A quantitative monitoring technology for seepage in slopes using DTS

Abstract Seepage monitoring of slopes is a basic requirement for evaluating slope stability and is necessary for predicting landslides. In this paper, an innovative Distributed Temperature System for measuring seepage rate, called S-DTS, is introduced. In S-DTS, a Carbon Fiber Heating Cable, called CFHC, is designed and made for enhancing the measure sensitivity and accuracy of DTS for seepage monitoring; a characteristic temperature ( T t ) is proposed and defined for establishing the quantitative relationship between the measured temperature value and the seepage rate ( V ) easily. A test is designed and carried out to validate the feasibility of this technology in measuring the seepage rate quantitatively. The test results show that T t has a good linear relationship between with the seepage rate ( V ), but nothing with the grain size distribution in same sandy soil. Finally, an S-DTS based seepage monitoring program of slope is presented. S-DTS can be used to monitor the fluctuation of the groundwater table and seepage rate in the slope, and to locate the position of potential slip surfaces in slopes. It has great significance to assess the slope stability and predict the landslide.