Study of experimental fields monitoring geotechnical and climatic variables for the implementation of the warning systems for landslides in the State of São Paulo

• Grant number: 11/22577-2
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: April 01, 2012 - March 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Civil Engineering - Geotechnical Engineering
• Principal researcher: Rodolfo Moreda Mendes
• Grantee: Rodolfo Moreda Mendes
• Home Institution: Instituto Geológico. Secretaria do Meio Ambiente (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The research project aims to enhance the technical criteria currently used in Preventive Plan of Civil Defence (PPDC), in State of São Paulo, from the study of climatic and geotechnical variables together with the main factors inducing of landslides in urban areas. The geotechnical and climatic variables will be monitored simultaneously and in real time by installing sensors of precipitation (rain), moisture content and suction of the soil in three experimental fields located in the cities of Campos do Jordao, Sao Jose dos Campos and Ubatuba. In addition, it is intended to study the influence of anthropogenic factors in induced landslides in urban areas from the analysis of slope stability simulations that consider different scenarios observed in risk areas already mapped in the municipalities where will be implemented the experimental fields. The experimental fields will be implemented preferably in land unit basic of compartimentation whose profiles of soil present geological and geotechnical characteristics with greater natural susceptibility to the occurrence of landslides. The study of mechanical and hydraulic properties of soils will be done both through field and laboratory testing and by monitoring of climate and geotechnical variables in conditions of the field, with the intending to better understand the process of infiltration of rainwater in the different investigated soils profiles. It also aims to create a database with the geotechnical soils properties (shear strength, water retention curve, hydraulic conductivity) representative of the municipalities for use in slope stability analysis. It is hoped that the results of this research can provide appreciable benefits to the improvement of technical parameters currently used in Preventive Plan of Civil Defence (PPDC), in State of São Paulo, by adoption of critical alert levels through the simultaneous monitoring physical natural variables and anthropogenic factors inducing landslides. (AU)