Geotechnical Soil Characterization from Remote Sensing for the Assessment of Coastline Strength, Stability and Trafficability
Abstract
The geotechnical characterization of coastal sediments is a key component for the assessment of trafficability of beaches and other coastal areas (e.g., mud flats), coastal slope stability, and sediment strength. However, restrictions of physical access or time can disallow the deployment of common geotechnical methods which utilize mechanical field testing or the collection of quality sediment samples. This leads to an urgent need for geotechnical soil characterization from remotely sensed data, including data collected using satellites, unmanned aerial vehicles, or distant ground- or boat-based devices. To fill this gap in methodology, correlations between geotechnical soil characteristics such as sediment strength, cohesion, friction angles, and soil moisture content need to be identified, and an investigation framework for geotechnical soil characterization from remote sensing methods needs to be developed. Technical approaches: The following research objectives will be targeted: 1) Correlation of geotechnical soil characteristics to remotely sensed data with emphasis on multispectral and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) reflectivity; 2) Analysis of moisture content with regard to changes in the SAR and multispectral reflectivity; 3) Analysis of ice content with regard to changes in the SAR and multispectral reflectivity; 4) Determination of optimum SAR and multispectral imaging settings to assess geotechnical soil properties, including moisture or ice content. Assessment of benefits of data fusion, i.e., combination of SAR and multispectral imaging with other remote sensing techniques such as Light Detection and Ranging (Lidar); 5) Development of a data collection and processing framework to determine bearing capacity for assessing beach trafficability from multispectral images and SAR. The research objectives will be achieved through controlled experiments using prepared soil patches at Kentland Farm, Blacksburg, Virginia, and field experiments at two sites on the Outer Banks. Finally, the newly developed investigation framework will be tested in a field experiment at the coastline of New Hampshire. The experiments will feature simultaneous data collection using remote sensing techniques, in-situ geotechnical testing,and sediment sample collection for detailed laboratory analysis. The PI who has interdisciplinary expertise in geotechnical engineering, coastal sciences, and remote sensing will be supported by collaborators Hans C. Graber (University of Miami), Jesse McNinch and Heidi Wadmann (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), and Tom Lippmann (University of New Hampshire) who are providing expertise in remote sensing, coastal sciences, and field testing. Anticipated outcome of the research, and impact on DoD capabilities: Novel correlations between geotechnical soil characteristics and remotely sensed data will be derived. Based on those correlations, an investigation framework for the assessment of trafficability of beaches and other coastal areas will be developed and tested. If successful, the novel investigation framework will enable rapid geotechnical characterization of coastal sediments and their trafficability from remote sensing, and by doing so, accelerate and improve the prediction analyses for coastal trafficability. The novel investigation framework will enable site characterization without physical site access, contributingdirectly to the safety and feasibility of naval missions in coastal areas.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 10, 2018
- Source ID
- N000141812435
Entities
People
- Nina Stark
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- Virginia Tech