Measuring sandy bottom dynamics by exployting depth from stereo video sequences

In this paper an imaging system for measuring sandy bottom dynamics is proposed. The system exploits stereo sequences and projected laser beams to build the 3D shape of the sandy bottom during time. The reconstruction is used by experts of the field to perform accurate measurements and analysis in the study of the final equilibrium conditions of sea bottoms in the presence of water flows. Results obtained by processing data acquired in hydraulic laboratory confirm the effectiveness of the system which makes simple and fast the understanding of the sandy bottom dynamics and the related equilibrium phenomena.