\graphicspath{ {images_thesis/} }


Identifying the flexible slope stabilisation system components is an essential work for predictive maintenance of these systems in order to prevent vital landslide hazards.
The landslide containment components identification is typically done by humans. However, this type of detection can be done by advanced autonomous systems by taking images as input to feed the system to detect and identify the objects. Used with deep learning models, these systems are suitable for image analysis tasks such as semantic segmentation models capable of pixel-level component detection.

Semantic segmentation algorithms help to understand the context of an environment and are therefore commonly used when context is required. Semantic segmentation is an important area in Computer Vision and the purpose is labelling each pixel in an image as a defined class. Therefore, this approach allows image classification at the pixel level. Assigned tags may represent objects (eg: rock, road, house) and/or living entities (eg: people, animals) in an image.

The objective of this thesis is to evaluate the performance of state-of-the-art semantic segmentation models based to detect mesh and wire in landslide containment devices. According to the results, the most reliable model will be selected for image analysis. Different combinations of model parameters will be searched with a grid search to find an optimum model. Conclusively, the models will be valuable for the maintenance of landslide containment devices. This project is part of a bigger project that is held by Modelway S.r.l. and the company is assisted in the creation of this thesis and the final result will be an optimal semantic segmentation model suitable for image analysis.

The consideration of this thesis is the landslide containment devices that are composed of two types of spikes, mesh and wire. This thesis focuses on detecting two main components, which are customarily referred to as "mesh" and "wire". 





\subsubsection{The Flexible Slope Stabilization System}
Mass movements such as landslides are very important natural hazards that threaten natural resources, human life, infrastructures and property in mountainous regions around the world\cite{landslide_1}.\newline Landslides are defined as the movement of a mass of debris, rocks, or slope failures, which occurs during rainfall, runoff, rapid snow-melt, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions\cite{landslide_2}.\newline Landslides occur for various reasons such as earthquake shocks, heavy rainfall, or road construction in hilly areas\cite{landslide_3}. \\
The flexible systems used in slope stabilization consist of a durable cover (cable netting or high-strength wire mesh) and anchor bolts. This technique has become widespread as it is visually inconspicuous and has minimal impact on traffic during installation\cite{prevention_system}.   
To enhance the understanding of structure of landslide containment devices, it is beneficial to examine their various components. The Flexible Slope Stabilization Systems consist of several primary components, and detecting some of these components could be crucial for maintaining landslide containment systems.
\begin{itemize}

\item Wire mesh: triple torsion fabricated with low-resistance steel. for purpose of reducing the net grid spacing to prevent detachment of small fragments of soil or rock,
\item Steel cables : the cables are fixed at the intersection points of the net weave by staples,
\item Reinforcement/sewing and perimeter cables: employed to join net panels, fit the net to the ground and make the system rigid through connection with the central bolts and anchors of the perimeter cable. 
\item Bolts: arranged in rows and columns with a constant separation, 
\item Cable anchors:used at the edge of the zone to be stabilised to brace and tense the  perimeter cables, 
\item Spike plate: to attach the intersection of the net cables and reinforcement cables to the ground by a nut thread in the bolt\cite{system_components}, 
\end{itemize}

\par The Figure \ref{fig1} demonstrates two distinct types of `Spike plates'.  The Figure \ref{fig2} demonstrates composition of `wire mesh', `Steel cables', and  a particular type of `spike plate' with ring shape. Lastly, The Figure \ref{fig3} demonstrates this composition from a broad perspective.


\begin{figure}[h!]

\includegraphics[width=140mm,scale=0.99]{images_thesis/spik_red_ring.png} 
\centering
\caption{Different types of spike plates from our data-set.}
\label{fig1}
\end{figure}

\begin{figure}[h!]
\includegraphics[width=93mm,scale=0.99]{images_thesis/mesh_wire_spike.png} 
\centering
\caption{Composition of the components of Flexible Slope Stabilization System }
\label{fig2}
\end{figure}

\begin{figure}[h!]
\includegraphics[width=93   mm,scale=0.99]{images_thesis/_DSC0301.JPG} 
\centering
\caption{Composition from a broad perspective.}
\label{fig3}
\end{figure}

    