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Defence and Space

Airbus Logo

Defence and Space

Airbus Logo

Defence and Space

Belgium, Flanders Satellite image from our radar constellation l Stripmap

TerraSAR-X Radar Data for Infrastructure Monitoring x TRE ALTAMIRA in Flanders, Belgium

Bridge Monitoring using InSAR (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar) analysis over Flanders, Belgium

Belgium, Flanders Satellite image from our radar constellation l Stripmap

Belgium, Flanders, Airbus Radar Constellation

Challenge

Monitoring the structural integrity of bridges is an important topic which has come to attention in recent years due to structural failures of some European bridges. Additionally, the road infrastructure network is ageing as well.

Bridges are generally monitored in intervals of about 3-5 years, using photographic images, on-site inspections, and conventional survey measurements. However, this type of monitoring has certain limitations:

  • Inspection(s) and levelling are taken at different times, by different subjects
  • Lack of contextual information (maintenance work at the bridge, landslides, subsidence etc.)
  • Lack of continuous measurements (3-5 years) does not allow to precisely reconstruct the beginning of the onset of any deformation

Scope of this project was the continuous monitoring of bridge deformations in the region of Flanders, Belgium (a 3126 km² area from the south of Brussels to Antwerp)using Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) analysis, proving the added value compared to the current monitoring methods.

 

Our Solution

During the project period from June 2014 to March 2016, a significant number of bridges and their surroundings were analyzed by TRE ALTAMIRA.

In order to achieve a very high level of detail and best possible results, TRE ALTAMIRA used Airbus’ high precision Radar satellite TerraSAR-X (TSX) as input data source for their SqueeSAR® analysis (advanced algorithm for detection of surface displacement, developed by TRE ALTAMIRA allowing the monitoring of surface displacements in mm range).

More than 600 sites were monitored during the project period.

The comprehensive results included:

  • Full frame SqueeSAR® analysis (deformation rates)
  •  Monography for each bridge, incl. Deformation rate & profiles, Polygon analysis, Alerting system, Seasonality and Standard deviation
Airbus and TRE ALTAMIRA analysis of Flanders bridges

Flanders, Belgium ©Airbus DS 2024 and © TRE ALTAMIRA 2024

Airbus and TRE ALTAMIRA analysis of Flanders bridges

Flanders, Belgium ©Airbus DS 2024 and © TRE ALTAMIRA 2024

Benefits

InSAR's multi-scale capability allows for the analysis of vast areas, covering thousands of square kilometers and numerous infrastructures in a single processing operation, while offering the precision to assess the behavior of individual structures down to the millimeter level

Eric Henrion

Geospatial Solution Manager

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Organization involved

With more than 20 years of experience in satellite InSAR, TRE ALTAMIRA (TREA) is recognized as the world's leading provider of displacement monitoring services using satellite radar data.

They provide millimetric-precision ground displacement measurements and mapping solutions used to mitigate risk, optimize operations, and plan future activities. Their service benefits various market sectors, including mining, civil engineering, oil and gas, and geohazards.

Their satellite technology works without the use of any in-situ instrumentation and complements conventional survey methods. InSAR is a scalable technique used to analyze vast or small areas. 

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