37th Edition | 3rd Quarter 2024

Improvement and Growth

The onset of the Fall season always seems to bring about a feeling of change. In business, change is essential for survival, growth, and staying competitive in a rapidly progressing world. Businesses that fail to evolve risk becoming indistinguishable from others.

At GEL Solutions, we are continually driven in the pursuit of new technologies, processes, and methods that drive efficiency and excellence. Focus on continuous improvement in customer service and solutions that meet evolving needs is crucial in our industry. Our team thrives on advancement and we welcome the challenge.

Happy Autumn!

J. Derek Bradner P.E., PLS

Director

As part of our commitment to continuous improvement and growth, we're excited to join all of our sister companies in introducing our newly re-designed GEL website! We thank Hop Studios for their website development expertise and for working closely with our team to create a fresh look and a more optimized solution for our clients and visitors.

Check it out here!

We were excited to attend this year's SASHTO conference in August, held in Rogers, AR. The event spotlighted key topics in transportation and infrastructure development, including roadways, bridges, public transit, and more. The future of transportation in the southeastern U.S. is promising! We look forward to connecting again in Kentucky for SASHTO 2025.

GEL Solutions looks forward to seeing you at the following event:

NCDOT Preconstruction ​Workshop

September 30-October 1 | Raleigh, NC

ACEC/NC NCDOT Joint Transportation Conference

October 10-11 | Raleigh, NC

We'd love to talk with you!

Your next opportunity is waiting for you!

We are always looking for highly motivated, energetic professionals who share our culture, core values and goals. If you fit that description and would like to be part of a well-respected firm, enhance your skill set, and work with some of the most knowledgeable professionals in our industry, we invite you to apply.

Survey Technicians I,II,II - Greensboro, NC

Survey Technicians I,II,II - Raleigh, NC

SUE Technicians I,II,II - Raleigh, NC

Regional Survey Manager - Raleigh, NC

SUE Field Supervisor - Charleston, SC

Visit our careers page for a list of regularly updated postings.

GEL Engineering was tasked with performing a comprehensive structural assessment of the historic Bennett Rice Mill façade at the SCPA Union Pier Terminal in Charleston, South Carolina. The entire structure was inspected from the ground up. An aerial lift was used for elevated surfaces and structures. This included an assessment of the brick masonry façade, which is the only remaining portion of the Bennett Rice Mill constructed circa 1845, and the steel bracing which was subsequently installed to support the structure for wind loads. GEL also performed structural analysis to develop alternative restoration options.

GEL Solutions' Role on the Project Using LiDAR Technology

In coordination with GEL Engineering, GEL Solutions conducted a terrestrial LiDAR scan of the target area to create to-scale CADD views, offering precision detail of the structure. The deliverable was produced using a 3D triangulated, colorized mesh and Virtual Reality (VR) technology.

Check out the video below highlighting this portion of the project.

GEL Engineering is currently performing a detailed structural assessment and analysis to develop construction documents for stabilization of the structure, and is coordinating closely with the contractor during the stabilization.

Visit our website for or more information on GEL's Structural Engineering and 3D Laser Scanning services.

History of LiDAR Technology

Scientists and engineers are constantly discovering innovative uses for LiDAR technology. In the automotive sector, LiDAR sensors enable advanced ADAS features like parking assistance and blind spot detection. Additionally, LiDAR is used to survey environments that are too dangerous for humans to access directly, such as active volcanoes or mining tunnels.

LiDAR technology emerged soon after the invention of the laser in 1960. Lasers, with their shorter wavelengths, can reflect off smaller objects, allowing for more precise detection and measurement of elements like cloud particles and raindrops.

Commercial and industrial applications of LiDAR began emerging in the 1980s, with significant advancements in the 1990s. Single-line scanning systems expanded LiDAR's use across various fields, while centimeter-level accuracy in GPS enabled its integration with positioning systems. These technological advancements facilitated the use of LiDAR in industrial applications and early autonomous vehicle projects. It wasn't until the 2000s, however, that LiDAR started to be adopted in commercial automotive applications.

Read more about the history of LiDAR in the source article published by Hesai Technology.

In North Carolina, any engineering and surveying services are performed by GEL Engineering of NC, Inc. from the Greensboro and Raleigh locations.