Volume Calculation: 5 Benefits of Introducing a Point Cloud Viewer — Improving Accuracy and Efficiency in Surveying Work

Table of Contents

• Introduction

• Benefit 1: Increased Reliability through High-Accuracy Volume Calculation

• Benefit 2: Streamlining Survey Work and Time Savings

• Benefit 3: New Technologies That Reduce Labor and Cut Costs

• Benefit 4: Improved Safety through Non-Contact Measurement

• Benefit 5: Facilitating Consensus and Utilization through 3D Data Sharing

• Simple Surveying with LRTK

• FAQ

Introduction

On civil engineering and construction sites, volume calculations for embankments, excavations, and stockpiled materials are performed routinely. Quantity control directly affects project costs and schedules, but traditional methods tend to be labor- and time-intensive. For example, measuring many dimensions on site with tapes or surveying instruments and then calculating volumes from drawings becomes an enormous effort as the site area grows. Estimating from a limited number of measurement points also inevitably introduces errors, leaving concerns about accuracy.

A promising solution to these challenges is three-dimensional measurement using point cloud data. By scanning a site with laser scanners, drones, or increasingly with smartphone LiDAR, terrain and structures can be digitally recorded as countless points (point clouds). When displayed in dedicated point cloud viewer software, you can measure distances, areas, and volumes freely from a 3D model that reproduces the site as it is.

By implementing volume calculations with a point cloud viewer, the detailed 3D data obtained from a single measurement can be used to instantly calculate required quantities. Think of measuring a digital copy of the site “as-is”: you can obtain objective information including parts not visible in plan drawings or photographs. This article explains five benefits of introducing a point cloud viewer capable of volume calculations, and how it improves the accuracy and efficiency of surveying work.

Benefit 1: Increased Reliability through High-Accuracy Volume Calculation

One of the biggest advantages of using a point cloud viewer is that it enables far higher-accuracy volume calculations than traditional methods. 3D point cloud data record the surface and fine undulations of the ground and structures with countless points. Unlike estimating from a few manually measured points, point clouds capture the entire object without omission, so the data used for volume calculation have no gaps. For example, when measuring the amount of embankment or stockpiles, you can calculate an accurate volume that reflects surface irregularities and slopes.

This higher accuracy greatly improves the reliability of progress management and quantity reporting. Where measurements used to vary by operator or rely on estimations, point cloud measurement gives consistent data regardless of who performs it. Values calculated from objective digital records are easy to substantiate, making explanations to clients and stakeholders simpler. Also, once a point cloud is acquired, it’s easy to cut arbitrary cross-sections later and recalculate volumes. If additional measurements are needed, there’s no need to revisit the site—you can remeasure missing areas in the data, preventing errors due to missed measurements.

Moreover, recent advances in point cloud technology have dramatically increased measurement precision itself. Precision varies with equipment and methods, but there are reports that even smartphone-integrated LiDAR scans can achieve about 1 cm (0.4 in) errors with appropriate techniques. In one case, tablet LiDAR measurement produced results within 0.1% error compared to drone surveying. High-end laser scanners can achieve millimeter-level accuracy, but comparable levels are becoming achievable with more accessible measurement methods. Introducing a point cloud viewer allows you to leverage such state-of-the-art technologies for high-accuracy volume calculations, significantly improving the accuracy and reliability of on-site surveying data.

Benefit 2: Streamlining Survey Work and Time Savings

A not-to-be-missed benefit of introducing a point cloud viewer is the efficiency improvement of surveying and quantity calculation tasks. Acquiring 3D point clouds covers large areas in far less time than traditional manual methods. For example, a terrestrial laser scanner can be set up on a tripod and capture the surrounding area in a few minutes, and a drone can digitize a vast site from the air in a short flight. Recently, using smartphone or tablet LiDAR, you can walk a site and acquire surrounding point clouds in just a few minutes to around ten minutes. Areas that once required survey staff hours of work and dozens of point measurements can be captured in a single scan by machine.

In addition, volume calculation from acquired point clouds is automated in software, hugely reducing time spent on calculations. Where volumes were once calculated by hand or by summing cross-sectional areas in spreadsheets, a point cloud viewer yields instant results by specifying an area and pressing a button. Because you can know volumes on-site immediately, there’s no need to take data back to the office for recalculation.

There are real-world cases where point cloud technology has dramatically shortened working time. At one construction site, measuring the as-built excavation with tablet LiDAR completed in about 30 minutes total, whereas the same task using drone photogrammetry had previously taken more than half a day (about 5 hours). By eliminating flight planning and photo processing and using an on-site 3D scan with immediate volume calculation, they reduced working time by about 90%. Even if not that extreme, many report that surveying now takes less than half the time it used to, or that they can perform other tasks while data processing used to be pending. Increased productivity across operations creates slack that can lead to shorter project schedules and earlier starts on subsequent work.

