A System for Forecasting and Preventing Emergency Situations on Landslide Sites

Landslide slope movements have led to many emergency situations in Ukrainian cities over the last several decades, like the case in Dnipropetrovsk in June 1997. To prevent such situations a forecasting system of two functionally coupled modules has been developed that includes 1) software-based analytical estimations of slope stability, and 2) the automated monitoring and informing complex "OZONE GEO". Slope stability is assessed using the numerical models of soil mechanics that allow contouring crucial zones for landslide risk to be covered by the observation points of the "OZONE GEO" complex. Geometrical, geomechanical, and hydrogeological parameters are measured automatically using the remote control units. The data are transferred in real time and then processed for estimating the slope stability; if necessary, the system is supplied with rapid warning and decision-making units. The different variants of this system were installed for geotechnical monitoring on many sites in Ukraine during 2006-2011.