Development of technology to prevent or mitigate damages from sediment-related disasters caused by sudden natural phenomena

In recent years, sediment-related disasters (such as volcanic eruptions, large-scale earthquakes, sudden heavy rain and rapid snow melting) caused by sudden natural phenomenon has occurred and the increasing number of emergency responses are required.
It is necessary to have engineering capable of executing the initial response of the disaster more quickly and effectively to respond to sudden sediment-related disasters. Also technology that maximize function of the existing stock without fatal damages is required.
This research has 3 sets of goals to achieve disaster prevention and mitigation of sediment-related disasters disasters caused by sudden natural phenomena.

1. ①Development of technology to monitor sediment movement and technology to inspect/maintain roadside slopes.
2. ②Development of technology to estimate the range of sediment movement and technology to assure safety of road traffic.
3. ③Development of the design technology and the robot technology to prevent/reduce sediment-related disasters.

For ①, we conduct research to discover the location of sediment-related disasters at the early stage through the development of a vibration sensor that detects the deep-seated landslides.
For ②, we develop advanced technology to estimate the landslide area and evaluation technology on sudden heavy rain slope stability in consideration of sudden heavy rain and snowmelt. From these, we study risk assessment on life/property/social infrastructure.
For ③, we conduct research on design technology of sabodams for large scale debris flow and also study unmanned construction technology under the dangerous situation such volcanic eruption.
We aim to deploy the disaster prevention measures to "protect human life" and "avoid the catastrophic damage on the social economy" in case of sediment-related disasters that occurs suddenly.