A Case Study

Revolutionising pipeline construction with AI and drones

Dariusz Cieśla, VP of Product & Strategy, AI ClearingPierre-Yves Hanson, Site Engineer, DENYSMarcin Tracz, Project Manager, AI Clearing

The Desteldonk-Opwijk pipeline construction project in Belgium serves as a prime example of how drone and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies can revolutionise construction progress tracking. This large-scale undertaking highlights the potential for enhanced efficiency, transparency, and safety within the pipeline construction industry.

The project spanned 44 kilometres and took nine months to complete. It was divided into two main sections. To ensure effective monitoring, Denys invested in drones and operator training. The drones collected data, which the AI Clearing system processed using photogrammetry and AI analysis to provide near-real-time project insights. Weekly reports based on this data helped manage 20 tracked activities, from topsoil removal to pipe laying, with information available via an interactive online dashboard. This reporting method replaced labour-intensive surveying, reducing the time needed to gather and analyse progress data and allowing faster and more accurate responses to deviations from the planned design.

The AI Clearing Core system was also able to detect heavy construction equipment, such as HDD drilling machines, bending machines, and pipelayers, and forecast their movement along specific pipeline sections. This approach not only ensured compliance with safety regulations but also assisted in predicting upcoming activities and tasks in those particular areas. As safety is fundamental for pipeline projects,

Denys utilised the AI Clearing system to monitor selected aspects of health and safety compliance and quick detection of potential risks, such as proximity to existing pipelines or infrastructure, unauthorised access to restricted areas, and personnel not wearing safety gear. A distinctive aspect of the solution was its ability to provide both quantitative and visual evidence of the project’s progress. At the beginning of the project, each construction activity was assigned a weight, allowing the team to represent the pipeline’s progress as an accurate percentage of completion. Additionally, the system verified that the mileage calculated using the “Tilos” planning software matched the actual field sections, ensuring that the planned work aligned perfectly with the executed work.

Denys’ new approach has proven to be invaluable not only for monitoring but also for managing financial discussions with subcontractors and the investor. It provided clear visual evidence for progress claims, which helped resolve disputes related to additional work or delays. According to the project manager, AI and drone-powered construction progress tracking has become a long-term asset rather than just an expense, as it reduces contractual issues and clarifies the project’s status for all parties involved. As the industry moves towards increasingly data-driven construction management practices, the project showed how AI & drones can play a crucial role in improving large-scale construction projects’ accuracy, efficiency and accountability.

AI Clearing is a technology company founded in 2019 in Austin, Texas. The company aims to revolutionise the construction progress monitoring industry by seamlessly integrating artificial intelligence with photogrammetry and GIS/CAD technologies. By utilising data captured by drones, design blueprints, and project schedules, their innovative platform generates reliable reports that cover 100% of the construction site quickly.