Rockfall Monitoring, UK

The Soil Instruments Slope Failure System is a semi permanent, automated monitoring system, designed to alert Network Rail engineers to the occurrence of a slope failure in cuttings or on embankments.

DESIGN OVERVIEW

The key components of the Slope Failure System are linear draw wire sensors, cabled to an automated data logger, complete with GPRS communication and a permanent power supply. Housed in IP65 rated enclosures these are anchored to a fixed point, with the tensioned draw wire being extended and secured to a position within the identified failure zone.

Should movement occur, the resultant change in wire length is calculated by the data logger, which then transmits an SMS or emailed alert.

Running in parallel to this is a ‘stand alone' camera system, fitted with day and night lenses. In addition regularly updated images of the site, the system can be configured to capture and email an image when an alarm is detected. Engineers can then view this image to authenticate the detected failure.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

• Live and historical data, along with digital images are accessible via a password secure website. A ‘low power' alert will be transmitted, if the on board batteries drop below a predetermined threshold
• Alarms can be sent to multiple addresses or telephone numbers
• Low maintenance