LiDAR Will Change our World

The world changed in the past 60 years. Many improvements in technology have shown how amazing our minds are. We have found different ways to create solutions to our world, making it easier and more efficient. One of the most useful improvements in technology trending right now, is the "LIDAR" Light Detection and Ranging . Lidar originated in the 1960s, shortly after the invention of the laser, but it was not until after 1971, during the Apollo 15 mission, that we realized how accurate and useful Lidar systems are. Astronauts used this laser altimeter to map the surface of the moon.

Rotating LIDAR sensor

What is Lidar? It is a remote sensing technology that measures distance by illuminating a target with a laser and analyzing the reflected light. The acronym Lidar comes from Light Detection and Ranging, so it can be written as LiDAR, but it is acceptable to use Lidar, LIDAR, or LIDaR.

LiDAR uses the laser to illuminate a target and then analyze the reflection, the narrow laser makes possible to map objects with a high degree of resolution. But why if LiDAR has been around since the 70s, was it not used during the past years. The answer is it was not easy to construct in small sizes, the cost was really high and the complexity of the technology limited the applications (mostly government). However, due to the big advances in laser detection, computational speed, and memory storage, we now can use this technology for commercial applications.

LIDAR Data

Smaller, faster, smarter LiDAR makes possible direct measurements of complex and hard structures. LiDAR can be so accurate that it can develop 3D point clouds of a wide range of objects, such as - rocks, non-metallic objects, rain, chemical compounds, aerosols, clouds, and even single molecules. This means that this technology can detect almost any single and small point which is awesome if you think about the possible uses of it.

So where can we apply this technology? The answer is broad. Applications include: 

• Agriculture, Archaeology, 
• Autonomous vehicles, Biology and conservation,
• Geology and soil science
• Atmospheric remote sensing and meteorology
•  Law enforcement, Military
•  Mining
• Physics and Astronomy
• Robotics
• Spaceflight
• Surveying
• Transport
• Wind farm optimization

LIDAR terrestrial

Some of the most useful applications are Terrestrial scanning and Aerial scanning. Terrestrial scanning creates 3D models of complex objects like piping networks, roadways, archaeological sites, buildings, bridges, etc. One of the advantages of Terrestrial LiDAR is that objects can be measured remotely making operations such as measuring roadways under traffic much safer.

LIDAR Aerial

If we take LiDAR to a larger level we have "Aerial scanning" which has many uses like measuring agricultural productivity, distinguishing archaeological remains, measuring tree canopy heights, determining forest biomass values, advancing the science of geomorphology, measuring volcano uplift and glacier decline, measuring snow pack, and the most important to surveyors and civil engineers, providing data for topographic maps.

Topographic maps were usually created by Photogrammetry, the science of making measurements from photographs. The output is typically a map, drawing, measurement, or a 3D model of some real-word objects or scene. Many of the maps we use today are created with photogrammetry and photographs taken from aircraft. So why choose LiDAR to create topographic maps instead of Photogrammetry?

Mobile LiDAR survey

LiDAR sensors can be operated in any weather (Photogrammetry uses cameras which cannot be used all the time like when it's cloudy). The sensors are not affected by low sun angles which prevents useful photos. Furthermore, LiDAR can actually operate at night-more hours of useful flying per day means greater efficiency faster results, and more ground covered than photogrammetry. Rural and remote areas are easier and quicker to survey with LiDAR because each point has geo-reference location and elevation directly from the results. In other words, we do not need to do more processes to have accurate information. In addition, LiDAR creates 3D model directly from the returns, Photogrammetry instead requires the incremental comparison of a pair of stereoscopic photographs which is is indirectly and much more labor intensive.  Photogrammetry requires contrast to see ground surfaces, and LiDAR results come directly from the returned signal.

LiDAR is a  perfect tool for any Engineer. It can be used to have a 3D model for objects, areas, or any structure. The models can be uploaded to different computer software and used to create and develop new designs. Engineers can work in a specific area of construction and create designs quicker and smarter.

