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Eco-engineering and conservation of slopes for long-term protection from erosion, landslides and storms

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Innovative slope stability management

A decision support system for eco-engineering solutions to slope stability problems has been designed. As the first management tool of its kind, it can combine both eco- and ground bioengineering techniques with user-friendly software.

Digital Economy icon Digital Economy

Landslides in Europe have caused loss of life and serious damage to communities. This indicates a critical need for improving the management of unstable slopes in rural as well as in urban environments. To date, geo-engineering procedures that use reinforcing techniques have provided an expensive solution and furthermore can be used only in high-risk, accessible areas. The Slope Decision Support System (SDSS) however is an interactive system that can handle problems relating to the uppermost soil horizons. It utilises methods that concern unstructured or semi-structured problems. The resulting analysis benefits the end user who is able to interact with the system via the project specific data entered. A major advantage of the SDSS features is that the data entered by the user can define the outcome. Thus, it can remind experienced end-users of the various options they can consider. For novice users, the system can aid in arriving at complex decisions. Overall the inter-active problem solving process can cater to specific user preferences. In the future the SDSS should be useful to eco-engineering professionals as well as officers and students familiar with computer software. It has already been presented at international scientific conferences, is available free of charge and is soon to be produced in CD form. Presently it is only available in Europe but can be adapted for Asia and the Americas. Potential partners involved in environmental technology, forestry, ground bioengineering, etc. are sought for collaboration.

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