3D Walkthroughs for Remote Site Inspections
In industries like mining, construction, and heavy infrastructure, site inspections are essential, but they’re not always simple. Remote locations, access restrictions, and the cost of deploying engineers can make inspections slow and expensive. That’s where 3D walkthroughs come in.
By capturing a site in high-resolution 3D walkthroughs, engineers can conduct detailed inspections from their desks. No travel delays. No boots on the ground. Just accurate, measurable insight delivered through a virtual site experience.
What Are 3D Walkthroughs?
3D walkthroughs are a navigable, digital replica of a site. Using drone-based 3D capture, 360° imagery, and HD photography, engineers can “walk” through a site virtually, panning, zooming, and rotating viewpoints just as they would on the ground.
Unlike static images, 3D walkthroughs allow interactive navigation, precise measurements, and annotations. This makes them powerful tools for engineering inspections, design preparation, construction supervision, and maintenance planning.
How 3D Walkthroughs Work
The process begins with data capture, usually from drones and ground-based 360° cameras. This raw data is then processed into a navigable 3D model.
Engineers can log into the platform, explore the walkthrough, and overlay engineering insights directly onto the visuals. These walkthroughs integrate seamlessly with design and analysis tools such as Navisworks, AutoCAD, and other BIM platforms, ensuring the virtual inspection supports real-world decision-making.
In practical terms, 3D walkthroughs replicate the experience of being onsite. Engineers can assess structural deterioration, check progress against design models, and even supervise remedial works, all from their desktop.
When to Use 3D Walkthroughs
Not every inspection requires engineers to be onsite. 3D walkthroughs are ideal for:
- Initial condition assessments of remote assets
- Engineering design preparation before mobilising crews
- Verification of construction or remedial works
- Shutdown planning and review
- Maintenance documentation and compliance records
- Preliminary inspections to determine if a site visit is even necessary
By using 3D walkthroughs strategically, organisations reduce travel requirements while still gaining the engineering clarity they need.
Benefits of 3D Walkthroughs
The advantages are clear:
- Remote access – Inspect sites without travel delays or safety risks
- Engineer-led insight – Walkthroughs are reviewed by experienced professionals
- Reduced costs – Fewer trips and shorter shutdowns save money
- Improved communication – Shareable walkthroughs align contractors and stakeholders
- Long-term records – Build a visual history of asset condition over time
In short, 3D walkthroughs deliver the same confidence as a physical inspection, without the logistical challenges.
Real-World Examples
- Remote Mining Asset – In April 2021, we couldn’t attend our six-monthly inspection of concrete bins in outback NSW due to COVID-19 and travel restrictions. But our drone pilot and photographer Brad could. He was in the state, and following our system of data gathering, he, or rather his drone and camera, became our site-eyes.
Back at the desk, our engineer reviewed the data in a virtual site consisting of 3D imagery and high-resolution photographs – A 3D Walkthrough, or Virtual Tour, that looked like he was there.
- Construction Verification – Before the expense of deploying structural engineers to your site to conduct in-situ site inspections, consider a 3D walkthrough first. It doesn’t have to be a full plant laser scan either – our access to technology means your own personnel can create a virtual tour for our engineers to review – at least initially.
- Preliminary Site Scope – A recent project involved significant remedial works at a mineral processing plant that had suffered from major corrosion.
We want to ensure our designs are constructible. We want to make sure we haven’t missed anything. We really need to go to the site. But we can’t. At least not without two lots of 14-day self-quarantine.
Throughout the process, we worked with existing drawings, photographs and measurements fed from people on site to produce structural design models and a CAD model (Navisworks) to fully document the remedial works.
During the execution of the works, a Virtual Tour was created, allowing us to verify that the rectification work was carried out in accordance with our remedial design.
Walking Into the Future of Site Inspections
In today’s industries where time, safety, and access are critical, 3D walkthroughs provide a smarter way forward. They combine accuracy with convenience, giving engineers the insight they need without the barriers of traditional site visits.
At Yenem Engineering Services, we use 3D walkthroughs to bring the site to us; complete with measurable visuals, expert analysis, and engineering confidence.
Sure, not every situation should avoid a site visit, but the question should be asked – are you sure we can’t do this remotely? Quicker, safer, faster?
Ready to see how virtual inspections could save your project time and cost? Contact us today to arrange a 3D site capture or explore how walkthroughs can enhance your maintenance and construction workflows.