LiDAR’s role in advancing geological modelling and enhancing geotechnical design efficiency

Abstract

In Malaysia’s tropical climate region, dense vegetation and intense weathering processes obstruct the identification of geological features critical for modelling and geotechnical design. This study examines the capabilities and limitations of LiDAR technology in capturing terrain information in tropical climate regions, addressing challenges such as canopy cover and atmospheric conditions. By employing low-altitude flight missions below 100 meters with sufficient overlap, one can acquired 2 cm Ground Sample Distance (GSD) using UAV LiDAR. Manual and automated data classification was combined to enhance terrain determination. Simultaneously, the Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN) process improved terrain representation for Digital Surface Models (DSM) and Digital Terrain Models (DTM). The results revealed detailed geomorphological features, focusing on landslides, through a 3D terrain model. This method enhances geological hazard assessment by providing precise terrain cross-sections and accurate locations for geotechnical design mitigation. The study concludes that strategic data acquisition and processing methods are vital to overcome challenges posed by vegetation density and terrain complexity, maximizing LiDAR’s potential to enhance geological modelling and geotechnical design efficiency in tropical environments.