LiDAR Sewer Pipe Inspection

LiDAR Sewer Pipe Inspection Assists in Planning And Programming

Municipalities and civil engineers require detailed data for effective planning and programming of sewer maintenance and repair. According to the EPA, proactive management of sewer assets can reduce total asset costs by 20% to 30%. Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) laser profiling for sewer pipes provides the type of data required for proactive management and capital improvement planning.

Pro-Pipe has made partnerships with inspection equipment providers to provide LiDAR pipe inspection services. This sewer pipe LiDAR profiling technology is used to quickly and accurately analyze the shape and condition of wastewater infrastructure ranging from 6” to 60” in diameter.

What Are the Benefits of LiDAR Profiling?

• Allows for proactive repair and replacement recommendations
• Shows compliance with local, state and federal agencies, and establishes a baseline to apply for state and federal grants
• Uses a detailed assessment that identifies critical problems and provides predictive failure analysis
• Creates a record for decision makers to assure proper expenditures
• Produces amazingly detailed images using a 3.1-megapixel, high-resolution camera
• Ensures reliability via use of a durable camera that contains no moving parts; the unit is driven on a CUES wheeled or tracked tool
• Captures still images and live video

LiDAR Sewer Pipe Profiling Accurately Assesses Pipeline Condition

We own and operate technology that we plug into various inspection modules to provide laser profiling for sewer systems. The system can be deployed from portable or vehicle-mounted systems. After inspection, Pro-Pipe sends the modules and data back to our providers for processing. We use two primary modules:

2D LiDAR (SolidFX) provides cross-sections while traveling through the pipeline. In addition to wall loss determination, the LiDAR provides the pipeline’s ovality and capacity analysis.

• Pipe diameter limitation: 36” and greater.
• Maximum run length: 2000 LF standard, 5400 LF extended.

3D Spinning LiDAR (FX3D) scans and models the pipeline in stationary intervals from a robotic tractor. Stopping every 5 feet to perform a 360-degree scan, this system models the pipeline in an accurate, 3D environment. In addition to bend-geometry modeling (AutoCAD®), the data can be used for virtual mandrels, alignment geo-positioning, diameter/ovality and wall loss due to corrosion.

• The 3D LiDAR inspection trailer requires clean pipe and low-flow conditions.
• Pipe diameter limitation: 24” and greater.
• Maximum run length: 2000 LF.

Both modules are equipped with a high-definition, closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera and are capable of integrating sonar through a multi-sensor system. This high-resolution, digital side-scanning camera quickly produces a detailed pipeline condition assessment. The DUC camera is used with CUES software to provide clients with up to double the daily footage — at a greatly reduced inspection cost.