DEFOX® deformation analysis

The DEFOX deformation analysis is the ideal solution for cost-efficient, area-wide and long-term monitoring of instabilities in rock and ice. Fully automated deformation analysis based on the comparison of high-resolution images allows to detect displacements of a few centimeters quickly and easily.

Learn more:
⇒ Benefits and features
⇒ Application and reference projects
⇒ Technical data
⇒ Brochure deformation camera

Benefits and features

  • Cost-efficient monitoring solution with large area coverage
  • Automatic image selection and processing with sophisticated algorithms
  • Colour display of movements including direction of displacement 
  • Anytime access to all analyses and images via the Geopraevent online data portal
  • Access via PC, tablet or smartphone
  • Convenient image viewer with zoom option for detailed view of displacements
  • Velocity time series of selected areas
  • Automatic notification when critical velocity threshold has been exceeded
  • Flexible analysis interval (daily, weekly, seasonal)
  • Live view of the monitoring area with the possibility to take a high resolution picture manually at any time

Applications

The PROCam camera automatically takes pictures of the monitoring area several times a day and transmits the high-resolution images to the Geopraevent servers. A sophisticated algorithm selects the most suitable images for analysis in terms of weather and visibility as well as light/shadow and prepares them for the image processing process. A complex calculation process compares small image frames and determines their displacement within the image. The deformation image is a colour representation of where, how fast and in which direction these image fields have moved within the monitored area.

The deformation camera enables to detect qualitative changes in the movement of an area quickly and easily. The standard unit of displacement is pixel/day but conversion to m/day is also possible if a digital elevation model is available. Velocity time series for selected areas give an overview of long-term movements. Additionally, it is possible to sent automatic notifications when a predefined critical threshold value is exceeded (alert). Further, time series data can be used to predict impending collapses by analysing inverse velocities.

Authorized users can access all deformation analyses, high-resolution images and velocity time series at any time via the Geopraevent online data portal. A dedicated online image viewer offers the possibility to switch between different images in a zoomed state. This allows for convenient inspection of details via PC, tablet or smartphone.

⇒ More information & sample pictures

Reference projects

Geopraevent developed the optical deformation analysis in 2017 after several months of test operation parallel to the interferometric radar. The first deformation camera was applied for long-term monitoring of the Weissmies glacier in Saas-Grund and was very useful only a few months later: the deformation analysis facilitated early detection of accelerated areas of the hanging glacier. For exact and weather-independent monitoring, we additionally applied the interferometric radar shortly before the collapse. By doing so, we were able to predict the time of the collapse with an accuracy of hours.

 

Here is a selection of deformation camera customer projects:

Additional technologies

The following sensors or technologies are often combined or supplemented with the deformation camera:

Technical data

We offer three camera models of different resolutions and ranges. The HDR option can be used to further improve the image contrast and thus increase the area for evaluation.

 

Camera resolution: 20 – 24 Megapixel
HDR processing: no
Accuracy deformation analysis: < 2 cm/day (depending on distance and applied camera lens)
Range: 1000 m
Weight: 14 kg

Power consumption: max. 40 W
Power supply: mains electricity, solar cells
Software: deformation analysis, image selection algorithm, online data portal
Integration: online data portal, smartphone, tablet
Alarm: automatic alerting if a predefined threshold is exceeded
Installation: quick, few hours

Camera resolution: 42 Megapixel
HDR processing: no
Accuracy deformation analysis: < 3 cm/day (depending on distance and applied camera lens)
Range: 3000 m
Weight: 14.5 kg

Power consumption: max. 40 W
Power supply: mains electricity, solar cells
Software: deformation analysis, image selection algorithm, online data portal
Integration: online data portal, smartphone, tablet
Alarm: automatic alerting if a predefined threshold is exceeded
Installation: quick, few hours

Camera resolution: 42 Megapixel
HDR processing: integrated
Accuracy deformation analysis: < 3 cm/day (depending on distance and applied camera lens)
Range: 3000 m
Weight: 15 kg

Power consumption: max. 40 W
Power supply: mains electricity, solar cells
Software: deformation analysis, image selection algorithm, online data portal
Integration: online data portal, smartphone, tablet
Alarm: automatic alerting if a predefined threshold is exceeded
Installation: quick, few hours

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