Engineering Management Institute

Nick Heim

Applications of Drones in AEC

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This is a guest blog by Nick Heim, P.E.

drones in AECAs engineering professionals, we continually seek innovative ways to improve our industry, enhance efficiency, and ensure the safety of the public.

In recent years, the utilization of drones (unmanned aerial vehicles) has emerged as a very useful technology with significant implications in AEC.

Today, I would like to summarize some of our top episodes from the AECTECH podcast, all of which relate to the use of drones in AEC.

drones in AEC

If you find these summaries interesting, check out the full-length episodes!

AECTECH 016: Unlocking the Power of Drones for AEC Data Collection

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Applications of Technology to Enhance Public Safety

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This is a guest blog by Nick Heim, P.E.

public safetyAs engineering professionals, we have a responsibility to protect the safety, health, and welfare of the public.

Part of this duty entails inspection and maintenance of existing infrastructure.

Some jurisdictions require inspection and maintenance at periodic intervals to ensure that the public is kept safe while in and around these assets.

For example, New York City Local Laws 11 (Façade Inspection) and 126 (Parking Garage Inspection) specify time frames over which assets must be inspected and repairs implemented.

Today, I would like to summarize some of our top episodes from the AECTECH podcast, all of which relate to the use of technology to maintain existing assets and infrastructure.

If you find these brief summaries interesting, check out the full-length episodes!

1. AECT 009: Using AI and Digital Twins for Industry Asset Management

In this episode, I talk to Dr. Ali Khaloo, Ph.D., the CEO and co-founder of Aren, about what digital twins are and how you can bring digital twins and artificial intelligence to infrastructure asset management.

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Using AI and Digital Twins for Industry Asset Management:

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Applications of Artificial Intelligence in the Built World

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This is a guest blog by Nick Heim, P.E.

built world

Image by Freepik

Civil engineers are designers and builders of many things in the built world, including buildings, roads, bridges, dams, ports, and many others.

No matter the asset, whether new or existing, there is a lot of work to be done — and with what seems like never enough resources.

Fortunately, applications of artificial intelligence (AI) are becoming more common and can help engineers more efficiently complete their tasks — while allowing them to focus on what is most interesting and important.

Today, I would like to summarize some of our top episodes from the AECTECH podcast, all of which relate to use of artificial intelligence in the built world.

If you find these brief summaries interesting, check out the full-length episodes!

1. AECT 009: Using AI and Digital Twins for Industry Asset Management

In this episode, I talk to Dr. Ali Khaloo, Ph.D., the CEO and co-founder of Aren, about what digital twins are and how you can bring digital twins and artificial intelligence to infrastructure asset management.

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Using Artificial Intelligence and Digital Twins for Industry Asset Management:

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Reality Capture: The Future of AEC Technology

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This is a guest blog by Nick Heim, P.E.

reality capture

Image by Freepik

Civil engineers are designers and builders of many things in the built environment, including roads, bridges, dams, ports, and many others.

No matter the asset, our plans need to be brought to life — which includes capture of data and reporting.

The way that data in the built environment can be collected is rapidly changing.

Today, I would like to summarize some of our top episodes from the AECTECH podcast, all of which relate to the use of reality capture, the principles of which can be applied to civil engineering projects.

If you find these brief summaries interesting, check out the full-length episodes!

1. AECTECH 004: How AEC Professionals Can Start a Reality Capture Program in Their Company

In this episode, I talked to Scott Harrigan, the president of Harkin Aerial, about how AEC professionals can start and grow a reality capture program in their company.

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode:

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The Intersection of the Built-World and Digital Technologies

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This is a guest blog by Nick Heim, P.E.

digital inspection and non-destructive testing

Image by creativeart on Freepik

 

Civil engineers are designers and builders of many things in the built environment, including roads, bridges, dams, and ports.

No matter the asset, maintenance is required. However, the way that maintenance plans are put together and communicated to owners is changing.

Today, I would like to summarize some of our top episodes from the AECTECH podcast, all of which relate to the use of digital tools for maintaining the built world.

If you find these brief summaries interesting, check out the full-length episodes!

1. AECTECH 007: How Digital Transformation Can Help to Protect Our Built World

In this episode, I talk to Marcel Poser, the CEO and co-founder of Screening Eagle Technologies, about the importance of protecting our built world and the role that data and digital transformation play in that process.