Benefit 3: New Technologies That Reduce Labor and Cut Costs

The efficiency gains from point cloud viewers also help address labor shortages and rising costs. Because fewer personnel can survey wider areas, labor-saving leads to reduced personnel and subcontracting costs. Tasks that once required a specialist survey team and a full day can now sometimes be completed by a single person with modern equipment in a short time. For sites chronically short of skilled staff, point cloud technology is a powerful trump card enabling accurate surveys with limited personnel.

Automation of measurement and calculation also reduces human errors, which is significant for cost control. You can avoid unnecessary expenses from rework, repeats, or additional construction due to mistakes. Quantity calculations based on point cloud data are less dependent on operator skill and maintain consistent accuracy, reducing variability in quality control. As a result, there are fewer delays from rework or incident responses, contributing to overall cost reduction.

Also noteworthy is that the cost of point cloud technology has fallen dramatically compared to the past. Previously expensive laser scanners and dedicated software were required, but now relatively affordable options like drones and smartphone-based methods have proliferated. For example, combining a small GNSS receiver that attaches to a smartphone with a dedicated app can yield point cloud measurement and volume calculation accuracy comparable to equipment that used to cost millions of yen. Such price points make one-device-per-person operation realistic even for smaller firms. If every staff member can measure with their own device, time spent waiting for surveying is eliminated, directly improving site-wide productivity.

Benefit 4: Improved Safety through Non-Contact Measurement

Improving safety in surveying work is another major benefit of adopting a point cloud viewer. Point cloud measurement is fundamentally non-contact, using laser light or photography, so surveyors don’t need to enter hazardous areas. When measuring volumes on steep slopes, people used to climb slopes and use tape measures, but drones or long-range laser scanners can measure slopes prone to collapse from a safe distance. On sites with moving heavy machinery, remote scanning reduces the need to pause operations or have people approach machines, lowering risk.

Point cloud technology thus offers the major advantage of avoiding dangerous areas for measurement. For example, in mountain road construction, 3D laser scanners have been used to measure slopes so workers don’t need to approach the edge on the valley side, and in river works, lasers measured fast-flowing sections from land to ensure safety. Furthermore, high-accuracy point cloud data can be used directly for site safety management. Creating a surface model from point clouds enables early detection of landslide signs, and periodic scans to monitor displacements or deformations of structures can prevent accidents due to deterioration. A point cloud viewer is not just a tool for measuring volumes but also a valuable safety management tool on site.

Benefit 5: Facilitating Consensus and Utilization through 3D Data Sharing

The 3D data produced by point cloud viewers is also powerful for post-survey information sharing and consensus building. Because point cloud data are intuitive three-dimensional information, site conditions that are hard to convey with drawings or numbers can be understood at a glance. For example, showing pre- and post-construction terrain changes with 3D point cloud models, or overlaying planned lines from design drawings with as-built point clouds, makes differences easy to grasp visually even for non-experts. In one case, a client who received a point cloud model with a viewer praised it as “easier to understand the site than plan drawings.” Seeing it in 3D often makes explanations and discussions smoother, shortening the time needed to reach agreement.

Moreover, acquired point cloud data become a digital archive and long-term asset. Unlike paper drawings or photo albums, they don’t deteriorate and don’t take up physical space, so keeping high-accuracy site records helps future renovation planning or troubleshooting. Once you scan a site entirely, you can perform additional virtual measurements later when you realize you need dimensions that weren’t recorded initially. If point clouds remain, you can perform “virtual surveying” repeatedly. This reusability of 3D data increases operational flexibility and reduces unnecessary site re-surveys.

Sharing point cloud data has also become easier recently. Using cloud-based Web point cloud viewers, stakeholders who don’t have dedicated software can view and measure 3D data through a browser. Project members, clients, and subcontractors can all view the same model during meetings, enabling consistent information sharing regardless of distance. Introducing a point cloud viewer therefore contributes not only to advanced site measurement but also to smoother communication via digital data and the promotion of DX (digital transformation) across operations.

Simple Surveying with LRTK

As described above, 3D measurement using a point cloud viewer offers great benefits to surveying operations and is highly worthwhile to implement. However, some may hesitate, wondering “Can our company really use this effectively?” or “We can’t afford expensive equipment.” An approach to consider is simple surveying using smartphones with LRTK.

LRTK is a modern surveying system in which a small high-precision GNSS receiver is attached to a smartphone or tablet. Combined with a dedicated app, anyone can easily achieve centimeter-level accuracy (half-inch accuracy) positioning, while simultaneously using the smartphone’s LiDAR sensor or cameras to obtain point cloud data. In other words, this single device completes everything on the smartphone—from high-precision positioning through point cloud capture to volume calculation—an all-in-one tool.

