How NOT to Make Mistakes on Site?

I recently visited Keller and GEO-Instruments on one of their ground improvement projects, once again we were lucky with greatweather on site. During the visit I met the team responsible for the setting out and positioning works for the piling operations, but the most interesting part of the day was the discussion with Laszlo about how much work actually happens long before construction even begins.

As Laszlo explained, modern piling and ground improvement projects depend heavily on preparation. Before the machines arrive on site, the teams are already making sure they have the latest drawings, verified coordinates, updated design information, and correctly prepared data. All the information also needs to be prepared properly for the instruments being used on site, whether that is Leica iCON total stations, GNSS solutions, or machine control systems.

Once the piling / ground improvement works begin, there is very little room for uncertainty. There is no time to stop and question whether the data is correct or whether points have been set out properly. That is where mistakes can become expensive, time-consuming, and difficult to correct later in the project. What looked like a very smooth workflow on site was actually the result of a huge amount of preparation completed beforehand.

It was very interesting to see how the full workflow operates, starting from receiving the initial client drawings and survey information, through preparing and verifying the setting out data, then continuing into the physical setting out and piling installation works on site. After installation, the team also carries out the as-built surveys, recording the final pile positions and collecting all the necessary information before comparing it back to the design and issuing the completed data to the client.

Choosing the Right Technology for the Job

Depending on the project requirements and the level of accuracy needed, different technologies were being used across the sites. In areas where high precision was critical, the teams were using Leica iCON total stations for accurate positioning and setting out. On other jobs, GNSS solutions provided more than enough accuracy for the works being carried out. Modern GNSS technology has improved massively in recent years and can now achieve positioning accuracies within around 20 mm in many applications, making it extremely effective for certain construction and ground engineering workflows.

Another very interesting part of the conversation with Laszlo was machine control technology being tested on the piling rigs. Using GNSS positioning and digital design data, the machines were able to guide the drilling positions directly from the digital model. This reduces the need for traditional physical marks on the ground and also reduces the amount of time engineers need to spend working around piling rigs and other active machinery.

It was great to see how digital construction workflows, machine control, GNSS positioning, and Leica iCON total stations are all starting to work together more seamlessly on modern construction projects. The technology is not only helping improve efficiency and productivity, but also helping make sites safer and allowing engineers to focus more on preparing accurate data and managing quality throughout the project.

A big thank you to Laszlo, GEO-Instruments and Keller for the visit and for taking the time to explain the workflow, preparation, and technology involved in delivering modern ground improvement projects. It is always great to see the latest construction technology being tested and used on real projects, especially when it is helping make the industry more accurate, efficient, and data-driven.

PS how not to make mistakes on site – good data preparation is the key! Let me know what you would add to this?