Technology and application of real-time compaction quality monitoring for earth-rockfill dam construction in deep narrow valley

Compaction quality is one of the most important aspects of the construction quality control of earth-rockfill dams. In recent years, real-time compaction quality monitoring technology based on a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) for earth-rockfill dams has realized effective control for earth-rockfill dam construction quality. However, many high earth-rockfill dams have been built in deep, narrow valleys, where the satellite signal is blocked by the tall, steep slopes such that the accuracy of the location is not satisfactory or that determining the location is fully impossible, thus seriously affecting the continuity and accuracy of real-time monitoring. The existing monitoring technology cannot meet the monitoring requirements in deep, narrow valleys. This paper establishes the theory and a mathematical model of real-time compaction quality monitoring in deep, narrow valleys and proposes a new method for real-time compaction quality monitoring based on positioning compensation technology (PCT), which combines GNSS and Robotic Total Station (RTS). An all-terrain and whole-process compaction quality monitoring of earth-rockfill dam construction is realized through this new method, making up for the shortcomings of the monitoring of the compaction process that relies solely on GNSS. Practical application shows that the method guarantees the objectivity and integrity of the real-time monitoring results, which ensures the compaction quality of earth-rockfill dam construction in deep, narrow valleys. •A mathematical model for real-time compaction quality monitoring is established.•RTS is introduced to the field of real-time compaction quality monitoring.•A positioning compensating technology (PCT) using combined GNSS/RTS operation is proposed.•This technology greatly improves the stability and integrity of the positioning process.•A real-time compaction quality monitoring system for deep, narrow valleys is developed.