On many earthwork, foundation, excavation or failure assessment projects, instrumentation is an essential component of monitoring geotechnical performance. Instrumentation can range from simple such as settlement monitoring to more complex for projects such as tunnels, slopes or excavations next to sensitive structures. Instrumentation may also be needed for vibratory and impact loads during and post construction.
Design Verification to check that performance is as predicted. Instrument data from the initial phase of a project may reveal the need to modify the design in later phases.
Construction Control to monitor the effects of construction. Instrument data can help the engineer determine how fast construction can proceed without the risk of failure.
Quality Control Instrumentation can be used both to enforce the quality of workmanship on a project and to document that work was done to specifications.
Safety Instruments can provide early warning of impending failures, allowing time for safe evacuation of the area and time to implement remedial action. Safety monitoring requires quick retrieval, processing, and presentation of data, so that decisions can be made promptly.
Legal Protection Instrument Data can provide evidence for a legal defense of designers and contractors should owners of adjacent properties claim that construction has caused damage.
BHATE Geotechnical Engineers and Geologists are well trained in the proper installation and use of geotechnical instrumentation. Services include the following:
- Inclinometers for subsurface lateral movement monitoring
- Extensometers for ground subsidence movements
- Settlement monitoring plates
- Foundation load testing and instrumentation
- Structural health monitoring- stress/strain gauges
- Ground noise and vibration monitoring
- Structural deflection monitoring
- We can custom design a monitoring program for specific applications
