SP80 GNSS Receivers Increase Water Pipeline Survey Efficiency
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SP80 GNSS Receivers Increase Water Pipeline Survey Efficiency

On the Greek island of Euboea, surveys for two legs of a new water pipeline were recently completed with remarkably different efficiencies. The difference, according to the lead survey engineer, Epameinondas Valtinos, was directly attributable to Spectra Precision’s highly efficient SP80 GNSS receiver.

The 155km first leg used three conventional GNSS receivers and a total station was completed in 25 days for productivity of 6km per day. The second 75km leg was completed in seven days using just two Spectra Precision SP80 GNSS receivers and a total station for the productivity of almost 11km per day. Both legs traversed rugged, heavily forested and mountainous terrain.

It had been estimated that the second leg would take 14 days, but because of the efficiency of the SP80’s, it was done in half the estimated time, and importantly, with fewer personnel. The first leg using conventional GNSS receivers employed seven people, one base and three rovers, while the second leg employing the SP80 required only five people, plus one base and just two rovers. The SP80 yielded an overall efficiency of 5.35km/person/day compared to 2.06 km/person/day for the conventional GNSS receivers — for an overall efficiency gain of 160%.

The need for the total station was almost eliminated “because the SP80 was so efficient in taking measurements to building corners and under trees, it dramatically reduced the use of the total station to further cut time on the job,” noted Valtinos. “The lighter weight SP80 also helped improve job speed”.

The new pipeline will connect a new dam, Seta Manikia, currently under construction, to provide municipal water service to new areas of the island.

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