This document presents a feasibility study on using augmented reality for geotechnical site inspections. It analyzes current inspection methods, designs an augmented reality app prototype for embankment inspections, and evaluates the app through testing on a 3D printed scale model. The study found that augmented reality shows potential but further research is needed to develop the technology for geotechnical applications.

1. Feasibility Study Of Using
Augmented Reality In Geotechnical
Site Inspection
ALBA RODRÍGUEZ PIEDRABUENA
Bachelor in Civil Engineering
12th July 2021
Tutors:
Francisco Javier Mora, Felipe Muñoz La Rivera

2. Content
❑ INTRODUCTION
 MOTIVATION
 OBJECTIVES
 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
 CURRENT SITUATION
❑ DESIGN OF THE SOLUTION
❑ DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROTOTYPE
❑ EVALUATION
❑ CONCLUSIONS
❑FUTURE RESEARCH LINES

3. Introduction
MOTIVATION
• Importance of geotechnics in construction.
• Foreseen failures cannot be avoided → derive to geotechnical problems.
• To prevent and manage the risks, geotechnical inspections and studies still use
traditional tools.
• New paradigm of Construction 4.0
• Importance and growing of emergent technologies
INTRODUCTION DESIGN DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION CONCLUSIONS
focused on
geotechnics
3

4. General objective
Study the
embankment’s
current
inspections
Analyse the
geotechnical
engineer work
in this area
Design and
implement an
augmented reality
system for
embankments
inspections
Validate the
elaborated tool
through a 3D
scale model
made with 3D
printing
Specific objectives
Elaborate the
embankment
geometry using
Rocscience
software
Understand
the application
of emergent
technologies
are applied in
geotechnics
Introduction
OBJECTIVES
INTRODUCTION DESIGN DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION CONCLUSIONS 4
1)
2)
3)
4)
5) 6)
Create an
augmented
reality app for
geotechnical
applications by
means of testing
it in a 3D printed
scale model

5. Understand the
application of
emergent
technologies
in geotechnics
General objective
Study the
current
inspections Analyse the
geotechnical
engineer work
Design and
implement an
augmented
reality system
Validate the
elaborated tool
through a 3D
printed scale
model
Specific objectives
Elaborate the
embankment
geometry
Introduction
OBJECTIVES
INTRODUCTION DESIGN DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION CONCLUSIONS 5
1)
2)
3)
4)
5) 6)
Create an
augmented
reality app for
geotechnical
applications by
means of testing
it in a 3D printed
scale model

6. Understand the
application of
emergent
technologies
in geotechnics
General objective
Study the
current
inspections Analyse the
geotechnical
engineer work
Design and
implement an
augmented
reality system
Validate the
elaborated tool
through a 3D
printed scale
model
Specific objectives
Elaborate the
embankment
geometry
Introduction
OBJECTIVES
INTRODUCTION DESIGN DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION CONCLUSIONS 6
1)
2)
3)
4)
5) 6)
Create an
augmented
reality app for
geotechnical
applications by
means of testing
it in a 3D printed
scale model

7. Understand the
application of
emergent
technologies
in geotechnics
General objective
Study the
current
inspections Analyse the
geotechnical
engineer work
Design and
implement an
augmented
reality system
Validate the
elaborated tool
through a 3D
printed scale
model
Specific objectives
Elaborate the
embankment
geometry
Introduction
OBJECTIVES
INTRODUCTION DESIGN DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION CONCLUSIONS 7
1)
2)
3)
4)
5) 6)
Create an
augmented
reality app for
geotechnical
applications by
means of testing
it in a 3D printed
scale model

8. Understand the
application of
emergent
technologies
in geotechnics
General objective
Study the
current
inspections Analyse the
geotechnical
engineer work
Design and
implement an
augmented
reality system
Validate the
elaborated tool
through a 3D
printed scale
model
Specific objectives
Elaborate the
embankment
geometry
Introduction
OBJECTIVES
INTRODUCTION DESIGN DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION CONCLUSIONS 8
1)
2)
3)
4)
5) 6)
Create an
augmented
reality app for
geotechnical
applications by
means of testing
it in a 3D printed
scale model

