USBR Crack the Case Challenge Seeks New Methods for Dam Crack Detection

The Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation (CoECI) assists in the use of crowdsourcing across the federal government. Its Tournament Lab offers the contract capability to run external crowdsourced challenges on behalf of agencies. This three-phase challenge invites geophysicists, sensing specialists, nondestructive testing experts, and creative problem-solvers (including AI/ML practitioners) from any field to develop novel methods for detecting subsurface cracks in embankment dams.

Teams will move through a structured journey from concept to development and real-world demonstration. In Phase 1, teams will articulate and frame their solution approach and execution vision. During Phase 2, selected teams will detail and validate their designs.

In Phase 3, the selected teams will demonstrate the most promising solutions in conditions that reflect real embankment dam environments. Each phase intentionally builds on the last, increasing technical rigor and realism while maintaining focus on practical deployment and impact.

United States

usbr, coeci, tournament lab, embankment dams, subsurface cracks, crack detection, nondestructive testing, geophysics, crowdsourcing, machine learning