CyGS Presentation - Susanne Ouellet

The Calgary Geotechnical Society is excited to host Susanne Ouellet, Ph.D., P.Eng., founder and CEO of Lumidas, a Calgary-based technology startup specializing in geotechnical monitoring using distributed fibre optic sensing technologies. 

This presentation will be hosted at the Wild Rose Brewery - Barracks Rooms. No virtual option is available for this presentation. Light refreshments and appetizers will be provided.

Please register by Friday, November 14. Ticket sale ends at 5 pm.

**Please note that limited tickets will be available at the door on the day of the presentation, which can be purchased only with cash or cheque. We recommend registering for the event in advance to guarantee your spot.**

 

Topic:

Advancing Geotechnical Monitoring with Distributed Fibre Optic Sensing: Practical Insights from Field Deployments

 

Speaker:

Susanne Ouellet, Ph.D., P.Eng.

 

Date:

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

 

Details:

5:30 pm to 6:00 pm – Doors open, networking & registration

6:00 pm to 6:45 pm – Technical Presentation                    

6:45 pm to 7:00 pm – Q&A

 

Cost:

$10 (Regular) / Free (Student)

 

Location:

Wild Rose Brewery - Barracks Rooms

4580 Quesnay Wood Dr SW, Calgary, AB T3E 7J3

 

Abstract:

Recent advances in distributed fibre optic sensing (DFOS) are enabling new opportunities in geotechnical monitoring. Distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) is a DFOS technology relying on Rayleigh backscattering of light to detect and locate disturbances along tens of kilometres of fibre optic cable. The dynamic strain-sensing capabilities of DAS has driven numerous research initiatives within the seismology community over the past decade. However, applications of DAS in geotechnical monitoring remain comparatively less explored. 

This presentation introduces fundamental principles of DFOS and synthesizes findings from recent case studies involving DAS for geotechnical monitoring. The first study examines a slow-moving landslide where DAS strain and strain-rate data recorded during a rainfall event supported interpretation of the triggering and retrogression failure mechanisms. The second study considers an active mine site in northern Canada. Data were acquired from a cable installed ~1m below a tailings dam crest. Passive seismic interferometry was applied to DAS data to infer changes in seismic velocities in the uppermost several meters of the subsurface. An ongoing field pilot at a tailings dam incorporating multiple DAS instruments, alongside distributed temperature sensing (DTS) and distributed strain sensing (DSS) will also be introduced. Attendees will gain a practical understanding of DFOS technologies and key considerations for deploying DAS in geotechnical monitoring applications.

 

Bio:

Susanne Ouellet (Ph.D., P.Eng.) is the founder and CEO of Lumidas, a Calgary-based technology startup specializing in geotechnical monitoring using distributed fibre optic sensing technologies. She is a registered professional geotechnical engineer in Alberta with over eleven years’ experience in research and consulting. She obtained her B.Ing in Geological Engineering at École Polytechnique de Montreal. Her Ph.D. research at the University of Calgary focused on advancing tailings dam performance monitoring using distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) and was recognized with a Mitacs Innovation Award in Outstanding Innovation..