Utilization of Optical Fiber System for Mass Movement Monitoring

Year 2016, Volume: 2 Issue: 1, 19 - 24, 30.06.2016

Arzu Arslan Kelam Mustafa Kerem Koçkar , Haluk Akgün

Abstract

Geomorphologic parameters, precipitation characteristics, groundwater level changes, daily temperature
changes, snow melt and loss of stability due to these elements and seismic effect are the primary factors causing mass
movement of landslides. When the landslides and their effects in Turkey are considered, it is almost certain that landslide
monitoring can minimize the risk of life and property loss. The purpose of this study is to develop an in-situ monitoring
system by using optical fibers in order to decrease the risk caused from mass movements. Optical fibers are preferred to
the other available monitoring systems due to their ease of implementation and high sensitivity properties. The optical
fiber system used in this study is composed of fiber optic cables and a device that sends laser signals and collects back
scattered light; referred to as BOTDA (Brillouin Optical Time Domain Analyzer). The proposed system has a 1 m spatial
resolution and it can detect strain with a 0.1με resolution along a 3 km cable. Due to its high sensitivity and continuous
data gathering properties, the suitability of the system in relating the strain measurements on the cable with displacement
has been demonstrated for landslide monitoring this study. In addition, the system can be suitable for monitoring of other
strain based displacements of critical structures such as, roads, tunnels, dams, bridges, etc.

Keywords

Landslide monitoring system, Early warning system, Optical fiber, BOTDA, Mass movement

References

• Pei, H., Cui, P., Yin, J., Zhu, H., Chen, X., Pei, L. & Xu D., 2011. Monitoring and warning of landslides and debris flows using an optical fiber sensor technology. J. Mount. Sci., 8, pp. 728-738