate and test the
Leica Nivel technology and conduct short surveyor
training programs as needed, for use on the Bow
project.
The Leica Nivel220 inclinometer is a two-axis high-
precision tilt sensor with a resolution of 0.001 mil-
liradians. The device uses an optoelectronic principle
to accurately measure tilt and temperature in real
time, and allows for continuous data logging. Inclina-
tion is measured from the true horizontal surface
along the two orthogonal axes.
The MMM survey team continuously monitored, vali-
dated, and compared the inclinometer-derived build-
ing deviations to deviations determined using con-
ventional survey measurements from external fixed
control.
14 | Reporter 66
Rising ChallengesContinued monitoring of the structure, using the
rooftop prism and framework control network, indi-
cated that building movement started to gain signifi-
cance at about level 36 of the tower. Once building
displacement was proven to be greater than 20 mm
in any direction, standard survey layout procedures
were modified to account for the movement.
Real Time Kinematic (RTK) GPS techniques were
employed to plumb the building columns above level
36. A major limiting factor and important source of
error when using GPS techniques in urban environ-
ments is signal blockage and multipath from sur-
rounding buildings. As the BOW’s elevation increased,
these effects were diminished as the building sur-
passed adjacent structures in height. In general, the
layout using RTK GPS proved highly effective and
accurate.
As the structure continuously deviated from a neu-
tral plumb state due to natural and man-made forc-
es, it was necessary to account and correct for this
displacement. Observations indicated that building
deviations from the plumb line exceeded 50 mm
(2.0 in) at times. The inclinometer network allowed
for the correction of this deviation.
GPS survey procedures employed to position the
steel columns included the occupation of each col-
umn center using nominal RTK observation times
of two minutes. Structural displacement from the
building’s neutral position was determined simulta-
neously using data from the inclinometer network.
The inclinometer-determined displacements, during
each two-minute GPS occupation, were then applied
to the GPS positions to determine the actual move-
ments of each column, thus accounting for the devia-
tion of the structure from the vertical.
About the author:
Vicki Speed is a freelance writer based in Littleton,
Colorado/USA. ([email protected])
The Bow
At 58-stories and 236 m (775 ft) high, the Bow sky-
scraper in downtown Calgary, Alberta is one of the
tallest and most unique buildings in Canada, encom-
passing nearly two city blocks and 180,000 m² (1.9
million sq-ft) office and retail space. For the first
time in a North American skyscraper, the structure
incorporates a triangular diagrid system to create a
crescent-shaped building design. The diagonal and
vertical steel frame with triangular plates significant-
ly reduces the overall steel weight, and the number
and size of interior columns and thickness of the
elevator shaft walls.
The Bow will be the headquarters of EnCana Cor-
poration, North America's second largest natural
gas producer. The skyscraper is owned by H&R REIT,
designed by Foster + Partners with development
driven by Matthews Development (Alberta), and built
by Ledcor Construction Ltd.
More information at: www.the-bow.com
The Global Magazine of Leica Geosystems | 15
>>
The Underground World of Mulu
by Kevin Dixon
When the Internet seems to have all the answers
and the earth is revealed in ever more detail, it
is refreshing to find a part of the planet that is
still being discovered, even after thirty years
of exploratory expeditions. In Mulu, Sarawak,
Malaysia, what was created over millennia by
water pushing through the limestone bedding
and faults to find the quickest route to the sea
is now a crystal underground world inhabited
by bats and swifts. Surveying has been essen-
tial to the continuing discovery, providing maps
to guide the explorers back to their starting
point; showing potential new entrances as they
approach the surface; and hinting at new discov-
eries as cave passages follow major faults, bed-
ding planes, and drainage horizons. But what sur-
veying technology and methods have survived
this harsh environment to map this 3D maze?
Conditions within Mulu are not ideal for surveying
equipment, or people for that matter. The humidity
is typically 100 % and the temperature 30 °C (86 °F).
Getting to the caves still requires machete work
through rattan and vines; climbing through roots,
dense undergrowth, and limestone pinnacles; wad-
ing through streams and mud; and frequent tropical
storms. Most people stay fully covered, despite the
heat and humidity, so as to avoid cuts and scratches
that can quickly become infected. It also provides
some protection against the leeches, horseflies, and
mosquitoes.
The success of early expeditions conducted by the
“Mulu Caves Project” depended to a large extent
upon good surveying. The surveys were needed not
only to illustrate the amazing discoveries being made
but also because much of the scientific program
relied upon accurate surveying. Nearly all the cave
passages were surveyed as they were discovered by
small teams of two or three surveyors. The instru-
ments typically used were compasses and clinom-
eters with 30 m (100 ft) fibron tapes. Back at camp,
survey drawing was limited to transferring notes
onto graph paper with the help of a protractor and
ruler. Later, programmable calculators made the task
much easier. Field drawings were always limited to
graph paper and were drawn up in ink and Letraset
only after returning to the UK.
