Oct 27 2010
Loughborough University scientists in association with the British Geological Survey have advanced an innovative sound sensing technology that helps in forecasting the chances of a landslide. This system functions by monitoring and evaluating the acoustic activity of soil in predicting the likelihood of a landslide so as to take preventive measures to withstand it.
The unique system was devised as two projects financially supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
The monitoring system features a series of sensing units that are embedded throughout the embankment or hillside which is under the threat of collision. The sensing device operates as microphones in the sub-soil layers, monitors the acoustic behaviour of the soil throughout the slope and relays signals to a main computer for further evaluation process.
The inter-particle friction generates noise and this noise rate is directly proportional to the soil motion rates and thus the enhanced acoustic discharges provide the information that a slope is likely to collapse.
If a particular set of noise rate is monitored, the device will automatically furnish an alarm or warning note by means of a text message to the concerned persons in-charge of security in the confined zone.
Thus this sort of prior collapse indications from the system permits the authorities to isolate the restricted area, shut the transportation across the slope or to execute different operations to strengthen the soil.
Source: http://www.lboro.ac.uk