Fast-Track Modeling of the Landscape for Hydraulic Studies, Using Drones and Photogrammetry in Field Research

Hydraulic studies involve assumptions and uncertainties due to the complexity of physical systems. Variations in the soil and its properties, which affect the flow of water, contribute to these uncertainties. Techniques such as soil modeling by field research are used to constrain this parameter. Digital terrain models play a critical role in representing the surface, recording elevations and slope, which determines both the path and speed of water. An effective method to minimize uncertainty is to take successive images of the landscape by unmanned aerial vehicles, which with appropriate photogrammetric processing, can produce the3D terrain model in detail, with the materials and texture of the soil. These models offer a more accurate understanding of the area compared than field research and digital terrain models. By incorporating critical parameters such as terrain and channel roughness, engineers can calibrate the simulation of water movement on the ground. Consequently, the combination of digital soil models, water flow parameters and advanced simulation techniques optimizes the accuracy of hydraulic models