Robbie Shone drawing up the Mulu Caves.
16 | Reporter 66
Surveying Today – with Leica DISTO™ Laser Distance Meters The 2011 expedition had a number of ambitious
goals over the scheduled six weeks, many of which
were surveying related. Teams of 2 – 4 people did
the surveying with one designated note-taker field
sketching the cave and tabulating the readings on a
waterproof notepad. A second person operated the
instruments, shouting the readings to the note-taker.
Leica DISTO™ DXT and DISTO™ D8 laser distance
meters from Leica Geosystems were taken on the
Mulu 2011 expedition in addition to compasses and
clinometers. The DISTO™ D8 with a built-in clinom-
eter meant we could reduce the number of clinom-
eters used plus it had the advantage of greater
inclination accuracy and could measure up to 200 m
(656 ft). We had to avoid water and mud with the
Leica DISTO™ D8 but it was worth it as we measured
distances of up to 186 m (610 ft) to reflective targets,
often using the Leica DISTO™ D8 digital pointfinder
with our high-powered headlamps to identify distant
targets. By surveying extra long legs, we expected
the accuracy to be improved compared to more tra-
ditional, shorter survey legs.
It was the first time we used the Leica DISTO™ DXT.
Its higher IP rating (IP65) meant greater resistance to
mud and water. This was an advantage as we could
keep the DISTO™ DXT slung around our necks, ready
to use for quick measurements of passage dimen-
sions – usually left and right walls, ceilings and floors
in the direction of surveying. We used the same
equipment and techniques for surface traversing
to connect cave entrances to fixed control stations.
A feature of both laser distance meters that was
greatly appreciated was the internal memory, which
allowed the note-taker to check results and avoid
transcription errors.
Establishing Controls A dual frequency GPS receiver, a Leica SR530, was
taken on the expedition to determine a set of consis-
tent control points across the Mulu area, with partic-
ular emphasis on accurate height determination. Sta-
tions were determined by the availability of a clear
sky for good satellite visibility, which in primary jungle
is difficult to find. Some stations were set in clear-
ings that had been made within the park by the local
authorities for emergency evacuation by helicopter.
One location, just outside the park boundaries, had
been recently cleared by the indigenous population.
Thankfully, satellite visibility was good and the sur-
vey did not have to be repeated. The static 30 sec-
ond GPS data was Precise Point Positioned (PPP) by
the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, using their free online
service. The resulting absolute position accuracies
ranged from 0.02 to 1.09 m (0.8 to 42.9 in), with the
majority at the 0.1 m (4 in) level or better. The 1.09 m
(42.9 in) result was not unexpected. It was from the
worst site for visibility at the Terikan River Resur-
gence with a narrow field of view above the river and
a large cliff immediately to the east.
Expedition Summary A total of 15.2 km (9.4 mi) of new cave passages
were explored and surveyed, which included adding
13.4 km (8.3 mi) to the Clearwater System, making it
189 km (117.4 mi) long and the 8th longest cave in
the world. Two new caves were found and surveyed.
Eight geodetic GPS points were surveyed. A total of
26.2 million laser scan data points were collected
from Deer Cave and Sarawak Chamber, traversing
The Global Magazine of Leica Geosystems | 17
3.4 km (2.1 mi) with 36 setups. Sarawak Chamber,
the world’s largest underground chamber, was pho-
tographed using Megaflash bulbs and a Panorama
setup.
What takes people half way round the world to suf-
fer, survey, and pay for the privilege? Curiosity and
wonder seem to play a large part, knowing that you
are the first person to explore and survey a place,
finding out what is round the corner and discovering
crystal speleothems, the formation of which is not
yet understood. Large areas of Mulu limestone have
no known cave. This is sure to spur future expedi-
tions.
About the author:
Kevin Dixon is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical
Society, a Land Surveyor with a Degree in Computer
Science and Mathematics from the University of York,
UK, where he is based. ([email protected])
The Mulu Caves Project and Gunung Mulu National Park
The Mulu Caves Project is a collaboration between
UK and Malaysian speleologists and the Sarawak
Authorities in Malaysia. The expeditions are largely
self-funded by the members and usually take place
biannually. Preparations are lengthy and involve con-
siderable assistance from the Sarawak Authorities,
Sarawak Forestry Corporation officials, and National
Park management.
Gunung Mulu National Park is well worth a visit, espe-
cially taking a walk through Deer Cave before watch-
ing the evening exodus of the estimated 3 million
bats. Several adventure cave trips with experienced
guides are also available, starting from the recently
renovated park headquarters. Camp 5 is in a beauti-
ful setting and is used as a base camp for viewing the
razor sharp blades of the Limestone Pinnacles, some
reaching higher than the rainforest canopy nestling
between them. Much of the wildlife is nocturnal, a
slow walk along a jungle trail at night is often well
rewarded. Mulu has its own airport with regular
flights from Miri and Kuching. (www.mulupark.com)
A good collection of photographs for the Mulu region
including caves and wildlife can be viewed at
www.shonephotography.com.
