Even though manholes can be accessed simply by removing the cover, assessment of their condition has not received much attention up to now. During the last few decades, the inspection industry and manufacturers of inspection equipment have focused mainly on mainline pipes and laterals. But as manholes form a connection between roads and the sewage system, they are an important access point for cleaning, CCTV inspection, leak testing and rehabilitation.

This gap has now been addressed by the PANORAMO SI. This camera, shown for the first time at the IFAT 2008 in Germany, works on the IBAK PANORAMO principle and enables comprehensive condition assessment of manholes.

The PANORAMO principle

The IBAK-PANORAMO SI extends the advantages of the well-known PANORAMO technology to manhole inspections. The result is a rapid and comprehensive optical condition assessment of manholes.

Article continues below…

The PANORAMO SI uses two high-resolution digital cameras, each with a 185 degree fish eye lens, to take hemispherical photos at 5 cm intervals. These photos are transmitted digitally to the inspection van where they are put together to form full spherical 360 degree images from which a complete, genuine, 3D interior view of the manhole is generated. Short xenon flashes guarantee pin sharp images, despite a scanning speed of 35 cm per second.

This provides the user with a full scan of the entire manhole, as a 3D film and an unfolded view. This means that condition assessment can be separated from the actual scanning process and can be performed in the office later at any time. The user can manipulate the PANORAMO file to freely view the manhole, stop at any position and do a 360 degree pan and zoom. All objects such as projecting inlets, faulty manhole rings and wall sections can be viewed from all angles. Condition assessment does not have to be performed at the same time as scanning, but can be done at any later time.

Film files

PANORAMO and PANORAMO SI films can be passed on with the free PANORAMO Viewer. These films form the basis for all further processing. The user only has to go to the manhole again to perform rehabilitation work. All previous steps such as analysis, evaluation, scheduling of building, and rehabilitation work are performed using the PANORAMO film.