Automation of Deformation Monitoring Techniques and Integration with Prediction Modelling

In 1965, the Department of Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering (formerly, Department of Surveying Engineering) at the University of New Brunswick initiated a specialization in engineering and mining surveying at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. From the very beginning, a research program was initiated to develop new techniques and methods for high precision engineering and mining surveys including monitoring, modeling, and predicting structural and rock strata deformations in mines, tunnels, large dams, etc. The research program in deformation studies concentrated on 1) automation and integration of monitoring techniques, 2) development of methods for integrated analysis, modeling, and physical interpretation of structural and rock strata deformation using the finite element method (FEM). Significant progress has been made in both topics. The current trend in monitoring structural and ground deformations is to have fully automated, stand alone systems that can continuously collect and analyze the monitoring data. An ALERT Deformation Detection System (ALERT-DDS) is the latest development. The data are gathered, processed, and analyzed and alarms are generated in a fully automated mode. © 2010 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.