Geotechnical Instrumentation and Monitoring – A Review

Geotechnical instrumentation plays a vital role in geotechnical engineering and is highly useful to the engineers as well as to the humankind. For mega manmade structures like dams, bridges, reservoirs, railways, roadways, mines and more it is highly beneficial if used from the design phase itself. Geotechnical instrumentation and monitoring plays a crucial role right from the design till the end of life of these structures. When it comes to maintenance of the structure and the safety as well, geotechnical instrumentation is highly useful. The benefit of geotechnical instrumentation and monitoring is as follows –

Bridge Monitoring Systems – These systems are into continuous monitoring of the condition of the bridges and providing realtime information about it to the technicians and the engineers. They are highly useful in increasing the lifespan of the bridges as well. When there is any sort of potential hazard these systems immediately alert the engineers so that they can carry out preventive measures and any evacuation if necessary.

Environmental Monitoring – For acquiring information like landfill stability and ground water level the use of environmental monitoring systems is made. For withstanding high temperatures as well as corrosion use of special instruments is done.

Construction Monitoring Systems – Geotechnical instrumentation and monitoring play an important role in the complete life cycle management of construction projects right from the design phase to the maintenance phase. In the beginning construction monitoring systems help in evaluating the site conditions as well as verification of the design as well. When the construction is going on these systems help in scheduling the process and also suggest changes so that the construction can be carried out speedily without affecting the quality of the construction. While the construction is on, sometimes the neighboring properties in order to get money complain about damage to their property even if the damage is not done. With the help of geotechnical monitoring systems there is always a proof that damage is not done and it is accepted by the law as well. Even in case of any hazard to the construction work, immediate alerts are provided so that any mishap could be avoided and if any sort of evacuation is needed, that too could be done. Even during the maintenance of the structure after its completion monitoring systems are very useful.

Geotechnical Instrumentation and Monitoring Services – There are various different companies which are into providing services related to geotechnical instrumentation and monitoring. These companies are into design of standard instrumentation and monitoring systems to custom made systems as per the requirement as well. Some of the services which are provided by these companies include the following – Geotechnical data interpretation, supply of geotechnical instruments, instruments monitoring and system design, installation of geotechnical instruments 2D, 3D rock stress management and more.

Thus, geotechnical instrumentation and engineering is useful not only in the field of engineering but in the field of construction as well and due to these systems which are advanced in nature even remote monitoring of the mega structure has become possible. The data reports are usually mailed to the inbox of the technician’s almost real time.

Russell Crue provides useful information on geotechnical instrumentation and monitoring.To get more information on geotechnical monitoring visit his Gpuls. Russell Crue Website >>