Monitoring of large landslides using the automated inclinometer system (AIS)

Abstract

The inclinometer monitoring is a standard method of identifying sliding surfaces on landslide slopes. However traditional manual techniques are subject to systematic errors relating to operator and probe repositioning and only provide periodic data. To overcome these limitations and gain a better understanding of the complex kinematics of landslide movements, the Automated Inclinometer System (IRPI-CNR) was developed. This robotic solution integrates a single, high- precision probe with an automatic control unit, which allows the entire vertical surface to be sampled at a high temporal frequency. In high-risk systems, eliminating human error and ensuring data continuity can activate real-time early warning systems. The system’s performance was demonstrated in various case studies, ranging from the analysis of deep lateral spreading in fractured sandstones in Borrello, Italy, to the study of roto-translational landslides in clayey-sandy soils in Chieti, Italy. In both cases, automation has proved essential for accurately reconstructing the deep deformation profile and providing an important tool for assessing instability and managing hydrogeological risk.