Within the last decade, airborne lidar (Light Detection And Ranging) equipment has evolved to the point where it can provide accurate ground surface elevations on a dense grid (often 1m by 1m) along pipeline corridors, at a cost that is a fraction of the cost for a comparable ground based topographic survey. This paper explains how lidar is used to acquire topographic data and how the data are converted to digital terrain models referenced to geodetic benchmarks. The accuracy and density of topographic data acquired by lidar surveys can be used to greatly facilitate pipeline design and reduce pipeline construction costs. The major benefits include: 1) The density of ground surface elevations obtained using lidar are significantly better than can be obtained using photogrammetry or conventional ground based survey methods. 2) The survey data can be collected over large areas in a matter of days and with virtually no disturbance to landowners. 3) The digital terrain models derived from lidar survey data can be imported into existing drafting (CAD) software and used to efficiently generate centerline profiles, cross-sections and alignment sheets as required for pipeline design and construction. 4) Hillshade maps derived from lidar data have proven extremely useful in pipeline route studies because they allow surface features to be identified and often avoided, thereby minimizing pipeline construction and operating costs.
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2008 7th International Pipeline Conference
September 29–October 3, 2008
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Conference Sponsors:
- International Petroleum Technology Institute and the Pipeline Division
ISBN:
978-0-7918-4857-9
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
The Use of Lidar to Facilitate Design and Construction of Pipelines Available to Purchase
Bruce Smith,
Bruce Smith
Colt WorleyParsons, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Yan Wong,
Yan Wong
Colt WorleyParsons, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Steve Adam
Steve Adam
Colt WorleyParsons, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Bruce Smith
Colt WorleyParsons, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Yan Wong
Colt WorleyParsons, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Steve Adam
Colt WorleyParsons, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Paper No:
IPC2008-64057, pp. 31-38; 8 pages
Published Online:
June 29, 2009
Citation
Smith, B, Wong, Y, & Adam, S. "The Use of Lidar to Facilitate Design and Construction of Pipelines." Proceedings of the 2008 7th International Pipeline Conference. 2008 7th International Pipeline Conference, Volume 1. Calgary, Alberta, Canada. September 29–October 3, 2008. pp. 31-38. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/IPC2008-64057
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