By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • • • • 0 Comments

Snow Removal Tips

As we have entered another winter season, it’s time to prepare for everyone’s favorite holiday activity: shoveling snow. Instead of suffering when shoveling, why not simplify the task with a few simple suggestions?

Before the snow falls, take some preemptive action. Anything that you don't want to be ruined by snow should be removed from your yard, including decorations, hoses, dog tie-outs, and children's toys. To avoid unintentional snow accumulation when it comes time to shovel, stake out garden beds or other areas of your yard that hold items that cannot be carried inside or kept in a shed. A little home surveying goes a long way!

To reduce how much clearing you’ll have to do, try obtaining a few waterproof tarps, and don’t forget to weigh or tie them down when being used to avoid them from flying away. Waterproof tarps can be positioned over sidewalks, walkways, and even vehicles to protect their surfaces and lessen post-snowfall cleanup. Before going outside to remove the tarps and make shoveling snow easier, wear gloves, boots with good traction, and layers of clothes. Remove the tarp once the snow stops falling to expose clear vehicles and/or pathways underneath. Even though it could take some shoveling to lighten the weight of the tarp, it still offers a good amount of protection.

Now, when it comes to shoveling snow, make sure you’re doing it correctly and safely. Do some research on the different types of shovels to determine which ones are the right fit for you. Shovels come in different types, shapes, and price points. After selecting the shovel that fits your needs best, make sure when raising the shovel, you bend at the knees rather than the back to protect your back. Consider not overfilling the shovel to avoid shoulder strain. Speed is not as important as safety! If possible, try to shovel the snow as soon as it stops snowing, as fresh snow tends to weigh less than snow that has begun to melt. And don’t forget to add salt on clear areas to avoid hard ice from developing, causing dangerous, slippery areas.

Have a safe winter!

 

By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • • • • 0 Comments

What Is Total Station Used For?

Total Station technology was first introduced in the 1900s; however, the first official Total Station tool was created in 1968 by a German company called Carl Zeiss Inc., and during that time, Zeiss called this tool the “electronic tacheometer.” It wasn't until Hewlett-Packard launched a tool that provided similar results, but with the name "Total Station," over thirty years after the electronic tacheometer was created that it adopted its current name.

Total Station is an electronic distance measuring device (EDM) that is utilized by land surveyors and civil engineers while performing site surveys and construction work. The Total Station combines the ability to measure vertical and horizontal angles with electronic distances by combining a telescope, computer, and reflector. Total stations are tools that can be placed on the ground and use various sensors to calculate kilometers, angles, sectors, and altitudes, and find items. This is a great tool to use when needing to get the most accurate measurements on a project. After all the data is collected, it can be imported onto computers or laptops for the additional information to be processed.

Total Station has advantages and disadvantages, just like any other tool. The Total Station's measurement accuracy is an advantage, but the cost of the tool increases with increasing measurement accuracy in addition to its features, which can be a disadvantage for many companies. Therefore, buying a Total Station requires a significant investment of funds, so it is important to evaluate which model is best for the kind of work that your company does. Prism total stations, robotic total stations, autolock total stations, and total mechanical stationary are some of the different types of Total Stations. Furthermore, if funds are an issue, there are other tools that can offer an excellent alternative at a small fraction of the cost for projects that do not require precise measurement.

 

By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • • • • 0 Comments

Survey Drones

Did you know that unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or unmanned aircraft systems are the more formally known names for drones?

The invention of the first UAV could be traced back to 1783, when the first pilotless hot-air balloon was created, and that is because any powered aerial vehicle without a human operator aboard is considered a drone. Therefore, from a technical standpoint, drones have been around for decades, but modern drones started to be developed in the 1900s. As technology evolves, innovators have been improving the quality of drones, which allows a variety of industries to use them to improve their quality of work. Due to their capacity to quickly cover vast surface areas and provide access to difficult places, modern drones have gained a lot of popularity.

The exponential growth of technological innovation is causing rapid changes in the field of professional land surveying, and one of the new developments in land surveying technology is the use of drones. Survey drones have become essential tools because they allow surveyors to get their data quickly and accurately, which expands their services and helps reduce costs. Survey drones can be used for mapping and surveying due to their ability to fly over the ground and successfully carry out tasks for land surveys, 3D mapping, and topographic and photogrammetry surveys on large plots of land.

Surveyors must adhere to legal requirements and basic operating procedures, even as survey drone technology becomes more adaptable and accessible to users. Because of its influence, strong laws are implemented to preserve a secure environment.

 

By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • • • • • • 0 Comments

Why are Steel Structures Used in Most Construction?

 

 

Did you know that steel is a high-strength grade of construction material?

Steel, known for its reliability and cost efficiency, is considered the go-to material for construction purposes. How are steel structures cost-effective while at the same time being the go-to material? Steel requires fewer raw materials, is lower-maintenance and inexpensive to manufacture, and steel structures are generally more durable than those constructed from other materials because the alloy can endure severe weather conditions. It also staves off rust and mold accumulation, giving the material a longer lifespan. For all these reasons, using steel is widely considered a great long-term investment.

Modern contractors and designers use the material for all types of structural engineering work. Steel can be shaped to accommodate each project’s unique specifications – some of the potential forms it can assume include round tube (HSS), plate, an angle, and wide flange, among others. Its flexibility allows engineers and architects to bring their beautiful designs to life. So, if you’ve ever passed a modern bridge, building, or tower that caught your attention and wondered what it was made of, the answer is probably, at least partially, steel!

If you are curious about buildings and/or bridges built with steel, here are three famous examples:
1. The Empire State Building, located in New York City, was constructed in 1931. The Empire State Building once held the record for being the world’s tallest building. It was designed by William F. Lamb, who drew inspiration from art deco aesthetics.

2. The Brooklyn Bridge, also located in New York City, was constructed in 1883. It is known for being the first steel-wire suspension bridge built in the world. The original designer was John Augustus Roebling, who sadly succumbed to injuries he obtained from an accident he had on the bridge. His son, Washington Roebling, continued his work, but also suffered an accident that led to him developing a sickness, and his wife Emily Warren Roebling subsequently stepped in to help him finish the bridge.

3. The Burj Khalifa, located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, was constructed in 2006. This building is currently the tallest in the world. It was designed by Adrian Smith, and according to the ruler of Dubai, the inspiration that led to its construction struck him during a previous visit to the Empire State Building.

By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • • • • • • 0 Comments

Infrastructure Week, Day 5: Roads

In the U.S., roads are typically an unavoidable part of our everyday lives. Many use roadways daily to travel to and from work, school, social engagements, and more. As the years go by, American metropolitan areas are increasingly stymied by traffic congestion. The average American spends 97 hours a year stuck in traffic. That’s over 12 full workdays! Meanwhile, suburban and rural areas are forced to contend with deteriorating road conditions as well as outdated and dangerous traffic configurations.

At KC Engineering and Land Surveying, P.C. (KC), maintaining and upgrading roads remains an important priority. Our civil engineers are skilled in parking lot and roadway design, and along with our traffic engineers they effectively and efficiently plan, design, and oversee the construction of intersection improvements, parking facilities, maintenance and protection of traffic (MPT) plans, highways, utility relocations, site lighting, driveways and other roadways, curbs, and sidewalks so that the outcomes not only provide for smooth transitions but also for economically functional results.

With projects like Cross Westchester Expressway (I-287) Exit 8E Reconstruction, 5th Avenue Reconstruction, DeLavergne Avenue Reconstruction, and Milling and Resurfacing of Federal Aid Roads, KC strives to maintain the safety and commutability of area roads, because at KC we recognize the vital importance of roadway infrastructure.