A low-cost terrestrial stereo-pair photogrammetric monitoring system for highly hazardous areas

Authors: Guccione, DE; Giacomini, A; Thoeni, K; Bahootoroody, F; Roncella, R Download Paper Open access courtesy of:

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2335_56

Cite As:
Guccione, DE, Giacomini, A, Thoeni, K, Bahootoroody, F & Roncella, R 2023, 'A low-cost terrestrial stereo-pair photogrammetric monitoring system for highly hazardous areas', in PM Dight (ed.), SSIM 2023: Third International Slope Stability in Mining Conference, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 803-816, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2335_56



Abstract:
Spatial data are nowadays commonly used in engineering practice to support geohazard managements, identify and classify possible instabilities, and monitor their activity. Terrestrial laser scanners and groundbased radar systems, often implemented in mobile vehicles, are widely used within the mining sector to conduct periodic surveys of extended areas of hazardous access, and track deformations in almost real time. While such systems are very accurate and can operate in various weather conditions, their utilisation could incur substantial costs and require high technical expertise. Photogrammetry is considered as a viable and cost-effective alternative to traditional slope monitoring techniques. This paper presents recent improvements of a low-cost, autonomous terrestrial stereo-pair photogrammetric monitoring system specifically developed by the authors to monitor highly hazardous areas in surface mining environments and its application to the monitoring of a highwall face located in a mine site in New South Wales (Australia). The system is used to identify the sources of block instabilities (detachments) over several months to estimate the volumes of rock detached and their frequency over the period of observation. The system consists of two units. Each unit includes a box containing a high-resolution digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera (Nikon D850) controlled by a Raspberry Pi microcomputer. The system allows the collection of synchronised images at different periods. The images are downloaded remotely and processed automatically on a server to obtain a 3D model (e.g. 3D point cloud and mesh). The system also includes a new in-house web interface that allows the automatic comparison of 3D models obtained at various periods (change detection) and, therefore, to track and measure rock volume detachments. The web interface also allows the user to validate the identified detachments by visual comparison of the section of the original images where the difference was detected. A detailed analysis of the evolution of the rock surface, volumes and frequency of the rocks dislodging from the highwall over a period of several months is provided. This information constitutes valuable data for a detailed inventory of the rockfall spatial-temporal occurrence and magnitude. The data allows correlation of the occurrence of rockfall events with the rock lithology and weather conditions (e.g. rainfall events), confirming the capability of the system to generate useful data that would otherwise require extended periods of direct observation.

Keywords: slope monitoring, rockfall, surface mining, photogrammetry

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