18 | Reporter 66
With Glass Millimeters Matterby Axel Wagner
“Trinity Leeds – your retail soulmate is coming …”
This is the slogan on the website www.trinity-
leeds.com, announcing the planned opening of
a major shopping center in the middle of the
English city of Leeds in the spring of 2013. Con-
sulting engineers GEOSYS-Eber provided survey-
ing services to the German steelwork contractor
in charge of erecting the giant steel and glass
domed roof structure and several smaller roofs;
a challenge that demanded top-class perfor-
mance from the surveying engineers and the
highest precision from their Leica TCRP1202+
total station.
Construction of the Trinity Leeds shopping center
started in May 2011 and the main domed roof was
complete by the end of November. For the con-
struction of the roof a 25 m (82 ft) high scaffolding,
exactly matching the shape of the dome, had to be
erected. Temporary props on the top of the scaf-
folding carried the load of the roof until the edge
supports were installed. The extremely light and fine
lines of the glass dome catch the eye immediately:
all surfaces are rounded and mainly curved in two
directions so that no regular geometrical shapes,
such as segments of spheres, cylinders etc., could
be used.
The Cuplock scaffolding system was constructed with
1.30 x 1.30 m (4.3 x 4.3 ft) bays to follow the domed
roof and provide a working space some 1.50 and
1.80 m (4.9 and 5.9 ft) high. Prefabricated frame units
known on site as “ladders” were then assembled
to form the domed shape. Longitudinal and trans-
verse spars were welded together into frames with
15 x 15 x 15 cm (5.9 x 5.9 x 5.9 in) solid steel blocks
forming the nodes at the intersections. These coni-
cal, machined nodes were marked with a point on
their top and bottom for which a “design coordinate”
was calculated. The surveying engineer then had to
ensure this coordinate was achieved as accurately as
possible so the absolute position anywhere on the
roof surface did not deviate from the design value by
more than 20 mm (0.79 in). Still more stringent how-
ever was the required relative accuracy of the ladder
infill bays, which had to accommodate the inserted
The Global Magazine of Leica Geosystems | 19
immediately surveyed with the TCRP1202+ total sta-
tion before being moved into place. This process
could take up to half a day – depending on how
accurately the ladder was prepositioned and, in par-
ticular, whether fabrication tolerances had been met.
After the area had been covered with “ladders”, the
edge tubes were connected to the permanent edge
supports, which would then carry the loads. These
edge tubes are curved steel tubes of up to 350 mm
(14 in) in diameter, the inner chords of which are
welded to the ladders. The bearing arms for the roof
supports sit on the outer edges and the thrust bear-
ing for the roof supports is formed with steel plates
set into the building.
The final stage was the phased removal of the tem-
porary props. They were lowered millimeter by mil-
limeter until the load of the giant glass dome was
carried by the curved edge beams and the roof sup-
ports alone.
About the author: Axel Wagner is an engineer with
consulting engineers Geosys-Eber in Munich.
prefabricated glass panels - the tolerance here was
only ± 2 mm (0.08 in).
Since the Trinity development is part of the city’s
pedestrian zone, the scheduled times for trucks
delivering the 12 x 3 m (39 x 10 ft) ladders had to be
met to the minute. Each transport movement had to
take place within a 10-minute window and the trucks
were unloaded immediately upon arrival to keep any
obstruction of the inner city area to a minimum. One
of the largest unknowns in this operation was the
English weather, which from time to time blew our
plans to the winds or almost drowned us. For the
installation, the ladders had to be taken out of their
vertical storage position and then placed down hori-
zontally to be lifted by the crane. The cranes had
lifting chains adjusted to the exact lengths required
to set each ladder down on all its temporary props
simultaneously. If this were not done precisely, the
props would have given way like matchsticks, as they
could only carry the weight by acting together.
Once a ladder was within a few centimeters of its
final position, it was secured with chain hoists and
20 | Reporter 66
Highest Precision and no Waste by Cornelia Dietz
The carpenter's job description has changed con-
siderably since modern milling machines started
appearing in workshops and we seldom see them
with planes or chisels in their hands anymore. To
be able to fulfill the individual wishes of its cus-
tomers quickly and reliably, cabinetmakers Fried
AG, based in Bever near St. Moritz (Switzerland),
also needs to keep its computer technology up
to date. The company was on the lookout for a
simple but smart solution to produce customers’
orders precisely, from measurement to milling.
