Monitoring Building Deformation with InSAR: Experiments and Validation.

Kui Yang,Zhengpeng Wu,Li Yan,Chu Chen,Guoman Huang

doi:10.3390/s16122182

Kui Yang, Zhengpeng Wu + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/s16122182

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Abstract

Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry (InSAR) techniques are increasingly applied for monitoring land subsidence. The advantages of InSAR include high accuracy and the ability to cover large areas; nevertheless, research validating the use of InSAR on building deformation is limited. In this paper, we test the monitoring capability of the InSAR in experiments using two landmark buildings; the Bohai Building and the China Theater, located in Tianjin, China. They were selected as real examples to compare InSAR and leveling approaches for building deformation. Ten TerraSAR-X images spanning half a year were used in Permanent Scatterer InSAR processing. These extracted InSAR results were processed considering the diversity in both direction and spatial distribution, and were compared with true leveling values in both Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression and measurement of error analyses. The detailed experimental results for the Bohai Building and the China Theater showed a high correlation between InSAR results and the leveling values. At the same time, the two Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) indexes had values of approximately 1 mm. These analyses show that a millimeter level of accuracy can be achieved by means of InSAR technique when measuring building deformation. We discuss the differences in accuracy between OLS regression and measurement of error analyses, and compare the accuracy index of leveling in order to propose InSAR accuracy levels appropriate for monitoring buildings deformation. After assessing the advantages and limitations of InSAR techniques in monitoring buildings, further applications are evaluated.

Highlights

Building deformation has become one of the most important threats to property and lives in many cities worldwide
The two Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) indexes had values of approximately 1 mm. These analyses show that a millimeter level of accuracy can be achieved by means of InSAR technique when measuring building deformation
To Method quantitatively demonstrate the millimeter accuracy of InSAR in practical building applications, both Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression analysis from a viewpoint of

Summary

Introduction

Building deformation has become one of the most important threats to property and lives in many cities worldwide. There are many active landslides in Europe that cause deformation of buildings, resulting in severe damage [1,2,3,4,5]. In China, along with rapid economic development, construction of underground projects such as subways and foundation pits are increasing and are the main factors behind building deformation [6]. Monitoring the stability of buildings is becoming fundamental for prevention of accidents. Until now, leveling measurement was the conventional method for monitoring building deformation. By establishing leveling points on buildings, and through precise, repeated observations, this technique can directly measure building motion directly at high accuracy [7].

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