With LRTK, 3D surveying that once required specialized equipment becomes suddenly accessible. Simply attach a pocket-sized device to your phone, walk the site to scan necessary areas, and check as-built quantities on the spot. Collected data can be uploaded to the cloud with one touch and the 3D model can be viewed and shared from an office PC immediately. Complex operations are automated by the app, and intuitive, button-driven interfaces make it usable even for those uncomfortable with technology. Some users even say it was easier than using conventional total stations, achieving high-precision surveying without worrying about difficult coordinate transformations or settings.

In terms of accuracy, don’t underestimate smartphone-based measurement. LRTK attaches accurate absolute coordinates to acquired point clouds in real time using RTK GNSS positioning. Because geographic coordinates are given with centimeter-level accuracy (half-inch accuracy), the generated 3D models align well with conventional survey maps and design data. This means smartphones can achieve accuracy comparable to typical surveying instruments. LRTK, which combines portability, ease of use, and accuracy, is truly a solution that lets anyone enjoy the benefits of point cloud utilization on site.

If you are interested in introducing a point cloud viewer capable of volume calculation but feel it seems difficult or worry about initial costs, we recommend starting with simple surveying using LRTK. With a smartphone and a compact device, you can try 3D surveying from today. By actually using it on your sites, you will appreciate its convenience and effectiveness. LRTK brings point cloud technology within reach—use it to dramatically improve the accuracy and efficiency of your surveying operations.

FAQ

Q: What is a point cloud viewer? A: A point cloud viewer is software for displaying and manipulating acquired point cloud data (a collection of countless 3D coordinate points) on a computer. It visualizes the cloud of points scattered in three-dimensional space as a volumetric image and typically includes analysis functions such as distance, area, and volume measurement. In short, a point cloud viewer is a tool that reads the vast point cloud data obtained by laser scanning or photogrammetry and enables “surveying” and “measuring” in a digital space.

Q: Do I need special equipment to acquire point cloud data? A: There are several ways to acquire point cloud data, and you don’t necessarily need large-scale equipment to start. High-precision terrestrial laser scanners and survey drones can produce high-quality point clouds, but nowadays smartphone and tablet LiDAR or cameras can also provide convenient point cloud measurements. Solutions that convert a smartphone into a surveying instrument by combining it with a small GNSS receiver (e.g., the LRTK mentioned above) have also emerged. Depending on your budget and scale, there are various options from familiar devices to specialized equipment.

Q: How accurate are volume calculations using point clouds? A: In general, volume calculations using point clouds can be expected to be more accurate than conventional manual calculations. Point clouds obtained by laser scanning or photogrammetry capture surfaces almost comprehensively, allowing quantity calculations with smaller errors than estimating from limited points. Actual measurement accuracy depends on the equipment and conditions, but under good conditions terrain can be captured with an accuracy of a few centimeters or less (a few inches or less), so volume calculation errors can be kept very small. For example, even simple smartphone-based measurements have achieved errors of about 1-2 cm (0.4-0.8 in) with careful practice, demonstrating sufficient practical accuracy without relying on expensive equipment. However, for measurements requiring millimeter-level precision (such as structural displacement detection), using dedicated high-precision instruments is important—choose the method appropriate for the application.

Q: I’m worried that implementation and operation will be difficult. Can beginners use it? A: Modern point cloud measurement tools and software are designed to be user-friendly. Data processing is increasingly automated, and many mainstream tools deliver results with simple button operations without requiring complicated parameter settings. For smartphone app-based point cloud measurement, following on-screen instructions to move the device will complete scanning automatically. Many users report “it was easier than expected,” and some find these tools more straightforward than traditional surveying instruments. Products with comprehensive tutorials and support are increasingly available, and intuitive UIs make them accessible even without learning everything from scratch. While initial concerns are natural, once you try them you’ll likely be surprised at the ease of use.

Q: I want to adopt new technology but am worried about costs. Are there low-cost ways to start? A: While point cloud technology may bring to mind expensive dedicated equipment, low-cost entry options have appeared in recent years. For example, by using a smartphone’s LiDAR scanner or camera with an app and combining it with an optional GNSS receiver, you can perform 3D measurements on site without assembling equipment costing millions of yen. Solutions like LRTK allow you to leverage your smartphone to reduce initial investment while achieving high-precision surveying. Cloud services can also eliminate the need to buy high-performance PCs or software outright. It’s a good approach to start with small-scale or trial deployments, evaluate cost-effectiveness, and then scale up gradually.