Landslide monitoring and on-line early warning methods based on geological engineering investigations in the Beskid Niski and Beskid Średni Mountains

The objective of this paper is to presents results and conclusions from landslide monitoring and early warning methods implemented by the author for road and infrastructure stabilization projects. Research present monitoring for 23 Carpathian landslides and 8 counteraction projects. Implemented instrumentation besides standard monitoring methods included automatic on-line measurements with real-time transfer of landslide data to the Internet. The initial site investigations were funded under the Landslide Counteraction Project (2005–2009). Standard monitoring measurements was financed by author and Poltegor-Institute (2006–2015). Real-time measurements were realized inside the EU Innovative Economy Programme (2008–2013). These measurements are conducted and financed by the author till now. The instrumentation consists of 26 standard inclinometers to depths of 5–21 m. Up to Fifty five series of measurements performed 4–9 times a year from 2006 till now detected displacement from several millimetres to 49 cm. These were observed at depths of 1–17 m. Modern automatic, early warning, real time system was installed in May 2010. The system is the first of its kind in Poland and one of several such a systems in the world. The installation was carried out in consultation with the Local Road Authority in Gorlice. It contained three automatic field stations investigating landslide parameters to the depths of 12–16 m and the weather station. The displacements were measured by in-place inclinometers, and innovative 3D continuous inclinometer systems with sensors located every 0.5 m. It has possibility to measure much greater range of movements compare to the standard systems. The obtained data allowed better recognition of geohazards triggering parameters and control of landslide stabilization works. It included definition of risk conditions. The early-warning about the risk to the road owner and the Carpathian Branch of Polish Geological Survey were implemented. Chosen monitoring methods and numerical modelling could help in forecasting of the landslide movement for estimation of remediation possibilities and improve effectiveness of stabilization works. However, landslide stabilization works are usully difficult and should be connected with control monitoring measurements