Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) as a tool for visual inspection of building facades in AEC+FM industry

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on the results of an exploratory study on the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) as a visual data collection tool in the architecture, engineering, construction and facility management industry for the inspection of pathological manifestations in building facades.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology used a field research experimental approach, where three case studies were carried out involving buildings of medium and high elevation. The protocol of activities included image collection and processing stages, as well as detailed analysis of the collected visual data for the identification of pathological manifestations in building facades.

Findings

The findings emphasize the technical feasibility and efficacy of inspections with UAV, showing that among the visual assets produced, digital photographs collected with the aircraft were more effective for the detection of pathologies when compared to the three-dimensional models and orthomosaics generated by digital photogrammetry software.

Originality/value

The research has formulated the protocol for the inspection of facades using UAV and the comparative analysis of visual assets that can be generated for inspection purposes.

Citation

Ruiz, R.D.B., Lordsleem Jr., A.C., Rocha, J.H.A. and Irizarry, J. (2022), "Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) as a tool for visual inspection of building facades in AEC+FM industry", Construction Innovation, Vol. 22 No. 4, pp. 1155-1170. https://doi.org/10.1108/CI-07-2021-0129