Stability analysis of skyscrapers in the Netherlands using coherent stacking interferometry

M-GEO
M-SE
ACQUAL
Staff Involved
M-SE Core knowledge areas
Spatial Information Science (SIS)
Additional Remarks

The MATLAB codes for the most parts of the proposed framework are available, however the candidate student is expected to be able to use and adapt them in Linux environment.

Topic description

For a skyscraper to be stable, it must be built on a strong foundation. However, several factors such as persistent use, aging and deterioration, etc. can impair its safety and lead to human casualties and economic damage. To prevent from such problems, the stability and safety of skyscrapers should be consecutively monitored over the time in order to detect the possible deformation of the urban constructions. Stability analysis of tall buildings is a huge subject which requires years of active study in order to attain a relatively complete understanding. Among different tools, SAR Interferometry has potential accuracy at millimeter level of precision to detect deformation. This accuracy is comparable to the accuracy of existing terrestrial and in-situ measurement techniques, such as leveling approaches. However, the revisit period and the involved costs are unique for the interferometric technique, which make this technique an efficient and beneficial tool to assess stability of urban constructions from space.
This study aims to use advanced interferometric technique to assess the stability of New Orleans skyscraper in Rotterdam using a novel interferometric technique.

 

Topic objectives and methodology

In 2D SAR images the backscattering from ground, façade, roof are superimposed in to a single pixel due to layover issue. This work attempts to implement a new interferometric technique that is able to resolve the layover issue and assess the stability of entire building. The idea is to detect scatterers or clouds of 3D points over building, where each point is represented with specific information of 1) latitude, 2) longitude, 3) elevation, and also 4) deformation at millimeter level of precision. The schematic example of the outcomes of this project is shown in the above figure.
Sentinel-1A data sets will preferably be used for the experimental assessment. Moreover, for the implementation, the data should be processed with SNAP software and the available MATLAB codes.
 

References for further reading

Aghababaei, Hossein. "On the Assessment of Non-Local Multi-Looking in Detection of Persistent Scatterers Using SAR Tomography." Remote Sensing 12, no. 19 (2020): 3195.