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Developing an ArcGIS-based toolbox for automatic analysis of instrumentation data for engineering structures: case of embankment dam

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Abstract

The use of instrumentation in monitoring or evaluating geodynamic phenomena such as landslide, ground subsidence, earthquake, as well as engineering structures such as dams, foundations, deep excavations, landfills, tunnels and underground openings is widespread. The data of common instruments including piezometers, load/pressure cells, settlement-meters, extensometers, inclinometers, tiltmeters, etc. accumulates over time and forms a huge volume which, without having a proper database and application, causes many problems for users. Therefore, it is essential to create a database/application to store and analyze such periodic datasets in an integrated environment. ArcGIS as a good geospatial platform was used to store, retrieve, analyze, and visualize the instrumentation data. Being one of the most complex types of projects in terms of spatial arrangement of instruments, the embankment dam was chosen, the data of which was used to develop a geodatabase/application. For the purposes of this paper, a relational geodatabase is designed based on data from instruments installed in a dam in NW Iran. Then, a new Dam Data Analysis Application (DDAA) Toolbox was developed using ArcGIS ModelBuilder. DDAA provides valuable custom maps/charts in cross and longitudinal sections of the dam for parameters of pore-pressure, pore-pressure ratio, total stress, arching ratio, and displacement. Also, the toolbox was carefully evaluated and a complete correlation of observations with model-driven results was obtained. It is emphasized that the main purpose of this paper is to develop a geodatabase/application to manage instrumentation data rather than to analyze the behavior of a specific structure.

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Computer code availability

The developed DDAA application which is a Python-based ArcGIS toolbox and associated Python codes (generated by ArcGIS/ModelBuilder) for this paper are available in the following repository: https://github.com/2431834522/Toolbox.

Data availability

The developed DDAA application (Python-based ArcGIS toolbox and the associated codes) for this paper are available in the following repository: https://github.com/2431834522/Toolbox.However, connecting the existing database and tools to a WebGIS service is beyond the scope of this article and will be the authors' future goal.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge School of Earth Sciences, Damghan University, for all facilities during this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Earth Sciences, Damghan University, Damghan, Iran

    Motasem Hamidi, Ebrahim Rahimi & Ghasem Askari

  2. Department of Earth Sciences, College of Science, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

    Ebrahim Rahimi

Authors
  1. Motasem Hamidi
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  2. Ebrahim Rahimi
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Correspondence to Ebrahim Rahimi.

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Highlights

• The geodatabase provided by ArcGIS 10.5 is a powerful framework for storing and managing geotechnical instrumentation data of embankment dams.

• A robust Dam Data Analysis Application (DDAA) toolbox was developed for dam data processing, based on the ArcGIS ModelBuilder interface.

• The automatic processing of the pore pressure, total stress and displacement parameters at the Daryan Dam has been successfully completed using the DDAA toolbox.

• Validation of DDAA products shows that the tools developed are working satisfactorily.

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Hamidi, M., Rahimi, E. & Askari, G. Developing an ArcGIS-based toolbox for automatic analysis of instrumentation data for engineering structures: case of embankment dam. Bull Eng Geol Environ 82, 207 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-023-03219-y

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