Development of integrated system for monitoring and modeling of structural and ground deformation

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Rapid development of new deformation sensors and, at the same time, the growing concern regarding public safety, efficient production, and environmental protection, call for a new approach to the design and analysis of multi-sensor monitoring schemes. The design must be based on a good understanding of the physical process (mechanism) of deformation, delineation of expected stable zone, and on a good understanding of the sources of errors and limitations of various monitoring techniques. The applicant and his research team at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) have been involved in the development of new techniques and methods for monitoring and modeling of structural and ground deformations since 1970s. Recent developments include a generalized method of geometrical analysis of deformation; the ALERT software package for automated data collection and displacement evaluation; deterministic modeling and prediction of ground subsidence in mining areas, and the concept of using deterministic modeling in the design of monitoring schemes. The long-term objective of the proposed research is to expand and consolidate the above developments to create an intelligent Integrated System (IS) for a systematic approach to monitoring, modeling, and physical interpretation of structural and ground deformation. Over the next five years, the research will concentrate on the following components of IS: (1) evaluation and enhancement of new monitoring technologies focusing on the ground-based radar interferometry; and (2) separability concept in selecting the best fitting deterministic deformation model in the integrated analysis of deformation. The development of the Integrated System will be tested on real-life monitoring projects, which can provide reliable monitoring data. These include Cortez Hills open pit mine in Nevada, PCS potash mine in New Brunswick (extraction of potash, salt, water, and gas), deformations of large earthen dams in California, and a large dike of a toxic tailing pond at KGHM Copper mine in Poland.