Integrated Assessment of Multidisciplinary Data for Geo-Structural Evaluations

摘要

Evaluation of large numbers of diverse structures can be necessary for dredging and remediation along the waterfront. For large remediation projects, dredging may be needed along miles of shorelines potentially impacting hundreds of structures. The complexity of evaluating potential impacts poses unique problems for geo-structural evaluation. Modern tools such as databases and geographical information systems (GIS) offer the opportunity to consolidate data in complex ways to permit contemporaneous assessment of data from diverse sources and of diverse types. This paper presents the development of both conventional databases and GIS databases that include diverse data including tabular and graphical data. Georeferenced graphical data such as digitized geologic maps, soil survey maps, digitized historical aerial photographs, digitized fire insurance maps, property boundary maps, and contemporary aerial imagery can be overlaid and evaluated together with digital and tabular data sets. In this example, 3-dimensional point clouds generated by LiDAR and high-resolution sonar mapping were also linked in a way that permitted spatial evaluation in the third dimension to enhance the plan view imagery. Structures were identified through digital assessment of the imagery, together with the point cloud measurements for field reconnaissance. Field reconnaissance data was collected digitally in the field and uploaded to a web-based GIS database. Critical parameters for evaluation including dimensions, condition, geotechnical conditions were initially assessed and over 350 structures were classified and evaluated for potential zone of influence within which structures would be influenced by dredging activities. This assessment served as the basis for planning detailed investigations and preliminary definition of safe dredging limits. This paper will discuss the process and tools utilized, as well as, the bases used in the assessment and lessons learned using this approach.