9. Understand the
application of
emergent
technologies
in geotechnics
Elaborate the
embankment
geometry
General objective
Study the
current
inspections Analyse the
geotechnical
engineer work
Design and
implement an
augmented
reality system
Validate the
elaborated tool
through a 3D
printed scale
model
Specific objectives
Introduction
OBJECTIVES
INTRODUCTION DESIGN DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION CONCLUSIONS 9
1)
2)
3)
4)
5) 6)
Create an
augmented
reality app for
geotechnical
applications by
means of testing
it in a 3D printed
scale model

10. Elaborate the
embankment
geometry
Understand the
application of
emergent
technologies
in geotechnics
General objective
Study the
current
inspections Analyse the
geotechnical
engineer work
Design and
implement an
augmented
reality system
Validate the
elaborated tool
through a 3D
printed scale
model
Specific objectives
Introduction
OBJECTIVES
INTRODUCTION DESIGN DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION CONCLUSIONS 10
1)
2)
3)
4)
5) 6)
Create an
augmented
reality app for
geotechnical
applications by
means of testing
it in a 3D printed
scale model

11. METHODOLOGY
• The methodology for the investigation follows the 5 stages nominal process sequence
described in the document Design Science Research Methodology - DSRM
INTRODUCTION DESIGN DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION CONCLUSIONS
PROBLEM
IDENTIFICATION
&
MOTIVATION
OBJECTIVES OF
A SOLUTION
DESIGN AND
DEVELOPMENT
DEMONSTRATION
EVALUATION
Process iteration
Introduction
11

12. INTRODUCTION DESIGN DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION CONCLUSIONS 12
CURRENT SITUATION – LANDSLIDES
Landslides:
➢ The most widespread geological event (WHO)
➢ Characterised by fast movements of masses
down a slope.

13. CURRENT SITUATION - INSPECTION LANDSLIDES
INTRODUCTION DESIGN DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION CONCLUSIONS
• First steps in the investigation is field observation.
FEATURES ON THE GROUND SURFACE
• There are some indicators that could show a future landslide.
• Regular performance of visual inspections is required → there are no stablished
procedures for the inspection of embankments.
• Except for the embankment dams.
13

14. INTRODUCTION DESIGN DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION CONCLUSIONS 14
BASED ON OBSERVATION

15. CURRENT SITUATION - INSPECTION LANDSLIDES
• Other surveying techniques: remote sensing investigation techniques.
INTRODUCTION DESIGN DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION CONCLUSIONS
LiDAR Photogrammetry
Global Positioning System (GPS) Drones
15

16. CURRENT SITUATION – EMERGENT TECHNOLOGIES
• The use of Augmented reality in geotechnics is still in the early stages of development but it
has shown to be a potentially useful visualization tool for the AEC Industry.
ENCOURAGEMENT OF DESIGNING NEW AR TOOLS
INTRODUCTION DESIGN DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION CONCLUSIONS 16

17. CURRENT SITUATION – EMERGENT TECHNOLOGIES
• BIM aims to work in a common model in which all the stakeholders involved in its
creation can communicate and interact together simultaneously.
• BIM does not take into consideration the geotechnics dimension in any of the four
phases of the construction process.
INTRODUCTION DESIGN DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION CONCLUSIONS 17

18. JUSTIFICATION OF THE PROPOSAL
• The Engineering and Construction sector has been slow to adopt new technologies.
• Some changes are already taking place → The key is digitalisation.
• AR is not a mature technology yet → Difficulties
• There is a lack of routine standardisations
on how embankments are investigated.
• This app → display device of the
emergent technologies.
INTRODUCTION DESIGN DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION CONCLUSIONS
Design
18

19. REQUIREMENTS
INTRODUCTION DESIGN DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION CONCLUSIONS
Design
19
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS – AR app Objective Value
Quantifiers Weight app 50 MB
Precision 5 m
Usability 40 taps
Qualifiers Hardware Mobile / Tablet /
Computer
Software Unity , Vuforia /
ARCore, ARKit,
Slide3
Operating System Android / iOS /
Windows

