The PANORAMO SI 3D optoscanner manhole inspection system from RapidView IBAK North America uses two high-resolution digital cameras with distortion-free wide-angle lenses to scan the manhole interior in a single vertical run. Like its companion horizontal pipeline scanning system, it transmits digital image data to the inspection van, where it can be viewed live or saved for later viewing and assessment at the office.
Unlike video from a pan-and-rotate camera that shows the section of the view saved at the time of filming, the system provides a 360-degree view of the manhole that can be panned and zoomed for analysis anytime, capturing 100 percent of the structure, visually and geometrically, says Matthew Sutton, vice president of sales and marketing.
“I can look at any portion of that underground structure from any angle as though I was standing in it, no matter how deep it is, no matter how big it is,” he says. “Also, during our scan, we’re taking geometric measurements of the inside. So back at the office, we can measure any area of the structure. We can measure the depth of the invert. We can measure the diameters of the pipes that are coming into the manhole. And we can do that in three-dimensional space and export it to a CAD program for an engineer, if required.”
Designed for manholes 16 inches to 10 feet in diameter, the system can inspect structures up to 300 feet deep. During inspection, the system takes a series of digital still images that are stitched together to form a 360-degree view. Additional images include an unfolded view for measuring observations on the wall of the structure and a geometric view that allows precise internal measurement of the structure’s geometry.
Sutton compares the process to Google Street View, which enables users to zoom in on a particular intersection. “We’re doing in essence the same thing, but we’re doing it every two inches,” he says. A manhole can be scanned in about five minutes, enabling a team to inspect 50 to 70 manholes a day.
“The system is incredibly fast because we don’t have to stop,” Sutton says. “With a manned inspection, you climb in and take measurements or point a camera at something. And with a pole camera you stick the camera down and work it around, looking at features you’re trying to find and focusing on things you find observable. But with our system, all you do is lower it down to the bottom of the manhole, turn it on and pull it to the top. So it’s safer because you spend less time over the manhole in the street.”
In addition to speed and safety, the inspection system lets users review files at the office, rather than in the field, and re-inspect files at any time. “A city would make the inspection, look at the file, and make their manhole inspection report,” Sutton says. “If they had questions, they could transfer the file to their engineering firm or a rehabilitation firm, and they could look at the file, inspect the manhole and make the appropriate recommendations.” 800/656-4225 or visit www.rapidview.com.
