Comparison between Two New Ground-Based Remote Sensing Techniques for Rock Mass Characterization

The convergence of advanced remote sensing technologies and analytical methodologies holds significant promise for bolstering the safety and sustainability of infrastructure development in geotechnical engineering. Rock mass characterization is a fundamental step for any rock-engineering project. However, surveying discontinuities in the rock masses is usually challenging and can be biased. This paper introduces novel approaches to leveraging remote sensing technology to analyze rock outcrops and rock slope cuts precisely. It delves into the specifics of two distinct portable techniques, metrology-grade laser scanner and SLAM-based laser scanner technology, and their respective efficacy in capturing engineering geological features, such as rock quality designation, discontinuity spacing, aperture, and surface roughness. The findings underscore the metrology-grade laser scanner’s superior ability to capture precise geological features compared to SLAM-based technology, which faces challenges related to uneven point distribution. While the metrology-grade laser scanner facilitates detailed analysis and accurate measurement at smaller scales, SLAM-based technology allows for swift data acquisition over larger areas with reduced processing time. A case study from Archer Point in British Columbia is presented to exemplify the practical implementation of these techniques.