A long range laser scanning facility for resource geotechnics and natural hazard investigations

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Long range LiDAR scanning has significant potential for research in a wide area of geotechnical engineering, geological engineering and geoscience disciplines. This proposal is for the acquisition of a state-of-the-art long range scanner capable of imaging materials at distances of between 5m and 4km. The scanner will be used to characterize rock slopes for geotechnical and geoscience purposes and to allow accurate monitoring of slope deformations. It will provide valuable research opportunities of both an applied and pure nature. A major area of application of the long range LiDAR will be in the development and exploitation of Canada's natural resources. The scanner will allow improved understanding of slope instability, deformation and erosion in both open pit mine and harvested forest slopes. The scanner will be used to further our understanding of groundwater flow in fractured rock masses an important factor in groundwater resources characterization and in slope failure mechanisms. The use of the long range scanner in the characterization of the stratigraphy and geological structure in rock outcrops will also have important applications towards the hydrocarbons industry. Scanning will also be undertaken of pillars and mine walls in large underground excavations. An important area of focus will be the use of the long-range LIDAR to improve geohazard risk assessment of natural and engineered rock and soil slopes in addition to the monitoring of deformation and characterization of volcanic and glaciated slopes. Research will be conducted to improve the integration of the long range LiDAR imagery with multiple data sets available at the co-applicants institutions. These will include digital photogrammetry, satellite and ground -based InSAR and thermal imagery. The co-applicants will also strive to develop improve methods of data visualization and interpretation using augmented and virtual reality platforms available at SFU and UBC. The integration of the remote sensing datasets into state-of-the-art geomechanical and geoscience software will provide exciting new research opportunities. The long range LiDAR will provide excellent opportunities for state-of-the-art training to a large cohort of engineering and geoscience HQP.