Fried processes between 150 – 200 m³ (196 – 262 yd³)
of wood annually, predominantly homegrown tim-
ber but also some exotic hardwoods. The company
passed into the hands of the second generation of
family management in 1991, now concentrating on
interior architecture and the manufacture of built-to-
order kitchens, doors, and cupboards to the specific
requirements of its customers.
One of these orders involved retrofitting a door in a
hallway to create a separate vestibule. Making doors
by hand is an extremely precise operation and always
begins with careful on-site measurements. “Nothing
is more tiresome than a door based on imprecise
measurements, which as a result is not an immediate
good fit. Installation is time-consuming and the qual-
ity of the finished product suffers,” explains Project
Manager Sandro Malgiaritta. “Until we had the Leica
3D Disto, we turned up on site with conventional
equipment such as notebooks, measuring tapes,
squares, spirit levels, and retractable tapes, or we
made templates. Because of the conical wall reveal
and the irregular segmental door arch, this method
would have been very time-consuming and prone
to error on this job.” An additional charge would
have applied to the manufacture of the door and
the installation would have required several iterative
stages to get a perfect fit.
Measuring the existing dimensions on site with the
new Leica 3D Disto on the other hand was a simple
CAD. Next he programmed the CNC machine. The raw
material was cut to size, planed, and then machined
in the CNC milling machine. Using this marvel of
technology, any complicated shape can be precisely
and quickly machined and identically reproduced –
whether sizing cuts, profiles, ornaments, etc. CNC
stands for “Computerized Numerical Control”; a digi-
tal process that ensures the component is machined
to fit exactly into the desired position. Afterwards,
the parts are finished and can be assembled. The
new door was then fitted into its precise position
on site.
“We were able to reduce the installation time for the
door by two-thirds. The customer was also pleased
because he received a very neat product that offered
him additional value,” says a delighted Malgiaritta.
His initial skepticism as to whether the Leica 3D Disto
could measure the existing dimensions to millimeter
accuracy – and do so for walls and rooms with such
oblique angles – has long disappeared. The Leica 3D
Disto has since become an essential tool for many
other projects.
About the author:
Cornelia Dietz is Project Manager Marketing for Leica
Geosystems AG in Heerbrugg/Switzerland.
task. Sandro Malgiaritta set up the instrument to car-
ry out an automatic scan every 2 cm (0.79 in): along
the wall, past the corner to the irregularly shaped
arch and from there to the opposite wall and back to
the floor. This was done in just a few minutes. The
handy control unit, which communicates with the
Leica 3D Disto via WiFi, was a great help. Measure-
ments can be triggered and displayed as a drawing
on its clear, high-resolution screen.
Back in the office Malgiaritta imported the raw mea-
surements onto his computer as DXF files from a USB
stick. He then created the drawing for the doors in
"With the Leica 3D Disto, I can work with precise dimensions from the initial measurement to the installation on site. We’ve come full circle – I think that's brilliant."Sandro Malgiaritta,
Project Manager Fried AG
22 | Reporter 66
by Christine L. Grahl
Creating visual effects (commonly known as
VFX) with digital technologies and computer-
generated imagery (CGI) is spawning a massive
new industry, one that holds substantial prom-
ise for filmmakers and data wranglers alike. In
March 2012, science fiction author Edgar Rice
Burroughs’ vision finally came to life on the big
screen in Disney’s highly anticipated blockbust-
er John Carter – thanks in small part to the skills
of several surveyors with VFX expertise. Other
opportunities are quickly emerging on the visual
effects horizon as well.
The push to achieve ever-more-stunning visual
effects in films and video games is creating new
opportunities for surveyors and other spatial data
management experts.
A High Demand for Visual EffectsAs the demand for visual effects has exploded, so
has the need to create these effects in ways that
are faster, better, and cheaper. The result is a host
of emerging opportunities for individuals who are
highly skilled in spatial data management and the
broad world of data wrangling. “VFX work in film and
television is, fundamentally, coordinate geometry,”
said Duncan Lees, co-owner and director of 4DMax,
a prominent VFX and forensic geomatics firm head-
quartered near London. “We take real-world objects
and spaces and create accurate computer versions
of them. Sometimes this is done photographically,
sometimes with lasers, sometimes with GNSS receiv-
ers or total stations, but mostly with a combination
of several types of kits. The data we deliver is used
quickly and to the limits of both its precision and
accuracy, so there is a real requirement for quality
data.”
Lees, who was part of the visual effects team for
John Carter and has worked on other big-budget Hol-
lywood films such as Captain America, X Men First
Class, and the Narnia films with 4DMax co-owner
Louise Brand, notes that any increase in the quality
of data, the speed of its delivery, or the integra-
tion of geometry and movement improves the end
product and increases the viewing experience for the
moviegoer – a key factor in boosting ticket sales.
