Posters
Come meet the poster presenters to ask them questions and discuss their work
We would like to invite you to come and see the posters at our upcoming conference. The posters will showcase a diverse range of research topics, and will give delegates an opportunity to engage with the authors and learn more about their work. Whether you are a seasoned researcher or simply curious about the latest developments in your field, we believe that the posters will offer something of interest to everyone. So please join us at the conference and take advantage of this opportunity to learn and engage with your peers in the academic community. We look forward to seeing you there!
PO251: Integrating UAV and Land-Based Surveys to Characterise Submarine Cable Landfalls
Chris Brennan, Senior Geoscientist, Geo-4D
Abstract
A cable landfall is the onshore and intertidal area at which an submarine cable comes to shore, typically buried under sediment, ducted through bedrock or concealed in a cable protection system. Managing this engineering challenge is both costly and complex, therefore it is essential to thoroughly characterise the intertidal beach environment before installation and throughout its operational life to ensure the integrity of the cable. Evaluating the cost and risks associated with cable installation and maintenance demands the consideration of geological, anthropogenic, environmental and engineering factors. Consequently, a diverse range of surveying methods must be employed to achieve a comprehensive assessment. The emergence of advanced Unoccupied Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) capable of extensive flight capabilities while equipped with different payloads has made UAVs a viable option for conducting various surveying applications. A commonly applied technique, photogrammetry, allows for the collection of topographic data directly from aerial imagery collected over the survey area. Photogrammetry is limited in that it cannot penetrate water or vegetation, and so in some instances, more advanced LiDAR and echosounder payloads may be deployed as a solution to this. In instances where there is a need to locate pre-existing cables or unexploded ordnance (UXO) a magnetometer payload is equipped. However, for shallow geology assessments, traditional ground-based methods are still essential. UAVs can be outfitted with ground-penetrating radar payloads to provide insights into shallow geology. Nonetheless, boreholes, cone penetration tests, probes, and geophysical techniques remain unparalleled in offering comprehensive information about ground conditions. This abstract presents two case studies where a combination of these techniques has been deployed and integrated to achieve a thorough evaluation of cable landfall conditions.
