Construction and preliminary testing of a homemade slope stability radar

Slope Stability Radars (SSR) are a proven method for discerning imminent slope failures. However, commercial SSRs are generally too expensive for susceptible remote communities to afford. Therefore, a low-cost homebuilt radar system was constructed and tested to establish the efficacy of its use as a slope stability monitoring system. The homemade radar was adapted from an existing design and used in Doppler mode. Preliminary testing suggests that in current configuration, the homemade radar will not suffice as a SSR in Doppler mode. However, modifications to configuration, mode of operation and employment may enable an effective, cheap and lightweight slope stability radar to be constructed. © 2018 Australian Geomechanics Society