Remote Sensing

Remote sensing (RS) observation provides the information about earth natural resources in spatial format. The remote sensing data has the advantage of covering large areas. From the analysis of image patterns present in the data, the required information in the field of civil engineering is derived. These patterns reflect the influence of the type of parent material, geological process undergone, the climatic, biotic, and physiographic environment and man’s activity. In the projects of civil engineering, remote sensing is important and crucial tools.

Site investigations and regional planning

Generally site investigation requires topographic and geologic consideration. For instance, for dam site investigation information on topography is required, and geological consideration comes in finding different soil and rock types. Slopes like river banks, terrace faces and valley wall has the consideration slopes leading down to and up from water crossing. The high spatial resolution satellite data with capability of stereo vision can make easy in finding the depth perception and also helps for the regional planning of large commercial airports, harbors, and industrial towns.

Terrain mapping and analysis

By generating the Digital Terrain Model (DTM) in RS data, terrain information can be acquired. DTMs make easy to investigate the number of alternative horizontal and vertical alignments of canals, roads, pipelines, or corridors for any applications. The knowledge of material including the terrain is very important, for proper planning, location, construction, and maintenance of engineering facilities in engineering constructions of dam.

Town planning and development

Growth of urbanization in India has provided increase to problems of housing, sanitation, power, water supply, and environmental pollution. Efficient mapping and cyclic monitoring of town land use is therefore essential for proper planning, management and policy making with the help of RS for the development and management of urban settlements can be prepared.

Transportations network analysis

With the help of high spatial resolution data, road mapping and rail network is well accomplished. Even this make easy to deciding optimal routing for transport of construction materials. And moreover village roads also can be identified in certain cases.

Landslide Studies

The most commonly recurring hazards in the mountain areas are landslides, and causing huge loss of life, property and even death every year. This parameter that contributes either directly or indirectly includes litho logy and structure, landform, slope, aspect, relief, vegetation cover, climatic and human activities. By using RS, information on these aspects can be gathered and included for preparing a landside hazard zone map.

Questions:

• Explain remote sensing?
• What is Landside Hazards?