Multi-Instrumental Approach to Slope Failure Monitoring in a Landslide Susceptible Newly Built-Up Area: Topo-Geodetic Survey, UAV 3D Modelling and Ground-Penetrating Radar

Abstract

Slope failures and landslides cause economic damage and deaths worldwide. These losses can be minimized by integrating different methodologies, instruments, and data monitoring to predict future landslides. In the constantly growing metropolitan area of Cluj-Napoca, Romania, changes in land cover, land use, and build-up areas are an issue. The unprecedented urban sprawl pushed the city limits from the Somes River to hilly terrain prone to landslides and erosion. This study focuses on a landslide-prone area where a previous slope failure caused significant economic losses. It combines topo-geodetic measurements, UAV monitoring of surface displacement, GIS spatial analysis, ground-penetrating radar investigations, and geotechnical assessment. Two years of data show that the slope is undergoing surface erosion, with soil displacements of a few centimeters. Geodetic monitoring of the retaining wall’s control points indicates a small rotation. Coupled with georadar profile imaging showing changes in soil and rock layers with an uplift trend, it was deduced that the area suffers from a global instability. The findings provide valuable information about the dynamics of landslides and erosion for forecasting future movements and developing preventative strategies based on a new methodology that combines affordable and prevalent instrumentation and techniques.