1. Landslide Detector
Bhanu Pratap
Civil Engineering
T.R.A.M.I.E.T, Tanda, Mandi
Abstract: - Landslides takes thousands of lives during the monsoon season in hilly areas like
H.P. or even at the time of earthquakes. So to detect the landslides an imaginative idea is
generated by which the landslides prone areas are detected by simple means of Ultrasonic
Waves. A device which consists of an emitter and receiver of ultrasonic waves is used with a
tripod stand. Software will be developed for changing the raw material collected by device to a
virtual profile and then saving it to compare it with the same profile for the time and to detect the
variation. The full feasible idea is discussed in this paper.
1. Aim
To make a simple handy device this can detect the landslide prone areas and give warnings
and alerts prior to any landslide.
2. Vision
To develop the landslide detecting device which is economical and easy to use so that it can
be easily adopted by Public Works department to detect the landslide prone areas and to help in
reducing the amount of danger involved at the time of the monsoon or during the period of heavy
rainfall.
3. Need
There is following reasons why this type of device is needed. But the sole purposes why we
need it are:

2.  To warn people living in the landslide prone areas.
 To have time for the corrective measures.
 To save money and life.
4. Use
This device can be used in various ways, but specifically for:
 Hills which are sloped and have larger mass of loose soil.
 Slopes which are produced while constructing access roads.
 Sloped Soil over which there is less plantation.
5. Technology Involved
The technology needed for developing this device is too simple. What we actually need is an
ultrasonic waves emitter and receiver. And a tripod stand to hold the instrument straight and on a
fixed point so that for the next time we can use the same point as station. Now what actually the
instrument will do is to send the ultrasonic waves and to receive them and we will record the
time between the sending and receiving and we also know the velocity of the waves hence we
can calculate the distance of a required point from the station as by formula:
D = v*t/2
Where; D = is the distance of the point from station
v = is the velocity of waves
t = is time elapsed between the sending and receiving.
Now, after finding the all required distance of points we can have a whole profile. The next step
will be to develop software which will convert all these points to a virtual profile same as the
field.
Now for the next time after few days we will again take the readings and compare with
the previous one to find any variations. If there is any variation then the area will declared as
landslide prone area. Now to reduce the time we need to have some memory in our device so that
the previous data can be stored to compare with the new data and then at the same time the
device after comparison will alert us about the result.
5.1 What are ultrasonic waves
These are the sound waves having frequencies above the audible range. The properties of the
ultrasonic waves are as follows:
Raw data received by
instrument.
Software A virtual profile created
with required points.

3.  These are highly energetic.
 They show negligible diffraction due to their small wavelength. Hence they can be
transmitted over long distances without any appreciable loss of energy.
 These can be concentrated into a sharp beam due to smaller wavelength.
5.2 How ultrasonic waves are produced
These waves cannot be produced as the usual way by a diaphragm loudspeaker fed with
alternating current. There are two methods of producing these waves the most commonly
used is Piezo-electric method.
According to which when certain crystals like quartz are stretched or compressed along
certain axis (known as mechanical axis), an electric potential difference is produced along a

4. perpendicular axis (known as electrical axis). The converse is also true. Now, if the
frequency of electric oscillations coincides with the natural frequency of the crystal, the
vibrations will be of large amplitude. This phenomenon is utilized for production of
ultraviolet waves.
Conclusion
The landslides if detected can help in reducing the accidents and can save lives of people.
This instrument if developed can be easily used by government officials and by other NGO’s to
ensure the safety of people.
Blog Links:
http://Landslidedetector.blogspot.in/
http://looseleaves.me/1Rm/Landslide-Detector