Remote Sensing for Engineering Site Selection
Abstract
For any significant construction, e.g., airstrip, bridge, dam, powerplant, industrial park, canal, etc., there is the first phase of site selection and evaluation. One goal of this phase is to obtain information about surficial materials (granular, cohesive, permeable, nonuniform, etc.), thickness of the soil mantle, nature of the bedrock, drainage, presence of unstable materials and conditions, presence of subsurface solution cavities, fractures, joints, faults, etc. Remote sensing techniques in the form of manual analysis of photo index sheets and Landsat for regional information, and of stereo aerial photography for local details, provides an economical and rapid means of obtaining this first assessment. An experienced team can quickly produce surficial geology/soils maps, drainage maps, land use/land cover maps, etc., highlight potential problem areas, select preferred sites and alternates, and indicate probable impacts on the environment of any given action. This image- derived information sets the basis for establishing a logical ground sampling program, and provides the framework for correlating a large variety of information. As yet, it is not possible to provide very much of this needed terrain information by digital, or automatic, image analysis procedures.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 13, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA102810
Entities
People
- Jack N. Rinker
- Robert E. Frost
Organizations
- Geospatial Research Laboratory