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Bounding Box and Leakiness Ratio Analysis for 3D Leaky Dam Point Clouds [software] Open Access

This MATLAB-based workflow provides an integrated two-stage method for quantifying leakiness ratios, structural displacement, and debris accumulation (blockage) in leaky dam structures using photogrammetric 3D point cloud data. The process is designed to facilitate advanced monitoring, performance evaluation, and maintenance scheduling of leaky dams within Natural Flood Management (NFM) catchments. In Stage 1, the interactiveBoundingBox() function allows users to manually define, adjust, and export a 3D bounding box around a leaky dam point cloud (imported from a .obj file). The bounding box serves as a consistent spatial reference for subsequent analyses. Parameters including box position (x, y, z), dimensions (dx, dy, dz), and rotation (rx, ry, rz) are interactively modified via a user interface and saved in a bounding_box_params.mat file for downstream use. In Stage 2, the corresponding analysis script loads the bounding box parameters and the same dam point cloud to calculate the blockage ratio—the proportion of points lying within the defined spatial limits, representing the fraction of the dam’s cross-section effectively obstructed by material. The leakiness ratio (1−blockage ratio) is also calculated, representing the proportion of open space that allows water to pass through the structure. This simple metric provides a direct, geometry-based quantification of flow permeability through leaky dams and enables consistent comparison across designs and configurations. This approach aligns with methods described in recent NFM literature, which assess the relative area of a barrier that remains open to flow. Here, 3D scans of dams are first generated using photogrammetry software (e.g., Scaniverse). The identical-sized bounding box defined in Stage 1 standardises cross-sectional comparisons across dam types and sites. By projecting enclosed points onto a 2D plane representing the upstream-facing dam surface, the workflow allows users to infer the degree of in-channel storage and structural porosity. The analysis can be extended across multiple temporal datasets (e.g., baseline, 6 months, 12 months) to track changes in leakiness ratio and centroid displacement through time. These metrics are used to evaluate debris build-up, detect potential dam movement or failure risk, and generate maintenance recommendations based on defined blockage growth thresholds (e.g., > 30 % debris increase). Visual outputs include 3D point cloud visualisations highlighting blocked and open areas, time-series plots of blockage and leakiness ratios, and centroid drift diagrams for assessing structural stability. Together, these tools provide a reproducible, quantitative framework for assessing leaky dam structure and performance, structural integrity, and hydrological effectiveness through time using repeat 3D photogrammetry surveys that can be undertaken on a smartphone.

Descriptions

Resource type

Software

Contributors

Creator: Jones, Anthony D. ¹

¹ Durham University, UK

Funder

Natural Environment Research Council

Research methods

Data analysis was performed through a two-stage process: (1) 3D point clouds of leaky dam structures were generated from photogrammetry surveys using Scaniverse and imported into MATLAB R2023a. The interactiveBoundingBox() tool was then used to define and export a consistent bounding box around each dam, establishing a spatial frame for subsequent analysis. (2) The bounding box parameters were applied within the blockage and leakiness analysis script to calculate the proportion of point cloud data enclosed within the defined volume. From this, the blockage ratio and complementary leakiness ratio were computed. Results were subsequently reviewed and validated by visual inspection of 3D plots to ensure accurate bounding alignment and representation of dam geometry. Temporal datasets (e.g., baseline, 6-month, 12-month) were processed in the same framework to quantify debris accumulation, structural displacement, and changes in effective leakiness over time.

Other description

Funded by NERC via an IAPETUS2 PhD studentship held by Anthony Jones

Keyword

Natural Flood Management

Subject

Natural Flood Management
Floods
Leaky Dams

Location

Language

English

Cited in

Identifier

ark:/32150/r18336h196k
doi:10.15128/r18336h196k

Rights

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY)

Publisher

Durham University

Date Created

May 2025

File Details

Depositor

A.D. Jones

Date Uploaded

13 October 2025, 14:10:57

Date Modified

14 October 2025, 13:10:57

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Characterization

File format: zip (ZIP Format)

Mime type: application/zip

File size: 99413

Last modified: 2025:10:14 12:29:33+01:00

Filename: Bounding Box and Leakiness Ratio Analysis for 3D Leaky Dam Point Clouds.zip

Original checksum: 00c456ea5f7f0c4230dc13d0b8f02b0e