Kucera has been performing material and earthwork surveys as a specialized area of business since 1960. Our clients include utilities, industrial manufacturers, chemical companies, mining companies, and municipal public works departments.
The initial data for our volume survey work is gathered both in the air and on the ground. Aerial data acquisition is accomplished through photogrammetric and/or LiDAR technology. Ground-based methods include GPS, laser rangefinding, and total station surveys. Our primary data source is aerial photography, which documents conditions at an exact time, can be rapidly cost-effectively required without direct access to the site, and can be readily checked without having to repeat a survey.
In the volume determination process, a three-dimensional digital terrain model (DTM) of the site surface is produced using aerial photogrammetric methods to direct collection technologies, such as ground-based GPS or airborne LiDAR.
Our advanced technologies and procedures allow us to provide consistently accurate volume determination. Our results are typically within 3 percent of the “true” area volume as obtained from client inventory records.
The final survey results are presented in a comprehensive report that includes a description of technologies and procedures used, survey data and time records, final volume breakdowns by area and/or designated interval, and relevant source data documentation, including prints of the aerial photography and perspective views of the surface terrain model.