These requirements, along with an increasing push
Surveying for the Movies
The Global Magazine of Leica Geosystems | 23
>>
toward 3D, have led to a surge in demand for laser
scan data in particular. To meet this demand, 4DMax
has invested heavily in state-of-the-art software
and hardware, including the acquisition of a Leica
ScanStation C10 earlier this year. The company aims
to be a one-stop shop for all 3D VFX data, providing
an integrated response to the varied VFX workload
through a single contract.
“In theory, a lot of people with a survey background
could work effectively in some areas of VFX,” Lees
said. “But in reality, it is not just the technical know-
how that is essential; it is also the networking and
people skills that secure the work and keep people
happy. No jobs or contracts in VFX are advertised
anywhere. It is all word of mouth. It has taken us 10
years to be able to run a thriving VFX 3D data capture
and modeling business.”
A Highly Rewarding ExperienceBesides needing the right connections, VFX pro-
fessionals must be able to work in an extremely
demanding environment. “VFX teams have no use
for paper plots of floor plans, sections or eleva-
tions”, says Lees; all of the deliverables are purely
digital, and expectations for quality are ridiculously
high. Deliveries are typically due in hours or days
rather than weeks, extensive travel is required, and
14- to 16-hour days are typical. Lees describes how
on two recent movie sets, his team set up and cali-
brated their equipment in one studio or sound stage;
scanned people, props and places for 14 hours each
day; and then took down and moved their equipment
to another studio or sound stage in preparation for
another 14 hours of work the next day. “Every job is
exhausting and, at times, demoralizing,” he said.
The flip side is that it’s often a thrilling and highly
rewarding experience. “We love working with cre-
ative and respectful and talented people who are
prepared to let us be professional and who respond
positively to our experience and informed problem
solving,” Lees said. “The work is difficult and chal-
lenging, but the respect is enormous.”
For Will Haynes, a third-generation surveyor and
owner of FX Surveys in Los Angeles, working in the
film industry provides an artistic outlet for his skills.
“It’s fun being part of a creative team,” said Haynes,
who recently worked as a set surveyor for Universal’s
4DMax scanned the Taj Mahal for a VXF production.
24 | Reporter 66
Fast Five and Disney’s John Carter after several years
of strategic networking. “Even though you’re work-
ing really hard and long hours, it goes by quickly. The
work is often fun, social and interesting – you’re part
of a pretty tight-knit visual effects team when you’re
on set. And you’re also helping to create an artistic
product, even though it’s in a highly technical way.
Realistic Scenes for Video GamesTechnology continues to evolve at a rapid pace. The
emergence of lower-cost laser scanners such as the
Leica ScanStation C5 is making it easier for profes-
sionals to acquire 3D data capture technologies.
Meanwhile, the general public is learning to appreci-
ate point clouds thanks to technologies like Micro-
soft’s Kinect, which captures 4D point cloud data
for use with the Xbox 360 gaming system; at the
same time, developments in open-source software
are facilitating the manipulation of data for a wide
variety of creative applications.
Such advances are already occurring, as evidenced
by games like Activision’s Call of Duty, which has
broken numerous sales records largely due to its abil-
ity to fully immerse players in the realistic scenes.
Other developments involve the use of laser scan-
ning to create games that are easily scalable for a
wide range of gaming systems and handheld devices.
In the highly competitive world of films and video
games, each new effect will undoubtedly spur other
directors and developers to go even further in their
quest for a superior experience. Surveyors looking
for a new adventure would do well to keep their
eyes on both the big screen and consumer gaming
devices. “Everyone is looking for more and more
visual effects, and it seems like everything is in 3D,”
said Haynes. “I don’t see things slowing down in this
industry anytime soon.”
This article is adapted from the original issue pub-
lished in POB October 2011. The full version is avail-
able at www.geodatapoint.com.
About the author: Christine Grahl is the editor of POB
and GeoDataPoint.com. ([email protected])
Duncan Lees: [email protected]
Will Haynes: [email protected]
The Global Magazine of Leica Geosystems | 25
Smooth Road to the Gamesby Anton Ivanov
When the alpine and nordic athletes drive from
Sochi to their temporary homes in February
2014 for the XXII Olympic Winter Games, they
will travel on smooth new roads. A GOMACO
concrete paver equipped with Leica PaveSmart
3D is paving the way through six new tunnels
with a total length of 27.5 km (17.1 mi).
The Bamtonnelstroy company, specializing in tunnel
engineering works, was hired as a contractor to pave
the surfaces through six new road tunnels. Bamton-
nelstroy’s surveyors have chosen to equip a Gomaco
paver with the Leica PaveSmart 3D concrete paving
system provided by Navgeocom, Leica Geosystems’
Russian master distributor. It was the first time this
solution was supplied in Russia.
