The drone is a powerful UAV that can fly using aerodynamic forces. The aerial vehicle receives commands remotely from the pilot or flies autonomously. Due to their unique perspective, they are becoming an important part of different industries. Even in the case of construction sector drones are being used on a wide scale.
In this guide, we will discuss different types of drones used in the construction industry. If you need the best drone for construction, follow this blog post.
Drones for the construction industry:
Generally, three types of drones are used for surveying construction sites. The same has been mentioned below.
Multirotor drones:
The most important one is Multirotor drones.
- They work like helicopters and have a main body and many rotors. That is, they can take off and land vertically.
- These drones are good for surveying construction sites where horizontal movement is needed. These drones are used in the case of roads.
- They can capture detailed information about the sites.
- Fixed-wing drones are better for vertical movement like building tall structures. But multirotor drones are useful for small areas because they are easy to fly in small spaces.
- They can be used to get close views of construction projects.
Examples of these types of drones are DJI’s Mavic 3 Enterprise and Phantom 4 RTK.
Fixed-wing drones:
A fixed-wing drone is like a plane with solid wings.
- It does not move like a helicopter, but can only move forward.
- As the drone does not have to stay in the air, it helps in saving energy.
- These drones can fly far and cover big areas. These drones can work for a long time and easily fly for around 2 hours or even more. But some can even fly for 16 hours. Drones that fly for long hours have strong engines.
- A fixed-wing drone can fly high and carry heavy things. They are more stable in the air than other drones.
Fixed-wing/VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing):
This drone for construction is a combination of multirotor and fixed-wing drones.
- They can take off and land like a quadcopter. But once this drone is in the air, its works like a fixed-wing drone. This allows them to fly for longer periods.
- They can cover larger areas for mapping purposes.
- Examples of this type of drone are WingtraOne and Quantum-Systems Trinity F90+.
Which drone is best for the construction industry?
To choose the right drone for your construction site you have to consider 3 factors. These are the size of the survey area, camera requirements, and your budget.
Size of the construction site:
For large construction sites, you must use fixed-wing/VTOL drones. These drones fly fast. On a single charge, they can work for a long time. Due to this, they are the best for big projects. Quadcopters are better for smaller areas and hilly regions.
Fixed-wing drones need lots of space for taking turns and for takeoff/landing. So, it is better not to use them for small and congested areas. VTOL drones are an exception as they can hover and perform like fixed-wing drones.
Hence, if the construction site is less than 200 hectares (500 acres), you can use a quadcopter. But for larger areas, you have to use fixed-wing or fixed-wing/VTOL drones.
Camera specifications:
If you are using a drone for earthwork sites, then make sure the camera has at least a 20MP sensor. You have to keep in mind the specifications that affect ground sample distance (GSD) and image resolution. The accuracy of survey results is based on GSD.
All drone types have good cameras for accurate surveys. But drones like the Mavic 3 Enterprise, have fixed cameras. These cannot be upgraded for higher resolution. Other drones, like fixed-wing and fixed-wing/VTOL drones, have multiple camera options. This is for different resolution levels. Choose the camera that matches your requirement.
Budget requirements:
In the case of a drone for construction, the cost of this Unmanned Aerial Vehicle is an important factor. Fixed-wing/VTOL drones are more expensive than quadcopters. This is because they have longer battery life. They can also fly fast.
Consider the total cost when making your decision. Quadcopters have more moving parts and lower-quality components. Hence, they may need to be replaced every few years. Fixed-wing/VTOL drones cost more initially. But they last for a long time.
For most construction sites under 500 acres, quadcopters are a good starting choice. They provide excellent image quality and sufficient flight time. However, for large open areas or high speed, a fixed-wing/VTOL drone is better.
Drones are changing the construction industry:
The Clarity in Project Monitoring:
In construction projects, various subcontractors are involved to complete specialized tasks. However, sometimes subcontractors focus only on their tasks. Drone surveying offers project managers a higher level of clarity and accuracy in monitoring the overall progress. This enables them to have a better understanding of how each task fits into the larger project. Moreover, it also reduces miscommunications and delays.
Improved Efficiency and Timelines:
Accurate data is required for effective project planning. Traditional surveying methods often require time-consuming processes. This can cause delays. But drone surveying significantly speeds up the data collection process. It also maintains high accuracy levels. This allows for quicker decision-making and reduces project timelines. With drone surveying, project managers can track progress more efficiently.
Environmental Considerations:
Drone surveying also plays a role in environmental sustainability in construction. By optimizing worksite efficiency, projects can progress with fewer errors. This generates less waste. This not only helps the business but also contributes to the protection of the local environment. Drone surveying helps identify environmentally sensitive areas, such as wildlife habitats and water drainage features. This approach allows construction companies to address potential impacts on natural resources.
Know about The Benefits of Drones in the Construction Sector:
Drones have brought several changes in the construction industry. Check out the benefits of drones in this industry.
- Drone surveying is much faster than traditional methods. This allows surveyors to cover larger areas in less time. This has helped in improving efficiency.
- Using drones in construction can reduce costs. Traditional surveying requires more time and manpower. This results in more expenses. Drones require fewer hours of work and can save companies a lot amount of money.
- Drone surveying eliminates the need for surveyors to enter dangerous or difficult-to-reach areas on construction sites. Accident and injury risk decreases with drones.
- It also helps in saving a lot of time and is known for better data accuracy as compared to traditional methods.
Conclusion:
These days drones are used in different industries like drones for insurance adjusters and in the construction industry. Mentioned above are the different kinds of drones in the construction industry. You need to select the drone based on your requirement and budget. So, start using drones in construction surveying at the earliest.
If you are looking for a company that can provide drones then check the website of Canada Sky Drone Services. Here you can get different types of drones for different kinds of work at genuine prices.
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