Development of an Underground Tunnels Detection Algorithm for Electrical Resistivity Tomography Based on Deep Learning

Abstract

Kinmen Island was in a state of combat readiness during the 1950s–1980s. It opened for tourism in 1992, when all troops withdrew from the island. Most military installations, such as bunkers, anti airborne piles, and underground tunnels, became deserted and disordered. The entries to numerous underground bunkers are closed or covered with weeds, creating dangerous spaces on the island. This study evaluates the feasibility of using Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) to detect and discuss the location, size, and depth of underground tunnels. In order to discuss the reliability of the 2D-ERT result, this study built a numerical model to validate the correctness of in situ measured data. In addition, this study employed the artificial intelligence deep learning technique for reprocessing and predicting the ERT image and discussed using an artificial intelligence deep learning algorithm to enhance the image resolution and interpretation. A total of three 2D-ERT survey lines were implemented in this study. The results indicate that the three survey lines clearly show the tunnel location and shape. The numerical simulation results also indicate that using 2D-ERT to survey underground tunnels is highly feasible. Moreover, according to a series of studies in Multilayer Perceptron of deep learning, using deep learning can clearly show the tunnel location and path and effectively enhance the interpretation ability and resolution for 2D-ERT measurement results.

Special Issue on Remote Sensing Applications in Archaeology, Geography, and the Earth Sciences

“…To address this concern, they introduced a method that combines edge detection and regional growing algorithms, improving the extraction of shoulder lines. Furthermore, passive remote sensing systems are inadequate for effectively observing certain landscape features such as the distribution of underground military tunnels [6]. The application of deep learning techniques proves advantageous in enhancing the interpretability and resolution of 2-D Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) data, enabling the clearer visualization of tunnel locations and paths.…”