Laser rangefinder monitoring of hydro-technical utility positions (the case of Ust-Kamenogorsk shipping lock)

A laser rangefinder system for monitoring Ust-Kamenogorsk shipping lock’s wall deviations caused by seasonal thermal deformations and dynamic loads related to the lock filling/emptying is described, as well as the results of 8.5-year observations. The Ust-Kamenogorsk shipping lock has a high-head single-lift chamber 47 m in depth. A trend toward a decrease in the chamber width with a rate of ~2.2 mm/year in the upper part of the lock is ascertained. The effect of the chamber filling/emptying on the dynamics of wall deviations is studied.