Novel extensions of river flow measurements with images captured from a multi-copter using intelligent image analysis methods

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K06234
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Hydraulic engineering
• Research Institution: Kobe University
• Principal Investigator: Ichiro FUJITA 神戸大学, 工学研究科, 教授 (10127392)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 洪水流観測 / 粒度分布計測 / 知的画像処理 / STIV / STVV / マルチコプター / ドローン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We developed a sophisticated software that enables us to use information taken from a multicopter. In sediment environment survey, topographical change of a bar at a bend of the Ibo River between 2013 and 2015 was investigated using aerial photographs. In addition, spatial change of the particle size distribution at the bar was obtained successfully by image processing technique. Regarding the flow condition of the river surface flow, we developed an image stabilization program utilizing the latest algorithm for feature point detection, and showed that flow velocity distribution and flow rate can be estimated with sufficient accuracy by applying STIV. We also developed STVV that is an extension of STIV, which enables us to measure surface velocity distribution of a river reach of about 900m by simply taking aerial movies. Thus, we succeeded in developing a new technology for field measurements of a river.

Free Research Field

河川工学