Innovative Approaches for Shallow Landslide Monitoring and Subsurface Investigations in Challenging Terrain

Zachary Robertson, PG, PMP (WSP) and Brett Dugan (Pillar Innovations) 

Abstract:

Shallow landslides pose significant risks to linear infrastructure across the Appalachian Basin, where steep slopes and limited access complicate traditional geotechnical investigations and slope monitoring. Recent advancements offer safe, efficient solutions for both subsurface characterization and near real-time slope movement detection in certain types of landslides that are less than 25 feet thick.

This presentation focuses on the development and application of the SlipStik. The SlipStik device is a customizable monitoring tool designed for installation without motorized equipment, ideal for remote or difficult-to-access sites. Utilizing manual dynamic cone penetrometer (DCP) methods and remote telemetry, SlipStik provides near real-time data on subsurface displacement, enabling rapid assessment and early warning for infrastructure owners. Its agile, casingless design allows for high-resolution monitoring and quick deployment, reducing the need for heavy equipment and, in many cases, environmental permitting.

Complementing this, WSP’s use of the PANDA automatic DCP, manufactured by Sol Solution, system enhances site characterization by enabling consistent, electronic subsurface profiling to depths of approximately 25 feet. The PANDA DCP improves field productivity and safety, delivering reliable soil strength data for mitigation design.

Case studies demonstrate that integrating SlipStik monitoring with PANDA DCP investigations yields actionable insights, cost savings, and operational efficiencies compared to conventional methods. Together, these technologies represent a transformative step in protecting critical infrastructure from shallow landslide hazards, especially where access, budget, and safety are paramount concerns.

Bios:

Zack Robertson, PG, PMP is a Professional Geologist with 14 years of experience managing and executing geotechnical and geohazard projects throughout the Appalachian Basin and across the United States. As a Lead Consultant and Engineering Geologist with WSP, he serves as a project manager and technical lead for pipeline geohazard assessments and mitigation projects, specializing in landslide investigations, slope stability analysis, geotechnical instrumentation, hydrotechnical assessments, and pipeline integrity management. Recently, he has taken on the role of Lead Geologist for the Allegheny River Tunnel in the City of Pittsburgh, for the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority.

Brett Dugan is the IoT Department Manager at Pillar Innovations, where he leads product development and field deployment of sensor-based monitoring systems for geohazard and infrastructure applications. Holding a BS in Electrical Engineering, an MS in Materials Science and Engineering, and an MBA, Brett brings a multidisciplinary foundation to the design and commercialization of field instrumentation. He is the lead developer of the SlipStik monitoring system, with hands-on deployment experience across pipeline, rail, and energy applications throughout the Appalachian Basin.