Motivation

The i2MON project, approved under the HORIZON2020 RFCS funding program, combines the activities of ten European institutions, all leaders in research. The aim is to detect deformations of the earth’s surface caused by mining activities by using monitoring techniques, to model these deformations with efficient techniques, and to be able to reliably predict them.

Activities

The i3mainz has examined the possibilities and limits of areal deformation measurements using terrestrial laser scanning as part of numerous dissertations and project papers. The aim of the projects was to initiate a paradigm shift for geodetic monitoring – away from the tachymetric measurement of a few individual points with single prisms mounted on the object, and towards areal measurement of several million points directly on the object surface.

First, a long-range laser scanner was purchased and examined to determine its performance and suitability for the intended targets. Both at the Loreley and directly in Mainz, the refraction influence of different heights above water surfaces was determined by measurements over the Rhine. The specially developed sand model of an open-pit mine enabled the simulation of various landslide scenarios and the testing of different algorithms and modeling approaches.

DMT GmbH & Co. KG has performed numerous measurement surveys since the start of the project in different areas, such as open-pit mines, and in low and high mountain ranges. Until the project is completed, the i3mainz will focus on the evaluation of this data, among other things.