Bamtonnelstroy’s engineers will proceed with the
concrete foundation pouring after all six tunnels for
this road project have been bored. Because of the
round shape of the tunnel walls, stringlines cannot
be used for guidance inside the tunnels. Instead, the
Gomaco Commander III will be paving concrete with
a 6 m profile width through the tunnels. Position-
ing will be accomplished with three Leica TPS1200+
robotic total stations and two prisms fixed on the
paver’s screed. The total stations are mounted on
special brackets fixed to the tunnel walls every 150 m
(492 ft). The exact coordinates of the brackets are
determined using the leveling reference network.
The total stations guide the paver through the tunnel
continuously: two instruments guide the paver, while
the third waits its turn. Data from the total stations
is transferred to the paver’s on-board computer via
radio. The computer then compares the prism loca-
tion with the project design and refines the place-
ment of the concrete form.
By utilizing the concrete paving system Leica 3D
PaveSmart the first test road surface was estab-
lished with a vertical deviation of less than ± 2 mm
(0.08 in) from the project design. The system has
three key benefits: it removes the need to check
stringlines by walking along the rounded tunnel walls
and damaging newly built, wet roadway; it eliminates
human error; and it reduces construction time, sav-
ing the contractor money.
About the author:
Anton Ivanov is Public Relations Manager at Navgeo-
com, Leica Geosystems' Master Distributor in Russia.
26 | Reporter 66
Climate – the Answers are in the Soilby Dr. Michaela Bach
Soil is not only the basis for the production of
food, it also plays an important role in climate
protection. Carbon reservoir in soil is discussed
in the report on greenhouse gas sources and
sinks in the United Nations Framework Con-
vention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). At the
moment, Germany has no extensive, up-to-date
data on carbon reservoirs in agriculture soils.
To plug this gap in the country's knowledge, the
Institute of Agricultural Climate Research at the
Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute (vTI) in
Braunschweig is undertaking a research project
to develop a German agricultural soil inventory
over the coming years. A systematic and repre-
sentative determination of the current carbon
reservoirs in soils used for agricultural purposes
is intended to provide consistent base data for
the German National Emission Inventory Report.
Over the next few years, georeferenced data will be
collected at more than 3,000 locations using GPS/
GNSS and samples will be taken and stored for evalu-
ation in an extensive geodatabase as part of the
‘Agricultural soil inventory’ project. Researchers
will be creating a unique systematic data set, which
should provide the answers to numerous questions
in future years: How large are the carbon reservoirs
in the agricultural soil of Germany? What influence
© M
. W
ell
ing
/ Th
ün
en
-In
stit
ut
vTI also uses sensors to measure global radiation.
The Global Magazine of Leica Geosystems | 27
will climate change have on soil carbon reservoirs?
How do climate, land use, and management affect
soil carbon reservoirs? What influence does soil and
its specific characteristics have on the carbon stored
within it?
This and other questions relevant to research will be
investigated on the basis of this extensive fieldwork
project. Precise georeferencing is necessary to be
able to analyze and evaluate the large amount of
data in a meaningful way in the future. “Our task in
the field is to achieve a 2D accuracy of 30 cm (11.8 in).
Only then can we use the data efficiently for subse-
quent modeling and be sure that we can always find
the locations used in the ‘Agricultural soil inventory’
again if we need to,” explains Lars Konen, Fieldwork
Manager.
We established a grid for the fieldwork to ensure the
samples were random. Samples were taken in a com-
plex spatial process every 8 x 8 km (5 x 5 mi) on agri-
cultural land and the information was collected.
The fieldwork team determined the precise position
using a Leica Viva Uno and a Leica Viva CS10 control-
ler. Through the use of an external antenna on the
pole and the connection to a data correction service
provided by ascos, the sampling points are selected
and surveyed all over Germany. Soil scientist Lars
Konen: “For the mapping teams in the field, it is
important we use a simple-to-operate, robust, and
reliable system that can be operated intuitively by
all team members after a short training and induc-
tion phase.” For this reason, the project manage-
ment team decided in favor of this system and a
cooperation with Leica Geosystems: “High failure
safety, Germany-wide support, and extensive net-
work coverage through the reference data service
were important criteria. Moreover, it was essential to
us that the device be modular and could therefore be
modified for use in future research projects under-
taken by the Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute,”
says Lars Konen.
About the author:
Dr. Michaela Bach, geographer and soil scientist,
works at the Thünen Institute as Manager of Scientific
Evaluation on the ‘Agricultural soil inventory’ project.
About the Thünen Institute
How does increasing international competition affect
agriculture, forestry, and trends in agricultural pric-
es? What consequences does climate change have
for agricultural, forestry, and marine ecosystems?
Which technical innovations will allow raw materials
to be used more efficiently? These questions give an
insight into the broad range of topics being investi-
gated by the Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute.
