Project Info

Developing an early warning system for landslides

Alexandra Wayllace
awayllac@mines.edu

Project Goals and Description:

This project takes into account the hydrology and mechanical behavior of soils to predict the stability of a hillslope. The testing site is in Boulder County. The project is interesting because it combines field visits, work in the lab, and numerical modeling. The student will learn to interpret field data, perform specialized tests, and how to setup a model using Hydrus2D and SlopeCube.

More Information:

Grand Challenge: Engineer the tools of scientific discovery.
The system that will be developed is similar to: Real-Time Monitoring for Potential Landslides | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov) Other useful publications: Effects of Infiltration Characteristics on Spatial-Temporal Evolution of Stability of an Interstate Highway Embankment | Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering | Vol 145, No 9 (ascelibrary.org)  

Primary Contacts:

Alexandra Wayllace

Student Preparation

Qualifications

The student must have passed CEEN312A (Soil Mechanics) and CEEN312L (Soil Mechanics Laboratory), must be creative and detail oriented.

TIME COMMITMENT (HRS/WK)

4hr

SKILLS/TECHNIQUES GAINED

  • The student will learn the basics to do research, starting from doing a literature review to critically assessing information.
  • The student will visit the field and become familiar with instruments installed at different locations
  • The student will learn to analyze near real time data obtained from the field
  • The student will learn to perform specialized hydrological and strength tests
  • The student will learn the basics of numerical modeling

MENTORING PLAN

I will coordinate with the student to setup monthly goals, and will meet them weekly to help answer questions. I will train the student on the laboratory testing.

PREFERRED STUDENT STATUS

Junior
Senior
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