Slope movements monitoring by satellite radar interferometry in the excavation of the Mont Cenis Base Tunnel

Multi-temporal satellite radar interferometry is based on the analysis of long series of SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) images acquired from a satellite platform over the same area at different times. The multiple time intervals permit to perform a back-analysis and a reconstruction of both historical and recent deformation scenarios. A first screening of the past deformations over the area of the Lyon-Turin railway line was carried out through the interferometric analysis of satellite radar data derived from images acquired by Sentinel-1 and COSMO-SkyMed sensors from October 2012 to October 2022. Results of the historical study are presented and cross-compared with ground measurements. Overall, these outcomes provided a complete overview of the deformation scenario of the areas and TELT decided to equip itself with this technology to monitor the slopes during the construction phase.