Manhole & Pit Reality Capture

3D laser scanning for stormwater and sewer networks

Safer field capture. Complete underground geometry. One coordinated dataset for engineering, maintenance and asset management.

Trimble X7 TLS | MLS point cloud integration | CHCNAV RS10 bulk capture

Manhole and pit reality capture

Purpose-built surface setup allows the scanner to be lowered into the chamber while the operator remains above ground.

Trimble X7 TLS: detailed pit capture

Static terrestrial laser scanning for priority, complex or engineering-critical assets.

What the X7 workflow can record:

BEST FIT: Detailed or complex pits

Stormwater: turn complex pits into measurable 3D assets

Particularly valuable for junction pits, large chambers, multiple pipe connections and irregular structures.

Geometry we can capture:

Council & engineering uses:

The point cloud becomes a permanent digital record – dimensions can be revisited in the office long after the lid is closed.

Capture is subject to line of sight, water level, access, debris and other site conditions.

A scalable council workflow

From a representative pilot through to corridor or network-scale asset programs.

1
Scope

Asset list, purpose, required outputs and accuracy.

2
Datum

Adopt existing control / MLS base or establish project control.

3
Capture

X7 TLS or RS10 selected to suit pit type and program.

4
Register + QA

Point-cloud matching, checks and spatial validation.

5
Deliver

Engineering, GIS, asset and visual review outputs.

Pilot
Representative pits

Validate the method, outputs and QA on a small sample before wider rollout.

Corridor
Road + drainage / sewer

Combine MLS surface capture with underground scans for design and rehabilitation.

Network
Bulk asset refresh

Scale capture and attributes across a larger council pit / maintenance-hole inventory.

The capture plan can be tailored around council asset priorities, traffic environment, maintenance windows and required engineering outcomes.

Deliverables councils can use

One capture workflow – multiple engineering and asset-management outputs.

01 GEOREFERENCED POINT CLOUD

Controlled 3D dataset for desktop interrogation and future reuse.

02 PIT / MANHOLE PLANS & SECTIONS

Dimensioned views and cross-sections derived from the scan.

03 PIPE / INVERT / CONNECTION SCHEDULE

Asset geometry and connectivity attributes where visible.

04 CAD / 12d / 3D OUTPUTS

Design-ready extraction tailored to the project requirements.

05 GIS-READY ASSET ATTRIBUTES

Structured information to support council asset systems and updates.

06 QA & REGISTRATION RECORD

Documented spatial framework, point-cloud matching and verification.

START WITH A PILOT

Demonstrate the workflow on a representative group of stormwater and sewer assets, confirm outputs, then scale to the wider network.