A Potential Landslide Early Warning System Based on Threshold Velocity of 1 mm/min

In this article, a potential landslide early warning system (LEWS) based on acoustic emission (AE) technology is discussed. The most critical components of proposed LEWS are active waveguide system (AWS), AE sensor, and correlation between soil slope deformation dynamics and AE behaviour of the slope. We have calibrated the AWS in the laboratory with help of universal testing machine. Multiple AWS and AE sensor assemblies have been used in the study. We have used both resonant and broadband AE sensors. AE characteristics of the AWS in response to its deformation dynamics are analyzed and a correlation between the two is established. Based on the correlation, a threshold deformation velocity parameter of 1 mm/min is proposed for the LEWS. Post calibration, the AWS and AE sensor assemblies are tested on an artificial soil slope created inside a tilt trolley machine. AE behaviour of the artificial soil slope in response to slope angle, water content, and slope displacement is also studied to visualize the performance of the proposed LEWS on real-time landslide prone soil slope. The results from both the experiments are in consistency with each-other that solidifies the potential application of the entire AE sensor system on real-time soil slope for generating early warnings when slope displacement rates breach 1 mm/min.