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Table 1 Trial site selection check list

From: A community-operated landslide early warning approach: Myanmar case study

Criteria

Requirements and comments

Questions

Yes/Nox

Geology/soil

Presence of superficial deposits (fill or natural soil):

Soil type

Thickness (estimate)

Presence of ground water

Materials that could develop a shear surface leading to mass movement during a failure event

Must be able to drive a steel waveguide to required depth (i.e., typically at least 2 to 3 m)

S1—Is the slope covered in loose soil/dirt?

Yes/No

S2—What is the size of the largest soil particle in metres?

m

S3—Is the slope manmade from tipping of rubble?

Yes/No

If yes, was the slope made in the last few years?

Yes/No

S4—Is there evidence of water flowing out of the slope or ponding at the toe?

Yes/No

S5—Do you think it would be possible to drive a steel tube/rod 2 to 3 m into the slope?

Yes/No

Geometry of slope

Height

Slope angle

Profile (i.e., steps)

Safe conditions for manual installation of waveguide, cover and sensor (e.g., not too steep)

G1—How high is the slope?

 

Less than 10 m

Yes/No

10 to 20 m

Yes/No

Greater than 20 m (if so, how high)

Yes/No

G2—How steep is the slope, could you walk up it:

 

Easily?

Yes/No

With difficulty?

Yes/No

Not at all?

Yes/No

G3—What would you estimate the angle of the slope to be?

°

Vegetation

Type

Coverage

No restrictions on activities

Unrestricted wireless connection and solar radiation

V1—What type of vegetation covers the slope?

 

None

Yes/No

Grass

Yes/No

Small bushes

Yes/No

Trees

Yes/No

V2—Does the vegetation obstruct the view across the slope when standing at the toe or top?

Yes/No

Location and access

Vehicle access to vicinity of slope

Access for people and materials

Safety of access to site and onto the slope for installation and maintenance

L1—Is the slope close to a road or track for vehicles?

 

Near top of slope

Yes/No

Near toe of slope

Yes/No

L2—Will it be easy to carry materials onto the slope?

Yes/No

Stability of slope

Evidence of historical instability

Potential for future instability

Likely mechanism(s) of failure

Reasonable expectations that a slope failure could occur in the next 1 year, with assessment based on failure frequency of comparable slopes in the vicinity

St1—Does it look like there have been any recent movements of material on the slope?

 

Is there any soil debris at the toe of the slope?

Yes/No

Is the slope profile uneven, indicating local slumps of material?

Yes/No

Are there any cracks behind the top of the slope or on the slope?

Yes/No

Are there any steep steps in the slope profile?

Yes/No

St2—Does the slope look more uneven and/or disturbed compared to similar slopes nearby?

Yes/No

Community interest

Permissions for slope access

Potential interest and engagement

Management of system

Hosting of base station

Receipt and use of alarm information

Site for location for base station

Government permissions in place

A community that could be affected by a slope failure

Focus on risk to infrastructure rather than directly on people

Willing to host, operate and maintain the system

Willing to share experiences and provide feedback

C1—Is there any infrastructure (e.g., housing, roads, water supply pipes) that could be damaged by failure of the slope (record the type of infrastructure and provide a sketch of its location relative to the slope):

 

At the toe?

Yes/No

At the crest?

Yes/No

On the slope?

Yes/No

C2—Is it likely that government permission will be granted to work at the location of the slope?

Yes/No

C3—Is there a youth group living near the slope that could be trained to operate the sensors?

Yes/No

Health & Safety considerations

Risk assessments required

Safety of staff

Constraints on installation and operation

Permissions for travel to site obtained from employers

Site geometry/ conditions must not put site operatives at risk

H1—Is it safe to visit the site and surrounding area?

Yes/No

H2—Is it safe to walk to and work on the site?

Yes/No

x Support your answers with photographs and video clips of the slope and surrounding area, and provide additional comments and sketches to help explain answers you have given

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