The aim of the research is to develop concepts for
a sustainable, ecologically compatible, and competi-
tive agricultural and food industry; forest and timber
industry; and sea-fish and aquaculture industry to
contribute to the solution to specific problems of
agricultural regions. The Thünen Institute is a depart-
ment research establishment of the German Federal
Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protec-
tion.
More information at:
www.vti.bund.de or www.bze-landwirtschaft.de
28 | Reporter 66
Modeling the World'sDeepest Mineby Rekha Voralia and James Jobling Purser
Owned by Anglo Gold Ashanti and employing
6,000 people, Mponeng Mine is part of the old
Western Deep Levels Complex, near Johannes-
burg, South Africa and, as of last year, is official-
ly classified by The Guinness Book of Records as
the world’s deepest mine. At its deepest point
the mine extends to a depth of 4.1 km (2.5 mi)
below surface, where the rock temperatures
can reach 60 ̊C (140 °F) and the ambient temper-
ature reaches 36 ̊C (97 °F). To highlight potential
problem areas before the installation of a new
conveyor, a monorail, and a chair-lift at the mine
a survey was carried out to build an accurate as-
built 3D model of the development.
Using the 3D CAD model of the declines the rele-
vant service infrastructure could be overlaid in a vir-
tual CAD environment to determine any areas that
needed modifying before construction and instal-
lation commenced. Small deviations from the origi-
nal design could potentially cause problems during
installation, so creating a 3D model was critical in
preventing delays and costly overruns.
Creating a 3D CAD Model The scope of the job was to survey 3 km of develop-
ment declines which had been identified as deviat-
ing from the original design and could affect the
installation. The project has four parallel declines
that have been developed at an inclination of - 7.5 °,
progressing from levels 120 to 123 and 126. Under-
ground mine surveying specialists 3D MSI were com-
missioned with three objectives: Firstly, to survey
three of the four declines in 3D; secondly, to use the
3D CAD model to identify potential problem areas;
and finally, to superimpose the geo-referenced CAD
models of the services to aid in the identification of
these problem areas.
The Global Magazine of Leica Geosystems | 29
Modeling the World'sDeepest Mine
cessing point cloud data and 3D Reshaper for mod-
eling. Owing to difficulties with the fine tolerances
between the extent of the infrastructure and the
tunnel design, 3D MSI surveyed down to - 3,900 m
(2.42 mi) to provide a comprehensive analysis of
problem areas prior to the installations. A total of 240
separate scans were taken for all 3 of the declines,
equating to a combined distance of 3.5 km (2.2 mi).
Comparison to Original Design A complete wireframe was constructed for each
decline using 3D Reshaper; this allowed a compari-
son to be made between the original design and the
model of the actual development. Once the wire-
frame had been created it was possible to combine
the 3D design with the CAD models of the equipment
being fitted into the declines to ascertain whether
they were going to fit as designed.
One of the most obvious discrepancies observed
was at the top of decline 2. If the conveyor had
been installed as originally designed, it would have
penetrated the sidewall 1.2 km (0.7 mi) further down
the decline. By superimposing the conveyor into the
decline in the CAD environment it was possible to
adjust the conveyor’s position in a virtual setting
to determine if there was a solution to the prob-
lem without having to undertake costly engineering
work. By doing this it became apparent that if the
conveyor were moved 0.5m to the left it could fit
without the need for any modifications to the tunnel
profile.
About the authors:
Rekha Voralia is Marketing Manager at Leica Geo-
systems Ltd ([email protected]);
James Jobling Purser is Managing Director at 3D MSI.
Based in the United Kingdom, 3D Mine Surveying
International Limited (3D MSI) specialize in under-
ground mine surveying and 3D modeling of survey
data. From site works to data processing and creat-
ing complex 3D drawings, 3D MSI use the latest laser
scanning instrumentation and a specially designed
remote surveying vehicle (RSV) to survey under-
ground operations at high speed. Working closely
with mine surveyors, design engineers, and health
and safety auditors, the resulting data is used to
ensure mine operations become safer and more effi-
cient with modern surveying technology.
To conduct the survey 3D MSI used the Leica Scan-
Station C10, Leica HDS6000, and the Leica HDS6100
High Definition Surveying™ laser scanners. Software
used included Leica Cyclone for collecting and pro-
A Challenging Working Environment
Work in the mining industry is highly challenging,
surveyors not only have to put up with working in
confined conditions but they also have to cope with
a constant flow of traffic dirt and extreme heat.
Any delays in mining activity can result in hundreds
and thousands of pounds in lost income so 3D MSI
(www.3dmsi.co.uk) were under immense pressure to
ensure their work was conducted with speed and
minimal disruption to the daily work of the mine.
Their business depends on reliable, fast, and accu-
rate technology and working with Leica Geosystems
is fundamental to the success of 3D MSI.
The speed and accuracy of this technology can save
mining companies hundreds of thousands of pounds
per contract.
