In a world where technology is advancing quickly, construction monitoring is changing, adopting innovative tools that optimize processes and ensure precision. Drone mapping, for example, has transformed the way engineers and construction companies visualize and manage their projects.
In this article, we dive into the experience of Construtora Aterpa, which faced significant challenges in tailings dam decommissioning and found in the Maply platform the ideal solution to overcome them. Follow along.
Challenges in self-rescue zones: Construtora Aterpa’s experience
Carlos, planning engineer at Construtora Aterpa, gave us a detailed view of the challenges faced in decommissioning tailings dams in self-rescue zones: "We are working on tailings dam decommissioning inside self-rescue zones, which are areas where there would not be enough time for an emergency response in the event of a dam failure."
Of the five dams on site, four have access restrictions. In three of them, access is so limited that it only allows entry on foot, and only when equipment is not operating.
This situation highlights the need for an extremely careful approach, given the severity of the associated risk, especially with dams classified as level 3. These represent a potential failure scenario, making the need for innovative technological solutions even clearer.
The drone revolution in construction monitoring
For Carlos, capturing drone imagery and using the Maply platform were intuitive and uncomplicated: "It is my first time. I did not face any challenge. As for implementing the drone and using the Maply platform, I found the experience incredibly intuitive, with no difficulty," reveals the planning engineer. The use of drones provided a comprehensive view of the works, allowing access to previously inaccessible areas.
With regular flights, the team obtained detailed information about the project’s topography, geometry and progress, identifying areas of attention and optimizing actions.
The precision of drone mapping
The combination of capturing drone imagery and using the Maply platform, with its digital processing software, allowed the team to load the real terrain conditions into unmanned equipment, ensuring precise cuts and fills.
According to Carlos, this precision was only possible thanks to the contribution of the drone and the Maply platform: "The drone performs mapping flights to capture precise terrain coordinates. We can load the real terrain conditions into the unmanned equipment. This precision is crucial and is only achieved thanks to the drone, which significantly improves the quality of our work. Without Maply, we would not be able to do this."
Carlos shared a specific example that illustrates Maply’s precision and effectiveness in challenging projects: "We are working on a clay reinforcement project involving around 150,000 m3 of reinforcement. We had doubts about the borrow pit, located approximately 2 km from the reinforcement site, and whether it had the required volume. After a mapping flight over the pit and the presentation of a 3D model in the meeting, we used the Maply platform to define the excavation and material handling strategy."
He emphasizes the importance of the precision provided by the combination of the drone and the Maply platform: "The drone performs mapping flights to capture precise terrain coordinates. This precision is crucial and is only achieved thanks to the drone, which significantly improves the quality of our work."
Efficient communication and decision-making with Maply
Carlos highlights how Maply became essential to facilitate construction management, especially communication between teams. For example, the team uploads the project to the platform, visualizing errors and optimizing solutions.
Maply not only helps identify problems, but also provides an interactive and visual way for all departments to understand the situation. "This allows the production team to see where the mistakes are in the field," Carlos comments. He emphasizes the importance of the platform for safety matters, allowing everyone involved to have a clear and detailed view of the project’s challenges and progress.
Carlos also mentions the regular practice of performing complete volume surveys at the beginning of each month. "This helps maintain transparency and alignment throughout the project," he explains. With Maply, the team can draw the structure and upload it to the platform, making client presentations easier. "The client needs to understand what each stage of the work will look like. So, in safety meetings, we can show the berm design, where access will take place and other details," Carlos highlights.
Finally, the platform’s ability to provide detailed 3D visualizations has been an invaluable tool for the team. "We use Maply frequently, especially during our meetings. When we face a problem, the first step is to open the 3D visualization and the plan on the screen," says Carlos. He concludes by reinforcing the importance of the platform: "Maply played a fundamental role in communication between the project teams."
Maply 2.0: a new era of construction monitoring
The recent update to the platform, Maply 2.0, impressed Carlos. This version, improved based on valuable user suggestions, was developed to meet the most demanding needs of engineers and surveyors.
It offers advanced features that change the way we interpret and visualize geospatial information. One of the main improvements is the ability to visualize contour lines in 2D and 3D, enabling a detailed analysis of the terrain relief.
In addition, the new 3D visualization feature enables a more immersive visual analysis across different monitoring moments of a project.
With the ability to access 3D surface projects, the platform, according to Carlos, "(...) allows us to view annotations, compare the designed surface with reality and identify where to cut, maintain, adjust or correct." He concludes: "It is truly powerful and impactful. This platform has become an essential part of our work; honestly, I cannot imagine how we would execute the project without it."
Watch our exclusive video, where we present an in-depth view of Maply 2.0’s incredible features:
In a scenario where precision and efficiency are crucial, the Maply platform stands out as the ideal choice for construction monitoring. Whether in dam decommissioning or other engineering projects, the combination of drone mapping and a robust platform like Maply delivers exceptional results.
If you want to take your projects to a new level of excellence, do not miss the opportunity to transform your approach to construction monitoring with the best technology available in the market. Contact us and request a free Maply demo.
