ABSTRACT
Complex geotechnical processes such as debris or tailings flows, rain-induced landslides, foundation instability, and soil-structure interaction require advanced laboratory techniques, including remote-sensing technology. The purpose of this paper is to describe the implementation of a laboratory-scale LIDAR-type system installed on an environmental flume for geotechnical applications under 1-g conditions. A two-dimensional laser scanner device, which is commonly used in mining operations to measure conveyor-belt volumes, was adapted to move axially along the flume. The scanner measures cross-sectional elevation data on any physical model constructed in the flume to produce a digital elevation model. The flume is an instrumented chamber comprising sprinklers to simulate precipitation (controlled intensity and flow rate), a hydraulic system to induce rise in groundwater level, and a jack to vary model inclination, if required. A calibration protocol and post-processing code were developed to efficiently handle the scanner-recorded elevation data. To test and validate the experimental setup, tailings flow experiments were performed. Results show that laboratory-scale laser sensor technology is a useful and robust tool for physical modelling.
