Real-Time Slope and Wall Monitoring and Reporting Using 3-D MEMS-Based, In-Place Instrumentation System

Landslides have been threatening infrastructures for decades. It is difficult to accurately predict the timing, magnitude, and location where movements will occur. Innovations in wireless and real-time inclinometer monitoring are replacing time-consuming tasks associated with manually collecting data from the field. In an effort to collect real-time data, multiplexed, 3-Dimensional, Micro-Electro-Mechanical-System based, in-place inclinometers have been deployed for two instrumentation monitoring projects; one at the crest of an interstate highway to monitor an active embankment landslide and one between slope stabilization piers for a hillside revitalization project to confirm slope stabilization design. Another case utilized a conventional analog type in-place inclinometer for comparison purposes. Short-range wireless receivers and/or long-range cellular transmitters were setup to transmit field data to the office. The office computer autonomously entered the data into a relational database for archiving, calculated field data using pre-programmed equations, triggered text alarms, and produced useful plots on a password-protected website. New generation inclinometers connected to a wireless remote platform have become a very valuable monitoring tool for slope monitoring and enhancing the safety of our public infrastructure.