Here are some key points discussed in this episode about how digital transformation can help to protect our built world:
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The 90-9-1 Rule for Civil Engineering Content Creators

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This is a guest blog by Nick Heim, P.E.

civil engineering content

Image from pressfoto on Freepik

Civil engineers are designers and builders of everything related to infrastructure: roads, bridges, dams, ports, and many others. While our work happens in the physical world, we can greatly benefit from a presence in the digital world, particularly on social media.

civil engineering content

Today, I would like to talk about the opportunity that exists for civil engineering content creators, and how you can take advantage of it.

 

1. What is the 90-9-1 rule?

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Use of UAVs (Drones) in Civil Engineering Projects

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This is a guest blog by Nick Heim, P.E.

UAVs

Image by Freepik

 

Civil engineers are designers and builders of everything related to infrastructure: roads, bridges, dams, ports, and many others.

While construction and maintenance of any asset happens in the physical world, there is a lot of work in the digital world that accompanies it.

Today, I would like to talk about one of the tools that is changing the way data is captured in the field: unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, also known as drones).

1. What Is a UAV?

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, is an aircraft without any human pilot, crew, or passengers on board. (Wikipedia).

The primary benefit of a UAV is in its name. The lack of need for an on-board pilot means that the aircraft can be relatively small, light, accessible, and inexpensive to operate. This allows for quick adoption on civil engineering projects.

This does not preclude the need for an experienced operator, however. Like any other pilot in the United States, UAV pilots are licensed through the Federal Aviation Administration.

UAVs

The DJI Mavic 2 Pro, an example of a consumer-grade drone

2. Use Cases for UAVs

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Use of 360-Cameras in Civil Engineering Projects

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This is a guest blog by Nick Heim, P.E.

360-Cameras

Image by victor217 on Freepik

 

Civil engineers are designers and builders of everything related to infrastructure: roads, bridges, dams, ports, and many others.

While construction and maintenance of any asset happens in the physical world, there is a lot of work in the digital world that accompanies it.

Today, I would like to talk about one of the tools that is changing the way data is captured in the field: 360 cameras.

Note: For more information and insights related to this blog post, please refer to Episode #05 of the AEC Engineering and Technology (AECTECH) Podcast.

1. What Is a 360-Camera?

An omnidirectional camera (from “omni,” meaning all), also known as 360-degree camera, is a camera having a field of view that covers approximately the entire sphere—or at least a full circle—in the horizontal plane (source: Wikipedia).

The primary benefit of a 360-camera is that, unlike a conventional camera with a field of view less than 360 degrees, the entirety of a scene or area can be captured with one instead of multiple photos.

This can have a multitude of benefits and use cases, which we will talk about next.

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Leveraging Social Media to Boost Your Personal Engineering Brand

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This is a guest blog by Nick Heim, P.E.

Social Media

Image by Freepik

 

Civil engineers bring a diverse set of viewpoints, skills, and knowledge to the table.

Because of the impact our work has on society, there are many benefits to sharing our expertise outside of our day-to-day work – for our professional colleagues, our clients, and the general public.

Today, I would like to give some tips on how you can build your personal brand as a civil engineer using social media.

1. Establish a Niche

Social media is a tool that, to this point, has not been utilized very heavily by engineering professionals. I have heard and seen several reasons for this.

One way I have gotten past my personal reservations about the use of social media is by talking about topics that I feel that I can speak confidently about, or have something to share that others would find valuable.

social media

Some niches that I have seen executed successfully by Civil Engineering professionals:

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The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Civil Engineering Asset Management

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This is a guest blog by Nick Heim, P.E.

artificial intelligence

Image by ArtPhoto_studio on Freepik

Civil engineers are designers and builders of everything related to infrastructure: roads, bridges, dams, ports, and many others.

While construction and maintenance of any asset happens in the physical world, there is a lot of work in the digital world that accompanies it.

One emerging trend we are seeing in the industry is applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in the maintenance of assets that civil engineers support.

artificial intelligence

Note: For more information and insights related to this blog post, please refer to Episode #009 of the AEC Engineering and Technology (AECTECH) Podcast.

1. What is artificial intelligence (AI)?

Dictionary definitions as follows:

  • Artificial: “Made or produced by human beings rather than occurring naturally, especially as a copy of something natural.”
  • Intelligence: “The ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills.”
  • Artificial Intelligence: “The theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and translation between languages.” (Bolded emphasis is mine.)

Simply stated, artificial intelligence is the application of human intelligence, but through an artificial “brain” (computer).

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