Use of unmanned aerial systems for assessing the dynamics of hazardous engineering and geocryological processes on linear facilities

¹ Technical Institute (branch) of the Ammosov Northeast Federal University, 678960, Neryungri, Russian Federation
² Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), 677007, Yakutsk, Russian Federation
³ Melnikov Permafrost Institute of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Science, 678907, Yakutsk, Russian Federation

^* Corresponding author: grib@nfygu.ru

Abstract

Linear engineering facilities, such as gas transportation systems, extend from 30 to 500 metres in width and several hundred kilometres in length. Such routes pass through areas characterized by sufficiently diverse engineering, geological, geocryological and seismotectonic conditions. The safe and reliable functioning of gas transportation systems is ensured by their regular monitoring to prevent the development of hazardous exogenous geological processes. In particular, when monitoring ice formation, the greatest efficiency can be achieved by using unmanned aerial vehicles for low-altitude aerial surveys. In this research, remote sensing methods based on unmanned technologies were applied to assess the aufeis hazard in a section of the Power of Siberia gas pipeline in South Yakutia. The authors’ successful experience of using unmanned systems during an aeromagnetic exploration of iron ore deposits in South Yakutia was also considered. A series of studies, including georadar and electrical exploration profiling, as well as thermal imaging and high-resolution aerial photography by an aerial complex, was conducted to assess the dynamics of ice development over time in the area under study and to establish the signs of a developing hazardous process.