Abstract
The use of a terrestrial laser scanner is examined to measure the changes of rock slopes subject to a wave attack test. Real scenarios are simulated in a water flume facility using a wave attack experiment representing a storm of 3000 waves. The stability of two rock slopes of different steepness was evaluated under the set conditions. For quantification of the changes of the slopes after the wave attack test, terrestrial laser scanning was used to acquire dense 3D point cloud data sampling for slope geometries before and after the wave attack experiment. After registration of the two scans, representing situations before and after the wave attack, the cloud-to-cloud distance was determined to identify areas in the slopes that were affected. Then, a range image technique was introduced to generate a raster image to facilitate a change analysis. Using these raster images, volume change was estimated as well. The results indicate that the area around the artificial coast line is most strongly affected by wave attacks. Another interesting phenomenon considers the change in transport direction of the rocks between the two slopes: from seaward transport for the steeper slope to landward transport for the milder slope. Using the range image technique, the work in this article shows that terrestrial laser scanning is an effective and feasible method for change analysis of long and narrow rock slopes.
Highlights
The protection of coastal zones is fundamental to the effective operation of local socioeconomic activities, especially in the Netherlands, a lowland country with significant coast length
The methodology proposed is an efficient and precise means of detecting changes from rock slopes using dense terrestrial laser scanning point clouds, providing a new way to evaluate the erosion of rock slopes to wave attack in coastal engineering
The estimation of erosion or dilation is a new possibility with the range image technique due to its large spatial resolution
Summary
The protection of coastal zones is fundamental to the effective operation of local socioeconomic activities, especially in the Netherlands, a lowland country with significant coast length. With the rapid erosion of coastal structures, demand for natural rocks has increased around the world [9]. The abilities and limitations using dynamic stability formulas for breakwater profile change under random waves was obtained using the experimental data [13]. These older tests typically used a mechanic profiler to obtain approximately 10 transects of the profile development and, thereby, did not capture the full redistribution of bed material. The rates and mechanisms of changes in rock slopes were examined by distinct element computer modeling using field and laboratory data [14]. A detailed structural analysis was performed by a digital elevation model using COLTOP-3D software for rock slope relief [15]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call