Infrastructure & Utilities | Use cases

Mapping deformations using InSAR

Detect and prevent potential infrastructure risks using satellite interferometry (InSAR). Monitor in detail even the smallest displacements of the earth's surface and constructions over large areas anywhere in the world, and compare them with historical data. Integrating InSAR with traditional measurement methods gives you a powerful diagnostic tool to improve infrastructure planning and maintenance throughout the lifecycle of your facilities.

Roads and railways
Get actionable information to implement measures on time, save resources and limit potential negative impact.
  • Map errain deformations and slope instabilities on sites in early phases of construction – indicative and preliminary geotechnical survey. 
  • Increase the effectiveness of engineering and geological assessments 
  • Optimize the placement of probes, geophysical profiles and other geotechnical measuring elements in follow-up survey phases 
  • Compare risks across variants with respect to existing instabilities
  • Add temporal context to your existing monitoring network with InSAR measurements. 
  • Observe the stability of surrounding slopes, substrates and objects during construction and under operation
  • Identify hotspots for road and rail embankment deformations using blanket observations of long stretches, or targeted monitoring of hard-to-reach points. 
  • Factor in existing deformations when setting maintenance and reconstruction priorities

We use our own InSAR process workflow for retrospective analysis and proactive monitoring of deformations in infrastructure and its vicinity to build an early warning system. We calibrate warning reports with customers and our results complement standard geodetic measurements from manometers, inclinometers and meteorological data at all stages of geotechnical surveys. For pinpoint determination of displacement vectors, we monitor areas from multiple directions – satellite orbits. If necessary, we design a network of artificial corner reflectors to be installed on-site attached to buildings or placed in the surrounding area.

Tunnels and undermining
Assess structural stability before starting construction, and monitor building stability during the boring of tunnels in urban areas.
  • Obtain a stability passport prior to construction to aid in the resolution of possible disputes

  • Check surface infrastructure and building stability when boring tunnels in urban areas

  • Evaluate drainage impact on surface stability in all construction phases

  • View geotechnical risk profiles for constructions and planned development sites in undermined areas

  • Detect critical points in time, evaluate impact of potential damages and implement effective measures.

Large-scale mapping of terrain subsidence dynamics caused by undermining, decrease in mining, and tunnel boring. Using InSAR monitoring and TerraSAR-X / PAZ satellite system data allows us to effectively monitor changes with high precision – with accuracy in millimeters per year.

Detailed assessment of geotechnical risks in urban areas by evaluating the influence of differential subsidence for individual buildings using a high-density network of measured points.

Areas with a lower density of measured points or for more extensive subsidence basins, such as areas of planned development, geotechnical risks are evaluated in tension and compression bands.

 

Bridges
Monitor and compare bridge deformations in the long term for effective maintenance and early risk detection.
  • Accurately plot long-term movements of bridge segments, and detect minute anomalies and potential problems in time
  • Compare the course of deformation on individual expansion segments of the bridge deck or bridge parts
  • Identify terrain instabilities around bridge construction sites for a complex overview of potential external risks
  • Use long-term monitoring for early detection of problems and effective maintenance planning.

We carry out systematic feasibility assessments to monitor unwanted deformations around bridge structures and propose cost-effective solutions tailored to each bridge. Monitoring unwanted deformations is one of the most complex functions that InSAR can serve. This is done by detecting anomalous deformations in various bridge segments.

We use our own proprietary certified method of feasibility assessment that takes into account periodic temperature effects and separates normal courses of deformation. Our solution is continuously developed in cooperation with Austrian research organizations such as Joaneum Research, GeoSphere, and the Austrian Institute of Technology.

Dams
Monitor dams and reservoirs to detect instabilities, analyze the impact of deformations on water level, and optimize maintenance to prevent disasters.
  • Watch how dam and reservoir levee deformations form over time and identify potential issues with their stability and integrity
  • Monitor potentially dangerous slope instabilities around dams
  • Relate measured deformations to water level
  • Prevent disasters and optimize maintenance planning
  • Identify tailing embankment areas prone to landslides or other instabilities, and reduce the risk of failure.

Using satellite interferometry, we help you accurately identify dam and related infrastructure movements to identify areas with anomalous deformations, thereby detecting potential disasters and allowing you to correlate deformations with reservoir water level oscillations. For long levees with sparse vegetation cover, we use a long time series of measurements to effectively monitor and evaluate deformation dynamics.

Post-mining remediations
Monitor the stability and risk level of undermined areas, optimize recultivation and increase safety.
  • Ensure area stability and suitability for future development by monitoring terrain deformations in undermined and recultivated plots
  • Identify problem areas prone to landslides or other geological risks
  • Set priorities, target areas that need interventions the most, and evaluate the effectiveness of your measures.

Our InSAR mapping draws on satellite data reaching back to the 1990s to generate the longest possible time series.

Take advantage of proactive InSAR monitoring, which may include the use of artificial corner reflectors for continuous monitoring and re-calibration of forecasted development in your area of interest.

Retrospective InSAR mapping

Retrospective analysis of deformations and instabilities in your area of interest based on archived radar measurements.

Helps make sound geotechnical and engineering assessments of area stability in the construction preparation phase: preliminary or detailed geotechnical survey. Endorses a stability passport for the construction site before work begins.

Proactive InSAR monitoring

Real-time monitoring and assessment of developing instabilities using automated detection of changes from new radar measurements.

This allows early detection of deteriorating existing instabilities or the emergence of new ones in an area, as well as infrastructure deformations during construction or operation.

Choose how to get results

We deliver mapping and measurement results in your desired format and protocol: spatial data with temporal components, through the InSARviz online platform (interactive visualization tool for satellite SAR interferometry), via your API, or as a technical report with maps.

Artificial corner reflectors

Artificial corner reflectors allow InSAR measurements to be made in inaccessible areas where geography, vegetation or other factors hamper standard InSAR techniques.

Contact our expert

Jan Kolomazník

Product Owner

Case studies and references

Monitoring railway embankments to early detect potential failures

Customer: Railroad Administration
Country: Czechia

Monitoring construction of Metro line D in Prague

Customer: Prague Transport Commission
Country: Czechia

Using InSAR to support geotechnical survey for high-speed rail construction

Customer: Railway Administration
Country: Czechia

InSAR monitoring system for landslide-prone segment of D8 highway

Customer: Czech Road and Highway Directorate
Country: Czechia

Geotechnical prognosis of long-term dump consolidation

Customer: Undisclosed mine operators
Country: Czechia

Your customer journey

Defining Your Vision

We'll start by understanding your challenges and objectives. This involves pinpointing geographic areas, desired timeframes, and crucial insights. We'll then recommend optimal data, processing, and output formats to achieve your vision.

Expert Data Acquisition

Once your needs are clear, we'll select and acquire the most suitable Earth Observation (EO) data. We'll apply advanced processing techniques like MT InSAR, NDVI, or spectral analysis, to address specific requirements like change detection or ground deformation monitoring.

Transforming Data into Intelligence

Our team will analyze data to create impactful outputs tailored to you, like maps, reports, or graphs. Every deliverable undergoes rigorous quality checks to ensure technical accuracy and meet your expectations.

Seamless Delivery & Support

We'll provide results in your preferred format – via our online portal, printed outputs, or electronic delivery. We can also include a technical report to explain analysis details and key conclusions, empowering you with deeper understanding.

Empowering Your Team

If needed, we'll provide bespoke training to equip your personnel with the skills to effectively work with data and interpret results. Our aim is to build your in-house capacity and maximize the value of our solutions.