Development of IoT sensing modulus for surficial slope failures

Abstract

To improve the limitations of rainfall-based slope warning system, a new system that integrates the hydro-mechanical slope analysis and wireless sensing module for surficial ground response monitoring is under development. The proposed system aims to establish a customized, time-dependent warning system for shallow slope failures triggered by rainfalls. A coupled hydro-mechanical analysis considering both the hydraulic infiltrations and mechanical responses of unsaturated soils in slope stability analysis is adopted. A real-time, wireless sensing module adopting the internet of things (IoT) technology is developed. The sensing module integrates the micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) sensing components with wireless communication modules. The module measures in-situ surface inclination and water content profile and uploads the data to cloud storage. The wireless sensing modules have been deployed in a potential landslide site for more than one year and current progress shows that feasibility of a customized, time-dependent warning system is promising.