20. PROPOSED
TOOL
INTRODUCTION DESIGN DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION CONCLUSIONS 20

21. Development
INTRODUCTION DESIGN DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION CONCLUSIONS 21
PROJECT
DOCUMENTATION
ROCSCIENCE
SLIDE 3
UNITY 3D
VUFORIA
MICROSOFT
VISUAL
STUDIO
GOOGLE
FORMS
FINAL REPORT
Geometry of the terrain
Information of the
current landslide
inspections
Creation of the 3D
model geometry
Creation of the
scenes and menus
Creation of the AR
aspect of the app

22. Development
INTRODUCTION DESIGN DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION CONCLUSIONS 22
IMAGE TARGETS
Virtual Model Measure

23. Development
INTRODUCTION DESIGN DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION CONCLUSIONS 23
PROJECT
DOCUMENTATION
ROCSCIENCE
SLIDE 3
UNITY 3D
VUFORIA
MICROSOFT
VISUAL
STUDIO
GOOGLE
FORMS
FINAL REPORT
Geometry of the terrain
Information of the
current landslide
inspections
Creation of the 3D
model geometry
Creation of the
scenes and menus
Creation of the AR
aspect of the app
Programming of
the behaviour of
the elements (C#)
Creation of the
final form
App for the electronic
device

24. Evaluation – Development of the experiment
1) CREATION OF THE GEOMETRY 2) 3D PRINTING
INTRODUCTION DESIGN DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION CONCLUSIONS
ORIGINAL
FINAL
24

25. Evaluation
• According to the Key Performance Indicators (KPI) in order to achieve the best
performance of the proposed app.
INTRODUCTION DESIGN DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION CONCLUSIONS
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS – AR app Objective Value Current Value
Quantifiers Weight app 50 MB 31.4 MB
Precision 5 m 3.3 m
Usability 40 taps 37 taps
Qualifiers Hardware Mobile / Tablet /
Computer
Mobile /
Computer
Software Unity , Vuforia /
ARCore, ARKit,
Slide3
Unity,
Vuforia,
Slide3
Operating System Android / iOS /
Windows
Android
25

26. Evaluation
FUNCTIONALITY
Three-dimensionality of the model: scale, position, rotation…
Measurements of lengths
Measurement of angles
INTRODUCTION DESIGN DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION CONCLUSIONS 26

27. Evaluation
OBSERVATIONS
ALBA: Time to create the app: 3 months (including design of geometry, its importation…)
COMPANY: Time to create the app: 2-3 weeks
Who can use it? Low to high skill professional Who can create it? Technician
Type of learning curve to create it:
Cost: Rocscience & Unity (Payment/Student Licence) & SDKs (Free)
INTRODUCTION DESIGN DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION CONCLUSIONS 27
Ability
Time

28. Evaluation
INTRODUCTION DESIGN DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION CONCLUSIONS
PROPOSED TOOL
28
1
3
2
4

29. Evaluation
INTRODUCTION DESIGN DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION CONCLUSIONS
PROPOSED TOOL
29
5
7
6

30. Conclusions
• Emergent technologies in the geotechnical study field are still at its early stages and
further research of their development is needed.
• Difficult and challenging process due to the lack of knowledge of the used softwares.
• Due to the SDK Vuforia, one function of the app could not be done because of the use of
Image Targets.
• More visual inspections should be carried out in order to detect the indicators that
could lead to future landslides.
• Combination of AR + 3D printing could provide solutions for the future of geotechnical
and geological inspections.
INTRODUCTION DESIGN DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION CONCLUSIONS 30

31. Future Research Lines
• Augmented Reality opens the door to digital assets and devices
provide more interoperability of other digital tools such as Artificial
Intelligence (AI) and Finite Element Methods (FEM)
this could enable the Geotechnics Dimension in BIM
• SDK that uses ground plane detection for a better performance of the app.
INTRODUCTION DESIGN DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION CONCLUSIONS 31

32. Feasibility Study Of Using
Augmented Reality In Geotechnical
Site Inspection
ALBA RODRÍGUEZ PIEDRABUENA
Bachelor in Civil Engineering
12th July 2021
Tutors:
Francisco Javier Mora, Felipe Muñoz La Rivera