Novel image analysis approach to the terrestrial LiDAR monitoring of damage in rubble mound breakwaters

Abstract Damage produced in the main armour of rubble mound breakwaters due to wave action is progressive and different steps can be defined the wave action is beginning, while the breakwaters is falling. It is necessary to know the damage evolution during the service life of the structure in order to evaluate maintenance activities and adequately manage the breakwater. New possibilities exist now with terrestrial LiDAR systems, which can quickly scan huge data sets with increased levels of spatial detail and resolution in a very efficient manner. In this paper, the performance of a Faro Focus 3D has been evaluated for detecting short-term changes in Cubipod armoured breakwater roundheads. The physical model tests were performed at the CITEEC facilities at the University of A Coruna, Spain. From these basic tests, terrestrial LiDAR has proved to be an accurate technique for damage monitoring in breakwaters. Further research is required to establish whether this approach is applicable to other LiDAR data sets and specifically for data acquired in real scale breakwaters.