LiDAR in Machine

What is even amazing with this technology is that now days LiDAR can be used for Autonomous vehicle. After the engineer has finished his work and has all the geographic information loaded in his computer, he can use this information and upload it to a machine so it can work by itself. LiDAR is used to help the machine to detect obstacles and navigate safety through the environment. Using Global Position System (GPS) and the design information from LiDAR, the machine can move around the construction, excavating, hauling and moving material to the specifications given by the computer.  It is a great advantage, it will help to construct more precisely and faster, if we finish the jobs faster, we will reduce the cost and increase production overall. 

LiDAR uses a lot of memory data information, and that is one of the reasons many users of LiDAR have to use Terabytes (TB) = 1000 Gigabytes (GB), finding ways to create more memory for computers will help us to create more applications for this technology.  LiDAR will become more and more popular in the future, and I am sure we will find more applications of this technology in many other fields.

References:

• [Rotating LIDAR Sensor], retrieved on October 22th, 2015 from http://www.roprodesign.com/projects/mechanicalprojects/lidar/
• [LIDAR data], retrieved on October 22th, 2015 from https://www.leidos.com/sites/default/files/imported/geospatial/images/lidar1.jpg
• [LIDAR terrestrial], retrieved on October 22th, 2015 from http://www.cartodata.com/technologies/lidarterrestre/
• [LIDAR aerial], retrieved on October 22th, 2015 from                                            https://www.e-education.psu.edu/geog481/l1_p3.html
• [LIDAR aerial], retrieved on October 22th, 2015 from                                            https://www.e-education.psu.edu/geog481/l1_p3.html
• [Mobile LiDAR survey], retrieved on October 22th, 2015 from http://www.mobilelidar.com/2013_09_01_archive.html
• [LIDAR in Machine], retrieved on October 22th, 2015 from http://www.equipmentworld.com/volvo-ce-unveils-siteaware-lidar-camera-combo-gives-equipment-operators-360-degree-vision-photos-video/

Who builds our world? Civil Engineers Do!

Civil Engineering is the field of Engineering that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works like roads, bridges, canals, dams, and buildings.

Many people always think that civil engineers are the ones who construct everything, and they usually think: "how hard can be to do construction?" Think about what civil engineers have to do. First, find a nice place to build, clean and remove all the organisms and life in that place (trees, plants, animals, etc), and finally build a house, road, building or any other type of structure. Looks simple right? However that is the biggest misconception that civil engineers have to deal with. 

Group of Designers and Engineers working together

Civil engineers are not construction contractors or architects. When people hear that you work at a civil engineering firm, they automatically describe an architectural firm and think that civil engineers design buildings inside and out, but the answer is "NO." An architect designs a building(outside and interiors), a civil engineer designs the site(structure), and the contractor builds it from the designs and specifications. However, civil engineers can help with the other design processes as consultants or inspectors. 

Civil engineers have to do a lot of research and analysis before they can start the design process. During this research,  there are different fields in which a civil engineer could be involved with. These fields can be divided up to multiple sub-disciplines, but these five embrace the most important: Structural engineering, Water Resources Engineering,  Environmental Engineering, Transportation Engineering, and Geo-technical Engineering. 

Now, imagine that you are a Civil engineer and you have to construct a new building in a open area with trees, a river close to it, and different types of animals.

Example of Space for new construction

First, you need a design of how you want the building to look like, but remember you are not usually involved in designing the building. This work is saved for the Architects, and you could give opinions and help with the outside design of the building. Once you have a new design, it may look nice in paper but you have not even started to work. After the area of construction is decided, it is the turn for the Geo-technical and Environmental Engineers to do their job. 

Environmental Engineer working

Environmental Engineers will analyze the area of construction, and start to answer questions like:

• Is this building going to affect the environment? 
• How the new building will impact the local animals and plants?
• How the building will affect the water supply and the quality of the air that we breathe?.               

