Full warning im actual a re-seller of the product but i have been doing testing. Comparing LIDAR,RTK and scanning data compare to a standard eBee.
it is hard to compare RTK because of the the different variables(mostly human) but what i have found is when comparing to a data set that actually looks like the operator did a decent job shooting the pile is within 1% difference. Lidar was under 0.5% tolerance but it was a terrestrial scanner so only line of site the pile they used it on had a couple of anomalies on the top of the pile that didn't show up in the point cloud.I will soon be doing a comparison demo with Aerial LiDAR but do not have any data yet.
The app that uses photogrammetry is line of site so for taller piles that may have hidden ridges i would not use it.
To answer the OP original question if you use a UAV like the eBee and process in Pix4D for every volume you obtain the software will automatically calculate a +/- error for the associated pile this may be something worth looking into.
Would love to see some video's uploaded that show what your doing with the eBee/Pix4D.
Fascinating stuff. I think this is something that quite a few surveyors could branch out to.
The more they are exposed to the technology, the sooner they will move that direction.
This image shows one of the problems we encounter when reporting volumes.
The grader/trucking company ALWAYS disagrees with your numbers.
Don't know who to credit for the image but it may have come from this forum.
I researched this back in the early 1970's. The published research in Photogrammetric Engineering journal shows the industry standard of accuracy at 2% of actual volume when flown at 1500 feet above ground level and contoured at a one-foot contour interval. I would expect equivalent accuracy with UAV flights if the volume determination is performed by an experienced photogrammetrist (manually working) in stereo.
Using just software and "automatic correlation" to produce a resultant work product? Beats me what you get. I would prefer to trust human judgement than a purely mechanical process; especially if you're going to stake your reputation on the result.
