More Accurate and Efficient Dredge Operations with Visualization/spatial Awareness
Type:
Presented during:
WODCON XXIII - Dredging is changing - The Practice. The Science. The Business.
Authors:
J. White
Abstract
"Ports and waterways face a number of challenges: greater operational complexity due to bigger ships; a demand for quicker ship turnaround and improved port utilization; faster construction project completion; and the rising risk of climate related influences. In turn, these challenges place increased pressure on marine contractors already facing market conditions that include tougher bid competitions, skilled labor shortages and ever stricter environmental legislation. These firms, both large and small, are increasingly relying on technology to drive productivity. Enhanced visualization and spatial awareness solutions in dredging, piling and placement are becoming standard practice. More recently, marine construction technology providers have combined familiar and proven solutions, namely GNSS, motion sensors and sonar, to deliver integrated visualization solutions that help dredge contractors achieve higher precision dredging with in-the-field, near real-time verification. With greater visibility below the waterline, operators are able to immediately see if work completed matches the design, thus minimizing chances of rework, improving jobsite safety and facilitating day/night shifts when needed. Further, communication is greatly improved between the jobsite and office and the resulting as-built digital model provides verification of work completed for billing and insurance."
Keywords: Marine construction, dredge visualization, subsurface infrastructure construction, civil construction, operator safety, construction productivity