Remotely operated vehicle-based methodology for the reduction of costs and operational delays associated with rock dredging for channel deepening

Abstract

Rock dredging for river channel deepening presents problems concerning the identification of whether the blasted rock is properly fragmented for the following operations and whether the excavation and disposal reach the determined project level. These issues lead to decision making that involves expensive equipment and vessel movement procedures that can result in an increase in costs and time. After characterizing and analyzing all underwater blasting and rock excavation procedures, a new methodology was developed to improve this process by applying a low-cost observation remotely operated vehicle. The tasks of the vehicle focus on monitoring and controlling some key procedures, improving the operating time and identifying operation fail points, in addition to helping to control the environmental impact. The proposed methodology was tested in São Paulo, Brazil, where the deepening of a river channel has been used to expand the waterway. The results of the tests show a 37% saving in time and a 32% saving in cost