Uso de drones e smartphones na aquisição de dados estruturais geológicos

Abstract

Monitoring and structural analysis of rock slopes are fundamental steps in the assessment of geotechnical risks, especially in regions where instability may compromise the safety of communities and infrastructures. Traditionally, such analyses are conducted through direct field measurements using instruments such as the geological compass. However, recent advances in geotechnologies have enabled the adoption of alternative methods, such as drones and smartphones. These devices can acquire data that make it possible to generate three- dimensional point clouds. Such clouds can serve as a tool for the characterization of structural discontinuities in the studied objects. This study aimed to comparatively evaluate the applicability of drones and smartphones for acquiring structural data on slopes, using conventional compass measurements as a reference. The research was conducted on a rock slope located in the Uruburetama Massif, in the state of Ceará, and involved three main stages: field data acquisition, digital processing using specialized software (Agisoft Metashape, CloudCompare, and DIPS), and analysis of the processed data. The results showed that each method presents distinct advantages and limitations. The drone stood out for its speed and safety during surveying, as well as for providing comprehensive coverage of the outcrop, although it tended to overestimate the risk of planar instability. The smartphone, in turn, proved to be a low-cost alternative capable of acquiring larger volumes of data; however, significant noise and dispersion were observed in the results. Compass measurements remained the most reliable reference in the field, although limited to accessible regions of the slope. The comparative analysis revealed that digital methods enhance spatial representativeness but require caution regarding accuracy in defining fracture families and estimating kinematic risks. It was concluded that drones and smartphones hold great potential as complementary tools for the structural characterization of slopes, particularly in areas of difficult access or high risk. Nevertheless, they should not entirely replace traditional methods, but rather be integrated into hybrid approaches that combine technological efficiency with scientific rigor.