The ground can be quite unreliable when it comes to construction. Therefore, even with a high-quality geotechnical design, it is vital to monitor the development of a construction project and the performance of a fill pad, slope, or excavation. Confirmed by industry expert Silixa, this is where geotechnical sensors come into play. But what are geotechnical sensors, and how do they help to monitor construction projects?
This post will describe geotechnical monitoring and the common types of geotechnical sensors in the market today. We’ll also highlight the benefits of using these sensors to monitor the development of various construction projects. Please continue reading to learn more about these sensors.
What are Geotechnical Sensors?
Geotechnical monitoring is the continuous assessment of ground performance against the project’s design assumptions. A construction engineer uses geotechnical sensors to make informed adjustments to the construction’s design to maintain or enhance its stability.
Regulatory bodies obligate geotechnical monitoring for major projects around populated regions or sensitive structures. This technique examines ground movement, vibrations, water pressure, and structural movements. It analyses issues such as:
- Deformation of rocks, soil, and structures
- Stressors affecting structures such as shafts, walls, tunnels, embankments, etc.
- Pressure, velocity, and volume of surface and groundwater
Major Types of Geotechnical Sensors
1. Total station
Total stations are most frequently employed for positional monitoring, such as measuring excavation support systems and their surrounding structures, settling fills, and measuring the movement of critical infrastructure. Whether manually controlled or automated using robotics, this laser-powered measurement technique supports effortless data gathering from long-range settings to nearby structures and excavation support systems.
The equipment used for positional monitoring collects reference measurements on target coordinates beyond the movement zone of influence (ZOI) of excavations or other movement zones. The displacements of structures are then computed by comparing these observations with measurements of coordinates inside the ZOI. Any deviations from project-specific criteria or trends are communicated to the project team. With the ability to automate, project teams may receive real-time alerts when the levels exceed the data collection thresholds.
2. Inclinometers and tilt meters
Both inclinometers and tilt meters are used to measure structural and excavation displacements. Typical applications include testing the performance of excavation support systems during excavation and construction, placement in a landslide or slope failure zones, structural building tilt monitoring, and along retaining walls.
3. Piezometers
Piezometers can be used in various urban, suburban, and rural building applications. They are used in extensive soil fill sites and excavations with slurry walls to monitor the performance of the slurry against water intrusion, water level changes with dewatering activities, etc.
Piezometers consist of a tiny cylinder containing a diaphragm and electrical measuring equipment. These devices monitor water levels or pore water pressure when placed into a water-level pipe or grouted in situ in soil or slurry.
4. Vibration monitors
Vibration monitors measure construction-related vibrations in neighboring structures or other vital parts to reduce the consequences of these vibrations. These sensors can monitor nearby structures during construction-related vibrations, adjacent demolition, pile driving, rock blasting, etc. Seismographs (vibration monitors) comprise a geophone linked to a tiny data gathering readout. The devices record vibrations that exceed a project-specific threshold and can be programmed to send out email notifications in real time.
Benefits of Geotechnical Monitoring
1. Design Validation
- Instruments are used to validate design assumptions and ensure that performance matches expectations.
- Sensor data from the first phase of a project can determine the necessity (or opportunity) to change the design in subsequent phases.
2. Construction Control
Instruments are used to track the outcomes of construction projects. Instrument data can assist engineers in determining how quickly construction can proceed without risk of failure.
3. Safety
- Sensors can provide early alerts regarding potential failures, allowing for safe evacuation and implementing corrective measures.
- These sensors facilitate quick retrieval, processing, and display of data for timely decision-monitoring.
4. Legal Protection
Data from geotechnical sensors can help designers and contractors defend themselves in court against owners of nearby properties claiming that construction has damaged their property.
5. Performance
- Instruments are used to monitor a structure’s in-service performance.
- These sensors can detect parameters like leakages, pore-water pressure, and deformation, which often indicate a dam’s performance.
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