By Samson Tam Building Technology • • • 0 Comments

Visual Information Technology in Surveying and Engineering Industries – Part 2

The coronavirus pandemic has affected most of the people around the world. After one year of affection, people started to change their work habits and business model in order to suit this unexpected situation. Work from home(WFH) become the most common arrangement for millions, increasing numbers of people had been saying goodbye to their office. Thanks to communication technologies like skype, Facetime, Slack, Zoom, Google Hangouts and etc; people can still connect and communicate with each other. However, for surveying and engineering industry, inspection or measurement are still necessary work on site. Today we are going to look through how technology may help our architects, engineers, surveyors and all stakeholders to inspect and work throughout the visual information.

Brief History of 360 Panorama

Virtual reality, aerial panorama and 360 panorama are great technologies to use for providing information to all stakeholders. In 1826, Joseph Nicéphore Nièpce invented photography; he took the first photo in the world for more realistic visual information.

 

Credit: https://www.bygonely.com/bg_item/photography-1793-by-joseph-nicephore-niepce/

After the photography was invented, the first panoramic photo camera has invented since 1843. Here is the vintage panoramic photo taken by George Barnard in 1864 which can show clearly and more information throughout the photo.

 

 

Credit: https://www.loc.gov/resource/pan.6a00039

Evolution of Action Camera

Thanks for the technology so far, action camera can take panoramic photo in one single shot. The first GoPro camera was launched commercially in 2004.

 

 

Credit: https://media.techeblog.com/images/first-gopro-camera.jpg

With GoPro evolution, action camera is a suitable camera in all extreme condition which is the best tool for inspection. However, for either filmmaking or inspection; more visual information which help the editors or inspectors easier to get the information. Therefore, people use the action camera for 360 films or 360 photos

 

Evolution of GoPro Action Camera

Credit: https://cheesycam.com/first-problems-with-gopro-hero4-4k-camera-dangerous-battery/gopro-evolution-original-hero-hero2-hero3-hero3-plus-hero4-4k/

GoPro Omni 360

Credit: https://vrscout.com/news/gopro-360-omni-camera-rig-on-sale/

 

From Action Camera to 360 Camera

As the spherical 360 panoramas taken from the GoPro device above still need to use the software to align and edit. It is such a time consuming work flow and not easy for normal people. Luckily, Ricoh has latched their first 360 camera which is the world’s first commercially available spherical camera. This camera become the best tool for inspection which is easy to use and edit in order to get the information.

 

 

Credit: https://theta360.com/en/

Ricoh Theta Sample Photo

 

GBE used both Mi sphere and Insta 360 One X as our inspection tools for visual inspection which the 360 camera helps all stakeholder easy to review the footage and capture the information throughout the image. Here is our first YouTube clip for using 360 camera in our inspection project which give a brief idea of how 360 camera can provide information.

MI Sphere Camera

Credit: https://qwertyarticles.com/2018/06/30/the-world-seen-from-360-degrees-a-mi-sphere-camera-review/

 

Insta 360 One X

Credit: https://www.insta360.com/hk/product/insta360-onex

Visual Information from 360 Camera

By using the software provided by 360 camera manufacturer, the stakeholder can easily capture and collect information from the footage which can easily work remotely and share information to collaborate with others in every project. Here are the sample of the GBE project for you guys to have some idea how the picture can be capture through the software.

 

Here are other sample photos captured from Insta 360 One X

 

In next chapter, we will go through the 3D virtual space by using the latest technology and 360 camera in our industry for visual information.

By samsontam@me.com Building Technology • • 0 Comments

Regular Drainage Piping Inspection for Building

 

Regular pipe inspection is one of the important preventive maintenance for all buildings. During the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), all residential buildings may experience high usage of water as most of the people have to stay at home for work and daily life. The drainage pipe system may easily get blocked and the aging problem during this period, CCTV inspection can help to monitor the condition of piping system which can find out the potential problems.

The inner coating of the epoxy drainage pipes has been designed to withstand most chemical stress and resist abrasion. Made of an epoxy-resin regularly assessed, this coating benefits from continuous improvement to meet wastewater drainage increasing constraints. Its smooth surface enhances flow capacity and prevents incrustations and deposits. However, the workmanship may affect the piping durability and also create the risk of clogging. Therefore, close monitoring for replacement workmanship is also an important issue to prevent risk.

 

By Cindy Kwok Building Technology • • • 0 Comments

High Ceiling Inspection

GBE found the relax of headroom from PNAP has posed many difficulties to conduct professional inspection to above high ceiling. We made ourselves accessible with our own rising platform and wifi endoscope. Usually the drainage which poses the hygienic alert is hide above. Our way can ease many people pain.

 

By Cindy Kwok Real Estate • • 0 Comments

Know More about Timber Formworks

Timber formworks is the most common for concreting. In general specification of government Edition 2017 GS 2017-02, section 6 emphasizes the formworks requirements. Seldom is discussed the requirement for basic component of formworks and how it affects the construction quality.

The stratum, the propping, falsework, crossing bracing, head tree, purlin/runner and plywood soffit are all critical components to affect the formworks stability, concrete quality, the finishes level and the subsequent follow up works.

 

Credit:

Drawing extracted from R.Chudley 2nd Ed Building Construction Handbook.

Photo : Construction Project under GBE inspection.

By Cindy Kwok Real Estate • • 0 Comments

Water Seepage Inspection

The water seepage has always been the most panic issue for owners and tenants. The chemical injection has been suggested if the repairing area is limited and no waterproofing membrane can be applied from an exterior wall or above the flooring. After the first chemical injection which the water seepage can happen to other weaken points. Close-up monitoring is necessary for a second or third time. The clients should consider a one-stop solution from inspection to rectification to solve the water seepage issue.