Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

<p>The equipment requested in this application comprises a LiDAR scanner including the scanner, batteries and tripod, training in its correct use,&nbsp;and associated equipment to permit applications of best practices in survey design. The associated equipment includes survey targets which are used to match various scans from different vantage points at a single time period into a larger model.&nbsp;In addition, state of the art software is provided with the equipment, to permit overlay of photographs taken by the high resolution digital camera&nbsp;included in the package directly onto the LiDAR point cloud, and to analyse data to the greatest accuracy possible. </p> <p>The equipment is complementary with one previous LiDAR extended range scanner&nbsp;(&gt; 1km range - RTI, 2007), and replaces a closer range, high accuracy scanner (80m range - RTI, 2008). The second scanner has been used extensively in underground excavations, and unfortunately in spite of regular maintenance, has ceased to function. The scanner applied for solves this problem by housing the scanner in a nitrogen filled chamber, thereby protecting it from corrosive sulphide and salt dust in the underground sites where it will be used. </p> <p>The LiDAR scanner data will be used for detection of fractures on rock slopes and within tunnels, and to collect sequential scans to be compared to determine the location and amount of deformation. This LiDAR scanner has two different ways of transmitting and collecting the data (time of flight versus phase based). If the slower, closer range phase based setting is used, the range drops from 800 to 250 m. This data permits the detection and removal of the first data returned - which comes from reflection of light from nearer objects&nbsp;- in this case, mesh and other support systems in tunnels, and trees and power lines from rock slope scans. Continued deployment of LiDAR scanners on tunnel projects will permit further development of logic to assess ongoing rockmass damage and&nbsp;provide a basis for calibrating numerical models, and on slopes will provide the&nbsp;basis for continued development of user friendly work flows and analysis approaches for providing warning of impending rock slope failure. Both data sets and analysis approaches are valuable contributions to the safe excavation of underground&nbsp;excavations and the safe operation of&nbsp;sites exposed to rock slope hazards. The detailed information supplied permits high resolution numerical models to be built and tested.&nbsp;The research outcomes benefit mine sites, tunnel excavations and rock slopes adjacent to highway, pipeline and railway infrastructure, across Canada and internationally, by providing early failure warning. </p> <p>The equipment will support research conducted by D.J. Hutchinson and M.S. Diederichs and their research teams. Approximately 20 new students a year will be trained in the use of this equipment and in the applications of remote sensing to geomechanical stability and damage assessment.&nbsp;</p>