Archived
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Location
Lexington, Kentucky
Start Date
6-5-2026 9:00 AM
End Date
6-5-2026 9:30 AM
Description
Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) is a satellite-based radar system that uses electromagnetic pulses and advanced post-processing software to detect ground subsidence across large areas with millimetric precision. This paper has two primary objectives: (1) to outline the advantages and limitations of InSAR and (2) to present three specific use cases for InSAR in connection with coal combustion residual (CCR) pond closures. InSAR offers key advantages over traditional monitoring methods: remote monitoring without field intervention, full-surface coverage, all-weather and day/night operation, and high precision. InSAR also has limitations in connection with rapidly changing surface conditions, and the presence of water and/or vegetation. The three use cases, in no particular order, are: 1) monitoring subsidence during pond dewatering to identify the most unstable areas, 2) monitoring subsidence of entire cap structures for vertical integrity and 3) monitoring subsidence of embankments, dams, dikes, or slopes surrounding the pond. InSAR will be increasingly used for enhancing safety and verifying geotechnical stability in CCR closure projects. As more satellites are deployed, achievable readings frequencies will increase from weekly to daily. As more L-band measurements are used, the impact of vegetation will decrease, making InSAR an increasing viable technology in sites covered in vegetation.
Document Type
Presentation
Archival?
Archival
Included in
Energy Systems Commons, Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment Commons, Environmental Monitoring Commons, Mining Engineering Commons, Oil, Gas, and Energy Commons, Structural Materials Commons, Sustainability Commons
Three Use Cases for Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) for Coal Ash Combustion (CCR) Pond Closure Projects
Lexington, Kentucky
Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) is a satellite-based radar system that uses electromagnetic pulses and advanced post-processing software to detect ground subsidence across large areas with millimetric precision. This paper has two primary objectives: (1) to outline the advantages and limitations of InSAR and (2) to present three specific use cases for InSAR in connection with coal combustion residual (CCR) pond closures. InSAR offers key advantages over traditional monitoring methods: remote monitoring without field intervention, full-surface coverage, all-weather and day/night operation, and high precision. InSAR also has limitations in connection with rapidly changing surface conditions, and the presence of water and/or vegetation. The three use cases, in no particular order, are: 1) monitoring subsidence during pond dewatering to identify the most unstable areas, 2) monitoring subsidence of entire cap structures for vertical integrity and 3) monitoring subsidence of embankments, dams, dikes, or slopes surrounding the pond. InSAR will be increasingly used for enhancing safety and verifying geotechnical stability in CCR closure projects. As more satellites are deployed, achievable readings frequencies will increase from weekly to daily. As more L-band measurements are used, the impact of vegetation will decrease, making InSAR an increasing viable technology in sites covered in vegetation.
