ECI Blog
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3D GRADING SURFACE MODELS: HOW THEY IMPROVE CONSTRUCTION ACCURACY
Are you wondering how a surface model will work with your heavy equipment? Although it can seem complex, it is simpler than you may think. Some machines already come equipped with the technology and others can be retrofitted with aftermarket technology systems. Either way, the most important thing to understand is that they run off GPS.
DRONE SURVEYING IN CONSTRUCTION: BENEFITS, COSTS, & ACCURACY
Drones have proven to be an excellent tool for collecting mass data. Despite the obvious upfront cost for purchasing the drone, it is an inexpensive way to collect the data compared to conventional means. This method has many advantages, including speed, reliability, accuracy, cost-effectiveness, and more.
9 FACTORS THAT AFFECT EARTHWORK TAKEOFF ACCURACY & COSTS
Without a thorough takeoff (cut and fill) process to accurately quantify the materials needed for your project, your estimates can be way off. Whether you're using a manual process or a digital process, errors in takeoffs result in inaccurate bids and additional expenses.
WHAT IS A TOTAL STATION? USES & BENEFITS IN CONSTRUCTION
Have you ever been on a job site where the engineer only used a transit or theodolite to check grades? It takes them so long to set up, find their benchmark, measure the point, and calculate an elevation that you might as well send the crew home because it takes so long. Fortunately for you, most engineers these days use total stations or GPS rovers to check grades.
CONTROL SURVEYS IN CONSTRUCTION: METHODS & IMPORTANCE
The evolution of surveying over the years is very impressive. What used to take months to do years ago has been reduced to days or hours in modern-day surveying. There are many different methods used by surveyors. This blog will cover some of those methods.
SPOT ELEVATIONS VS. CONTOUR LINES: WHEN TO USE EACH
Are you having trouble deciding when to use spot elevations versus contour lines to determine your breaklines? Well, don't worry because you're not alone. We are often confronted with that question and are here to help you figure it out.
DRONE STOCKPILE SURVEYORS: BENEFITS, ACCURACY, & COST SAVINGS
Drones can survey a site very quickly, efficiently, and safely. The drone is taking aerial photos through photogrammetry to stitch together the images on the ground while also using GPS and ground control to tie those images down. After the flight, the data is processed through a software program (i.e.: Propeller or Pix4D) which renders everything in 3D.
WHY OUTSOURCE 3D CONSTRUCTION MODELING WITH IN-HOUSE ENGINEERS?
We are often asked how we can provide value to a road, utility, or site contractor who already has an in-house GPS model builder. The answer is simple, we work collaboratively with them to add the modeling expertise of our VCEs, we take up the slack to get large projects ready for construction, and we bring more modeling tools to the table.
HOW TO MEASURE THE ROI OF CIVIL INFORMATION MODELING (CIM)
By bringing together virtual models, data analytics, systems, people, and improved workflows through CIM you will gain efficiencies in every phase. Stakeholders will be able to easily access and rely on accurate and timely information which will enable them to do their jobs better. Your projects will not run behind schedule as often and your overall costs will decrease.
3 EASY STEPS TO WORKING WITH A GPS MACHINE CONTROL DATA PROVIDER
So, you’ve invested in some GPS machine control technology. You’ve weighed the option of training or hiring an in-house person versus hiring an external service provider to handle the data prep. Based on your research, you’ve decided to partner with an external company that specializes in data prep and want to know what the next steps are.
HOW TO WORK WITH A GPS MACHINE CONTROL DATA PROVIDER: 3 STEPS
A question we are frequently asked by our clients and prospective clients is “What is the turnaround time for this project?”. Generally speaking, we typically run on average with a two-week turnaround time but situations sometimes impact that timeline which means it could take longer. Let’s go over some problems that impact the speed of model building.
HOW MUCH DOES A 3D ROAD MODEL COST? PRICING EXPLAINED
The increased use of GPS systems for construction projects has led to contractors often asking themselves or service providers like us, “What does a 3d road model cost?”. Typically, you’ll hear the standard reply of “it depends” which it does. However, we’re going to explain why it depends and what each type might generally cost.
WHY CHOOSE A CAREER IN CONSTRUCTION? BENEFITS & OPPORTUNITIES
There are tons of specialties that one can build off of within construction. Not everyone has to be a carpenter or a heavy equipment operator. However, if you do start in one of those jobs, your chances to further build out your skills are plentiful.
CIVIL ENGINEERING VS. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE: KEY DIFFERENCES
Continuing our support for Careers in Construction month by giving you information about two exciting professions: civil engineering, and landscape architecture. Some might think they’re very similar, however, they differ quite a bit.
WHAT IS A VIRTUAL CONSTRUCTION ENGINEER? 3 KEY BENEFITS
In tribute to October’s Careers in Construction month, we’re sharing what it’s like to pursue a career as a Virtual Construction Engineer (VCE). It’s not necessarily a widely known term, so we’re glad to share our knowledge as well as some insights from our very own VCEs.
GEOTEXTILES IN CONSTRUCTION: TYPES, USES, & BENEFITS
When was the last time you were on a job site where you didn't see large rolls of fabric lying around somewhere? You'd probably have to go way back in your memory bank to find one. These penetrable fabrics, called geotextiles, are an essential part of most construction projects today. When used in construction projects, they have numerous advantages.
GPS MOTOR GRADERS: HOW MACHINE CONTROL IMPROVES ROAD GRADING
Dozers are arguably the coolest piece of heavy equipment out there; however, we can make a strong case for the road grader. Long gone are the days of graders being pulled by horses and tractors! The power and versatility of a modern-day road grader are two of the top reasons we consider it to compete with the dozer for being badass.
ROCK BLASTING VS. HAMMERING: BEST METHODS FOR CONSTRUCTION EXCAVATION
We love watching stuff blow up – what a rush! Blasting in construction is an efficient way of getting a job site prepped. Using controlled explosives in the excavation has been a popular method for breaking rock for over a hundred years. The size of the rock you’re demolishing will dictate the velocity of the explosives. The harder the rock type, the higher the velocity.
3 CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES TO REDUCE COSTS
There is so much for a PM to consider when managing a construction project. Establishing and maintaining effective monitoring and control protocols improves project success. With so many moving parts and the potential for changes arising at any point, how can you best monitor and control your job site?
BREAKLINES: WHAT ARE THEY AND WHY ARE THEY IMPORTANT IN SURFACE MODELS
Breaklines are essential for creating a precise 3D surface model. Breaklines connect data representing specific features on a surface, such as the centerline of a road, a ridgeline, or a ditch's flowline. Whether to use spot elevations or contour lines to determine your breaklines is not always clear. Here, we help shed some light on the differences between contour lines and spot elevations and provide guidance on when to use which one.
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