Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU), NSF NHERI 2025: Depth Monitoring of Crack-Induced Erosion in Centrifuge Testing

This project focuses on monitoring crack-induced erosion in levees using centrifuge modeling and a low-cost RGB–D camera. The system captures continuous 3D data on crack widening, erosion depth, and volume loss, offering insights that traditional methods miss. The data can be reused to validate numerical models, compare monitoring techniques, and advance geotechnical research. Its uniqueness lies in providing real-time, nonintrusive 3D measurements in a centrifuge environment. The intended audience includes geotechnical researchers, levee engineers, and hazard mitigation specialists.