Mapping Embankment Dam Geomorphology Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs): A Case Study of Bukit Kwong Dam, Kelantan, Malaysia

Abstract

Dam hazards impose huge risks to the community as well as infrastructures. Obtaining and comprehending terrain features through geomorphological mapping is vital for dam area as it enables prediction of potential future terrain changes. The utilization of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) has garnered significant interest in geological, geomorphological, and geotechnical studies owing to their capacity to acquire high-resolution data from challenging structures like dams. This paper aims to assess the geomorphology characteristics such as topography of the embankment dam located at Bukit Kwong Dam, Kelantan Malaysia by utilizing the photogrammetric immages acquired from UAV including Orthomosaic, Digital Surface Model (DSM) and points clouds using Structure from Motion (SfM) approach. An accuracy assessment for the generated DSM containing topography information was made to prove the reliability of the data. As a result, the millimetre uncertainty in the form of Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) was calculated approximately 8.04 mm and 0.33 mm for both horizontal and vertical accuracy respectively. The results demonstrate a high level of reliability to ensure the accuracy of future works such as hazards prediction in the dam area.