Application of GNSS Technique for Horizontal Monitoring of Dam Deformation: Case Study of Darbandikhan Lake

Abstract

Dams represent a critical engineering achievement in contemporary society, necessitating the monitoring and acquisition of analytical data to assess their state, forecast their performance, and provide early warnings for planned interventions and maintenance actions. Monitoring the structural integrity of dams is crucial for safeguarding public safety, especially in seismically active areas. The current paper aims to validate the use of the Global Navigation Satellite Systems for monitoring structural deformation of the Darbandikhan Dam from October 2020 to January 2025. This study assesses the efficacy of GNSS methodologies, specifically Static and Real Time Kinematic, for the horizontal monitoring of deformation at Darbandikhan Dam. A network of GNSS stations was created utilizing CHC and Hi-Target receivers. Measurements were analyzed using the Australian Online GPS Processing Service, the Online Positioning User Service, and CHCNAV Geomatics Office Software, and used to evaluate displacement. The results confirm that the GNSS-based static measurement technique has the best potential for precise structural monitoring and early warning systems, especially against the limitations of RTK and OPUS in certain environmental conditions.