Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates (WJE) produced a new video documenting how drone technology can be used for building facade inspections.
Currently, nine major U.S. cities have adopted facade ordinances that require inspection of thousands of buildings every few years.
“We believe that drone usage will enable building owners to assess problems quicker and with less risk to the general public and workers,” WJE Principal Michael Petermann said. “This will become an essential tool in engineers’ and architects’ tool box.”
WJE partnered with First Flight Photography (FFP), an FAA-Section 330 vendor to produce the video that highlights how drones could be used to assess building exteriors safely and expediently. The companies worked together on the two structures highlighted in the video and have proposed on several other upcoming projects.
Having multi-angled video or still images enables engineers to see potential distressed conditions that could otherwise be missed from ground analysis. Petermann said that he hopes local governments permit the use of drones for building assessment.
WJE anticipates an increase in demand to perform visual inspections utilizing high quality imagery from drones and is in the process of partnering with select vendors.
Related Stories
Architects | Oct 20, 2015
Four building material innovations from the Chicago Architecture Biennial
From lightweight wooden pallets to the largest lengths of CLT-slabs that can be shipped across North America
BIM and Information Technology | Oct 19, 2015
A robotic arm can 3D print, etch, solder, and carve from a desktop
It’s not just a 3D printer. The creators say Makerarm can also etch, solder, and put icing on cake.
BIM and Information Technology | Oct 19, 2015
New web tool from MIT organizes human movement in interactive graphs
Users can explore the mobile phone activities in London, New York, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong.
BIM and Information Technology | Oct 12, 2015
NIBS launches effort to develop BIM guideline for owners
Aim is to provide uniformity in the delivery of BIM projects.
BIM and Information Technology | Oct 11, 2015
VR for all: How AEC teams are benefiting from the commercialization of virtual reality tools
AEC teams are using gaming engines to not just showcase their projects, but to immerse their clients, end users, and Building Team members in highly detailed, fully lit environments that simulate the final structure.
BIM and Information Technology | Oct 9, 2015
Facebook’s data center complex has become economic engine for one North Carolina town
Cities are now vying for these facilities with sizable tax incentives.
BIM and Information Technology | Oct 7, 2015
Skanska and University of Washington offer new BIM program
The 11-week course is available for students and professionals and teaches BIM software skills, virtual design, and construction processes.
Sponsored | BIM and Information Technology | Oct 7, 2015
Microsoft’s Surface Pro 3 – designed with the AEC industry in mind
Sasha Reed sits down with Microsoft’s Senior Director of Programs, Pete Kyriacou to discuss the unique challenges AEC professionals face and why the Surface Pro 3 was designed to help them be more productive.
Sponsored | BIM and Information Technology | Oct 1, 2015
How can owners make better decisions with the help of analytics?
Sasha Reed sits down with David Fano, Chief Technology Officer for WeWork (formerly with CASE), at BIMForum to discuss how owners make better decisions with the help of analytics.
Modular Building | Sep 23, 2015
SOM and DOE unveil 3D-printed, off-the-grid building
The Additive Manufacturing Integrated Energy (AMIE) building features a high-performance shell with a photovoltaic roof and built-in natural gas generator.