Fiber optic strain monitoring and evaluation of a slow-moving landslide near ashcroft, british columbia, canada

Abstract

Landslides in British Columbia are costly geological hazards that have challenged the major rail companies for over 120 years. Presented here are preliminary results and analyses of fiber Bragg grating and Brillouin optical time domain reflectometry monitoring of a deforming trackside lock-block retaining wall on the Ripley Slide in the Thompson River valley south of Ashcroft, British Columbia. Fiber optic strain data are evaluated in the context of results from global positioning system monitoring, field mapping and electrical resistivity tomographic survey across the landslide. This research aims to reduce the economic, environmental, health and public safety risks that landslides pose to the railway network operating in Canada and elsewhere.