© K
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30 | Reporter 66
Heavy Loads on Weak Foundations
by Kazuhiro Nii and Dr. Yun Zhang
The newly opened D-Runway at Tokyo Interna-
tional Airport Haneda was a complex structure
to build, as it is located on reclaimed land. Heavy
airplanes weighing hundreds of tons each, take
off and land on the newly constructed runway
daily. Continuous monitoring is important for
safe operation, as large movements can influ-
ence the safety of the runway.
D-Runway was constructed on Japan’s first hybrid
structure at the mouth of Tama River in Tokyo Bay,
consisting of reclaimed land, platforms of piers, and
a taxiway, all connected to the present airport. In
the landfill portion, soil needed to be improved and
re-filled to prevent consolidation subsidence caused
by weak foundations. At the pier site, steel pipes
nearly 100 m long were sunk into the sea at specified
intervals. A cover was built around it to keep the river
flowing smoothly.
With this complex structure and construction meth-
od, the connection between landfill/pier as well as
the joints between pier/taxiway were assumed to be
moving and/or to sink due to secular change. Move-
ments must be accurately measured, especially dur-
ing earthquakes, as the amount of movement is one
of the criteria used to assess whether D-Runway is
in a satisfactory condition for safe operation or not.
Installation of the System The monitoring system was designed for mainte-
nance and management of the runway with its com-
plex characteristics. Dozens of GNSS monitoring
points were installed and have been monitoring sec-
ular changes as well as any movements during earth-
quakes since the runway was opened. The system
measures the movements of two relative positions;
sets of two points were installed in these positions
across the joints to measure the movements at the
joints in the different structures.
Antennas were installed at ground level near the run-
way at the landfill and pier sides to avoid interfer-
ence with aircraft operation, and at the taxiway they
were installed at points outside the airport height
restriction.
© K
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The Global Magazine of Leica Geosystems | 31
A Leica GMX902 GG with an AX1203+ GNSS antenna
were installed on the roof of the Fire Department’s
east building at the side of the airport, rather than
near the runway. The antenna was seismically iso-
lated by fixing a vibration absorber around it so posi-
tioning can be performed even in the middle of an
earthquake. Since antennas were put in the ground,
data reception may be disrupted by aircraft activ-
ity, so the system also collects data using GLONASS
signals to maintain a horizontal accuracy of 10 mm
(0.39 in).
Data Collection & Analysis Monitoring data captured on the runway is trans-
ferred to and analyzed by the server located in
the monitoring control room in the Fire Depart-
ment building. Both Leica GNSS Spider and custom
designed monitoring software for D-Runway, devel-
oped by Leica Geosystems’ partner Geosurf Corp.
(Tokyo, Japan), are running on the server. Spider con-
tinuously analyzes the data at 20 Hz and outputs the
results to the Geosurf software with a GGQ message
uniquely developed by Leica Geosystems. It converts
world geodetic coordinates to plane coordinates
based on the runway, and then uploads collected
data in files to the government server.
The processing system broadly consists of three
tasks: constant airport taxiway and runway monitor-
ing, earthquake monitoring, and post processing of
an earthquake. Constant monitoring performs real
time analysis, transferring LB2 data from monitoring
points to Leica Spider via socket communication, by
TCP/IP. It calculates each median of the 3D coordi-
nates from data at 20 Hz every two hours. It can also
improve the accuracy of the results by getting final
medians after deleting false values caused by IQR
(inter-quartile range). The earthquake monitoring
system can capture the exact start and end times of
earthquakes by receiving electric trigger signals from
the seismometer installed on the runway.
About the authors:
Kazuhiro Nii is Chief Technology Officer and Execu-
tive Vice President at Geosurf Corporation. He has 14
years of experience with GNSS system integration.
Dr. Yun Zhang is Chief System Engineer at Geosurf
Corporation. He is also a professor at the Shanghai
Ocean University. ([email protected])
Tokyo International Airport Haneda
The Haneda Airfield first opened in 1931 on a small
piece of waterfront land at the south end of today's
airport complex. In 1939 the airport's first runway
was extended to 800 m and a second 800 m (2,625 ft)
runway was completed.
In 1964, Japan lifted travel restrictions on its citizens,
causing passenger traffic at the airport to swell. A
new runway and an international terminal were com-
pleted in 1970, but demand continued to outpace
expansion.
The fourth runway, D-Runway, was constructed via
land reclamation to the south of the existing air-
field and was completed in 2010. This runway was
designed to increase Haneda's operational capacity
from 285,000 movements to 407,000 movements
per year, permitting increased frequencies on exist-
ing routes, as well as routes to new destinations.
Source: Wikipedia
Illustrations, descriptions, and technical data are not binding. All rights reserved. Printed in Switzerland. Copyright Leica Geosystems AG, Heerbrugg, Switzerland, 2012. 741803en – V.12 – RVA
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