Geological Warning System – Escarpment / Rock fall

Project: Geological Warning System – Escarpment / Rock Fall
Location: Breitenberg – Dornbirn, Austria

Conceptual formulation
In the past, there have been major rock slides on Breitenberg, a 600 m high escarpment to the south of Dornbirn. Minor rock falls in recent years provided the incentive to install a measuring and warning system.

Solution
Continuous measurements in rocks using various precision sensors (geophones, anchor load cells, extensometers, fissurometers) allow the best possible situation assessment by geologists in charge of the system. All monitoring of the cliff section at risk is fully automatic. By integrating a weather station it is possible to detect and assess the effect of environmental conditions on the rocks. A newly constructed barrage in the valley provides additional safety.

Implementation
The experts in charge can retrieve and interpret all collected data straightforwardly by remote data transmission. In the event of acute, critical rock movements, the measuring system automatically informs the consulting engineer in charge and the local authority of events in the area at risk. A powerful alarm manager especially set up for this purpose allows straightforward mapping and administration of complex alarm conditions and various information paths via a browsertype user interface.