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GEOPHYSICS
Geophysics are at the forefront of ATEC-3D services, our board of directors boast over 50 years of work within the Mining Industry and founded ATEC-3D for use primarily within that field. Our unrivalled knowledge and industry specialists make ATEC-3D the number one UAS Geophysical Survey company in the United Kingdom.
BATHYMETRY
Expert Service
Bathymetric studies started out by lowering a piece of rope over the edge of the ship and waiting until it hit the bottom, giving a semi-accurate idea of depth. Thankfully more modern technology can be used in the form of echo sounders, much like a bat uses echo-location to get a projection of the inside of a cave, the multibeam echo-sounders use hundreds of narrow beams to obtain a highly accurate map of the seabed below the surface. A full Bathymetric survey of an underwater landscape would allow us to produce a full digital terrain model (DTM) and provide a highly accurate topographical map of what is hidden from sight.Â
Using our ECT400 Echo sounder we can conduct surveys of submerged terrain up to 100 meters deep, providing an accuracy of 0.2% and a resolution of >1mm. Using a radar altimeter we can maintain a constant steady altitude with +/-5cm drift accuracy and a +/- 2cm height accuracy.
GROUND PENETRATING RADAR
Expert Service
Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) uses radar pulses to image the subsurface. It is a non-intrusive method of surveying the sub-surface to investigate underground utilities such as concrete, metals, pipes, stonework or cables. This method uses electromagnetic radiation and detects the reflected signals from subsurface structures. GPR can have a variety of applications across several fields, including rock, soil, ice, fresh water, pavements and structures. In the right conditions, ATEC-3D can use GPR to detect subsurface objects, changes in material properties, voids and cracks.
The Benefits to using UAS controlled GPR are numerous and have tremendous upside. Automation eliminates human error and survey times are quicker and cheaper than if performed using alternative techniques. Difficult to survey terrains are no longer an issue and using automation we can provide data accuracy that is incomparable with that of human conducted surveys. Using our GPR Systems we can locate objects as small as 8cm in diameter and pipes and cables as small as 3cm.
MAGNETOMETRICS
Expert Service
Aerial Magnetometry surveys can date their birth back to world war two, when they were primarily used in the detection of submarines by studying the variation of magnetic anomalies beneath the waves. This method is still in use today by world militaries.
However more industrial uses have been discovered in recent times, most commonly the use in mining exploration. Using the same technique as the military use, aerially flown Magnometrics can survey vast areas to determine viable mining sites, minerals in the ground such as Iron Ore or Magnetite are detectable and measurable using magnetometers suspended below aircraft, these provide accurate geophysical data that is essential in the placement of drill holes and infrastructure development. However, the elucidation of the earths crust is often what is most important in these surveys.
Recently UAS flown Magnetometry surveys have been used to detect unexploded ordinance. The benefits of this method of survey are first and foremost, no loss of human life. It is also a cheaper and faster alternative that tentatively searching with a metal detector.
METAL DETECTION
Expert Service
Using ATEC-3D metal detecting systems we can perform a multitude of aerial works. Drones mounted with metal detectors are primarily used in the areas concerned with Archaeology, submerged infrastructure and unexploded ordinance.
Traditional handheld metal detecting is a painful and arduous process, using ATEC-3Ds surveys we can cover far more land, far more quickly our EM6-lite sensor uses a Radar Altimeter to keep itself at a constant altitude above ground level, allowing for detection of 110mm steel pipes at 1.5m deep and 300mm steel piping at 2m deep.
RTK/PPK GNSS option allows for accurate geotagging of data, giving a precise location of any metals detected. Real time detection is also an option with the software ATEC-3D uses for this survey.
METHANE DETECTION
Expert Service
Methane detection systems can be used in many key industries, Oil, Gas, Power Generation, Chemical and Petrochemical. Methane leaks can occur anywhere from industrial facilities and gas processing plants, to landfill sites and gas storage facilities. Using UAS we can cover 100 square meters in 5 minutes, detecting in high-risk areas from distances of 25 meters from the surface in wind speed up to 20 knots.Â
Our Laser guided altimeter allows for a constant surveying height to be established, for accurate and consistent data collection. ATEC-3Ds system is only reactive to Methane detection and will not give any false positive readings.