Towards non-invasive sediment monitoring using muography: A pilot run at the Shanghai Outer Ring Tunnel

K Kim Siang Khaw (Tsung-Dao Lee Institute and School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 1 , Shanghai 201210,) S Siew Yan Hoh (Tsung-Dao Lee Institute and School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 1 , Shanghai 201210,) T Tianqi Hu (Tsung-Dao Lee Institute and School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 1 , Shanghai 201210,) X Xingyun Huang J Jun Kai Ng (Tsung-Dao Lee Institute and School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 1 , Shanghai 201210,) Y Yusuke Takeuchi (Tsung-Dao Lee Institute and School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 1 , Shanghai 201210,) M Min Yang Tan (Tsung-Dao Lee Institute and School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 1 , Shanghai 201210,) J Jiangtao Wang Y Yinghe Wang (Tsung-Dao Lee Institute and School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 1 , Shanghai 201210,) G Guan Ming Wong (Tsung-Dao Lee Institute and School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 1 , Shanghai 201210,) M Mengjie Wu (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Institute of Physical Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Materials Science) N Ning Yan (Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering) Y Yonghao Zeng (Tsung-Dao Lee Institute and School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 1 , Shanghai 201210,) M Min Chen S Shunxi Gao (Shanghai Geological Engineering Exploration (Group) Co. Ltd 2 , Shanghai 200092,) L Lei Li Y Yujin Shi (Shanghai Geological Engineering Exploration (Group) Co. Ltd 2 , Shanghai 200092,) J Jie Tan (Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo and Biosensing, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering) Q Qinghua Wang S Siping Zeng S Shibin Yao (Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Planning and Natural Resources 3 , Shanghai 200001,) Y Yufu Zhang (Shanghai Chengtou Highway (Group) Co. Ltd 4 , Shanghai 200335,) G Gongliang Chen (Shanghai Surveying and Mapping Institute 5 , Shanghai 200063,) H Houwang Wang (Shanghai Surveying and Mapping Institute 5 , Shanghai 200063,) J Jinxin Lin Q Qing Zhan (Shanghai Institute of Natural Resources Survey and Utilization 6 , Shanghai 200040,)

Abstract

This study demonstrates the application of cosmic-ray muography as a non-invasive method for monitoring sediment accumulation and tidal influences in the Shanghai Outer Ring Tunnel, an immersed tube tunnel located beneath the Huangpu River in Shanghai, China. A portable, dual-layer plastic scintillator detector was deployed to conduct muon flux scans along the tunnel’s length and to continuously monitor muon flux, allowing for the study of tidal effects. Geant4 simulations validated the correlation between muon attenuation and overburden thickness, incorporating sediment, water, and concrete layers. Key findings include a strong anti-correlation between the measured muon flux and the water levels observed at a nearby tide gauge. The results align with geotechnical data and simulations, especially in the region of interest, confirming muography’s sensitivity to sediment dynamics. This work establishes muography as a robust tool for long-term, real-time monitoring of submerged infrastructure, offering significant advantages over conventional invasive techniques. The study underscores the potential for integrating muography into civil engineering practices to enhance safety and operational resilience in tidal environments.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 138, Issue 11
Published September 21, 2025
ISSN 0021-8979
Publisher American Institute of Physics

Journal Info

Journal of Applied Physics

American Institute of Physics

ISSN: 0021-8979 Physical Sciences

Authors (26)

K

Kim Siang Khaw

Tsung-Dao Lee Institute and School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 1 , Shanghai 201210,

S

Siew Yan Hoh

Tsung-Dao Lee Institute and School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 1 , Shanghai 201210,

T

Tianqi Hu

Tsung-Dao Lee Institute and School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 1 , Shanghai 201210,

X

Xingyun Huang

J

Jun Kai Ng

Tsung-Dao Lee Institute and School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 1 , Shanghai 201210,

Y

Yusuke Takeuchi

Tsung-Dao Lee Institute and School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 1 , Shanghai 201210,

M

Min Yang Tan

Tsung-Dao Lee Institute and School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 1 , Shanghai 201210,

J

Jiangtao Wang

Y

Yinghe Wang

Tsung-Dao Lee Institute and School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 1 , Shanghai 201210,

G

Guan Ming Wong

Tsung-Dao Lee Institute and School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 1 , Shanghai 201210,

M

Mengjie Wu

Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Institute of Physical Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Materials Science

N

Ning Yan

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Y

Yonghao Zeng

Tsung-Dao Lee Institute and School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 1 , Shanghai 201210,

M

Min Chen

S

Shunxi Gao

Shanghai Geological Engineering Exploration (Group) Co. Ltd 2 , Shanghai 200092,

L

Lei Li

Y

Yujin Shi

Shanghai Geological Engineering Exploration (Group) Co. Ltd 2 , Shanghai 200092,

J

Jie Tan

Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo and Biosensing, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Q

Qinghua Wang

S

Siping Zeng

S

Shibin Yao

Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Planning and Natural Resources 3 , Shanghai 200001,

Y

Yufu Zhang

Shanghai Chengtou Highway (Group) Co. Ltd 4 , Shanghai 200335,

G

Gongliang Chen

Shanghai Surveying and Mapping Institute 5 , Shanghai 200063,

H

Houwang Wang

Shanghai Surveying and Mapping Institute 5 , Shanghai 200063,

J

Jinxin Lin

Q

Qing Zhan

Shanghai Institute of Natural Resources Survey and Utilization 6 , Shanghai 200040,