Application of UAVs in Geo-Engineering for Hazard Observation
A special issue of Remote Sensing (ISSN 2072-4292). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Remote Sensing".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2022) | Viewed by 13723
Special Issue Editors
Interests: laser scanning; Lidar; UAV; SAR; HRSI; DEM/DTM; civil structures monitoring; landslide mapping and monitoring
Interests: GNSS applications; landslide e-structures monitoring; UAV; laser scanning/Lidar; DEM/DTM
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Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The earth’s surface has been modeled by geological dynamics that have shaped it and by complex geomorphological processes that drive its transformation and evolution over time. Structures lay on the ground, and their stability and safety are determined by the interaction between their foundations and the ground itself. Therefore, any dynamics involving the ground have strong—sometimes disastrous—effects on the safety of the structure itself. Resilience of structures and infrastructures to geo-hazard events has, therefore, become a crucial feature.
Accurate geomatic surveying is a prerequisite for studying the processes and dynamics of both the earth’s surface and of the structures on it. Such surveying is widely used in geology and geomorphology for its ability to provide reliable multiscale and multi-temporal base maps and accurate digital elevation models (DEM).
For some applications, geological engineering requires very high precision. To achieve this goal, it is now possible to make use of new remote sensing techniques that allow large areas of ground to be covered while guaranteeing, at the same time, excellent quality of the acquired data.
Among the remote sensing techniques that can be used in engineering geology and geomorphology studies, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry is a powerful tool for periodic remote monitoring of both ground movement and the stability of structures and infrastructure. The availability of low-cost optical and multispectral sensors mounted on UAVs and the recent introduction of highly automated processing systems based on the structure from motion (SfM) approach make it possible to easily obtain three-dimensional information from images. A critical issue for UAV applications is the proper management and calibration of sensors, as well as the robustness of the data processing algorithms.
The purpose of this Special Issue is to present new research advances on the applications of UAV photogrammetry for the characterization and monitoring of ground and structure/infrastructures, with special reference to their digital modeling. All kinds of innovative applications of UAVs to geo-engineering issues are therefore welcome. We expect contributions focusing on different aspects in this field, both algorithmic and methodological. More specifically, studies and applications on the potential of UAV data to produce three-dimensional models useful for analysis (from morphometric studies to deformation analysis) and verification of complex structures/infrastructures will be especially welcome.
We invite you to submit articles about your recent researches on the application of UAVs, which include but are not limited to the following:
- UAVs for hazard damage assessment
- UAV image processing and applications
- UAV algorithm development, automation, implementation, and validation
- UAV for monitoring and modeling natural hazards
- UAV for monitoring and modeling civil structures/infrastructures (dams, bridges, viaducts, tunnels, etc.)
Prof. Dr. Margherita Fiani
Prof. Dr. Maurizio Barbarella
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
- geohazards
- geological engineering
- geomorphology
- geomorphometry
- analytical methods and algorithms
- digital terrain modeling (DTM)
- structure from motion (SfM)
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