Environmental engineers will look for the answer to these questions and develop ways to limit the harmful effects on the natural surroundings. 

While The Environmental engineers do their work, Geo-technical engineers will be working aside. So how do we start a construction? well, first there is usually a big hole in the area of construction. You probably do not think about it but in order to make a building sturdy and safe, civil engineers have to work from the ground up. Geo-technical engineers will be gathering the facts by studying the rocks, soil and underground water, to make sure this building is located in the correct place and their foundations are designed properly.

Foundation for new construction

Meanwhile the Environmental and Geo-technical engineers finished their work, the Structural, Transportation and Water Resources engineers will start working on their part.

If you have a building you will need to create entrance, exit routes, and parking lots. This is the work of Transportation engineers. They use the information given by the Geo-technical engineers to calculate the necessary quantity of material that is necessary to construct the pavement. Transportation engineers have to figure out how people and vehicles will move smoothly and safely around the building.

Design of new frame for a building

In the other side, somebody will also need to start thinking about the structure of the building. This work is for the Structural Engineers. You probably do not stop to worry about if the building you are in right now can withstand a force of nature like a hurricane or an earthquake, but if you were a structural engineering you will have to design and plan the structures of houses, buildings, schools, and skyscrapers to resist these powerful forces. As a structural engineering you will need to do all the calculations for the building, complex mathematical models and Software are used to study the reliability of the structure, so it can withstand any type of force and support the design. 

Design of water pumps for a building 

Last but not least, you will need to provide the building with important utilities. At home you turn on the tap and out comes water, it's clean and healthy. You drink without stopping to think about it, but if you were a Water Resource engineer, you will have to think about water everyday. As a Water Resource engineers questions like:

• Is it safe for people to drink? 
• Is it getting where it is supposed to be? 
• Is there enough?

This is probably one of the most important jobs on the planet, it helps people to stay alive and healthy providing one of the more important fluids for subsistence . Water Resource engineers will design the appropriate distribution of the water in the building.

After all the calculations, designs, and plans are done, construction takes place. This job is for the contractors and construction firms.

 As you can see if you are given a project to construct a new building, you could not work it all by yourself. You need a whole team to create the building. Civil engineers usually have to pick what sub-discipline they want to focus on, so they can work in that specific area for the project. The idea of sub-disciplines in civil engineering is to form an engineer focus in one specific area so he or she can have a better understanding, experience, and knowledge on that area. 

Engineers reading the plans

Civil engineers play an important roll in our daily life. So when you are driving a highway or road; when you open the tap for water or to take a shower; when you are walking or driving through a bridge; when you walk through a building; or when you go home. Remember, all around you was design by Civil engineers who care about your security and safety through the world in your daily life.






References:

• "Group of Designers and Engineers working together", retrieve on October 13th, 2015 http://www.onlineengineeringdegree.org/
• "Example of landscape for Land construction", retrieve on October 13th, 2015        http://www.i-84waterbury.com/pages/37-photos-july-sept-2015
• "Environmental Engineering working", retrieve on October 13th, 2015  http://www.thecivilengg.com/Branches.php#
• "Foundation for New construction", retrieve on October 13th, 2015  http://ilzconsulting.com/capabilities/
• "Design of new frame for a building", retrieve on October 13th, 2015 http://constro2014.blogspot.com/2013_10_01_archive.html
• "Design of water pumps for a building" retrieve on October 13th, 2015  http://cbs.grundfos.com/BGE_Spain/lexica/BOO_Water_supply_systems_in_zones.html?action=Print
• "Engineers reading the plans", retrieve on October 13th, 2015  http://www.riversideca.gov/publicworks/engineering/land_development.asp
• "Civil Engineering Jobs" asceville.org. Web October 13th, 2015      http://www.asceville.org/find-fields.html