Geotechnical Instrumentation

for Deep Excavation Works

Construction Industry Training Institute,

Singapore, January 11th
th 2006

Overview
Overview of
of commonly
commonly used
used
geotechnical
geotechnical instruments
instruments for
for
deep
deep excavation
excavation construction.
construction.
Tony Simmonds,
International Projects Manager,
Geokon Inc.,
Lebanon, NH, USA

1
 Instrument selection
• Physical principle
• Durability
• Reliability
• Accuracy
• Response time
• Stability
• Observation mode:
Point wise or Line wise

Instrumentation design
principles
• Redundancy
• Automation
• Telemetry

2
 Principles of
Measurement
• Mechanical
• Hydraulic
• Pneumatic
• Electric
• Fibre Optic

Electrical transducers
• Resistance strain gauge
• Potentiometric
• Differential transformer
• Vibrating wire

3
 Vibrating Wire Sensors
• Not new - developed in the 1930’s
• Proven technology
• Successful track record

Vibrating Wire - Theory

4
 Vibrating Wire

Wire

Coils

Frequency proportional to strain

Vibrating Wire – Advantages

• Frequency output
- can transmit
signals over long
cables

5
Vibrating Wire – Advantages
• Frequency output
- can transmit
signals over long
cables
- not influenced by
water or moisture

Vibrating Wire – Advantages

• Frequency output
- can transmit
signals over long
cables
- not influenced by
water or moisture
- easily datalogged

6
Vibrating Wire – Advantages
• Frequency output
- can transmit
signals over long
cables
- not influenced by
water or moisture
- easily datalogged
• Robust

Vibrating Wire – Advantages

• Frequency output
- can transmit
signals over long
cables
- not influenced by
water or moisture
- easily datalogged
• Robust
• Failsafe

7
Vibrating Wire – Advantages
• Frequency output
- can transmit signals over long cables
- not influenced by water or moisture
- easily data logged
• Robust
• Failsafe
• Long Term Stability

Long Term Stability

• Defined as the change in calibrated
output with respect to time

• Is critical when transducers are installed

and re-calibration is not possible

• Long term testing is an important

indication of long term stability

8
Long term stability data

9
 Vibrating
Vibrating Wire
Wire ––
Disadvantages
Disadvantages
• Can be damaged by electrical surges,
lightning (but are less susceptible than
other types of electrical transducers)

Overvoltage Protection

10
 Lightning Protection
Piezometer Cable

Ground Connection To Terminal Box/Readout Equipment

Ground Stake
Lightning Arrestor Board (LAB-3)
accessible from surface)
(in special enclosure

Piezometer

Lightning Protection
Equipment Shed
Solar Panel
Datalogger (with internal battery)

RF Antenna

AC Power

AC Adaptor

Datalogger/Multiplexer Interconnect Cable

Junction Box or Splice
Ground Connections Phone Line
Piezometer Cables
Multiconductor Cable

Portable Computer
RS-232 Connection
Portable Readout
Manual Switch
Terminal/Multiplexer Box
Grounding Stakes

Ground
Piezometers Connection

11
 Vibrating
Vibrating Wire
Wire ––
Disadvantages
Disadvantages
• Readings sometimes influenced by
electrical interference

VW Sensor Electrical Cable

TECHNICAL
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
SPECIFICATIONS:
•• 4-Conductor,
4-Conductor, 22
22 AWG.
AWG. Each
Each conductor
conductor comprises
comprises 77 xx 30
30 AWG
AWG
stranded
stranded round
round wires
wires of
of commercially
commercially tinned
tinned copper.
copper.
•• Conductors
Conductors form
form 22 twisted
twisted pairs.
pairs. Polypropylene
Polypropylene insulation
insulation over
over each
each
conductor.
conductor. 10-mil
10-mil high
high density.
density.
•• Conductor
Conductor insulations
insulations are
are color
color coded:
coded: one
one pair,
pair, red
red and
and black,
black, one
one
pair,
pair, green
green and
and white.
white.
100%
100% ELECTRICAL
ELECTRICAL SHEILDING:
SHEILDING:
•• Each
Each pair
pair of
of conductors
conductors under
under anan aluminum
aluminum polyester
polyester shield.
shield.
•• 24
24 AWG
AWG stranded
stranded tinned
tinned copper
copper common
common drain
drain wire.
wire.
JACKET:
JACKET:
•• All
All conductors
conductors covered
covered with
with aa jacket
jacket of
of blue
blue pressure
pressure extruded
extruded vinyl.
vinyl.
•• Jacket
Jacket thickness
thickness == 0.065”.
0.065”.
•• Nominal
Nominal O.D.
O.D. = 0.250” ±± 0.010”.
= 0.250” 0.010”.

12
 Vibrating Wire DSP Interface

The VW Digital Signal Processor utilizes a digital processing

and filtering technique to eliminate errant readings and
transfer the result to the data acquisition system in digital
format.

13
Overview of commonly used
geotechnical instruments for
deep excavation construction

Braced Excavations
• What are the initial site conditions?
• Is the bracing being installed correctly?
• Is the excavation stable?
• Are adjacent structures affected?
• Is an individual brace overloaded?
• What is the magnitude and distribution of
load in the support system?
• Is the groundwater table being lowered?
• Is excessive bottom heave occurring?
• What is the long-term performance of the
support system?

14
 Instruments
Instruments suitable
suitable for
for monitoring
monitoring
whether
whether excavation is stable and
excavation is stable and whether
whether
nearby
nearby structures
structures are
are being
being affected
affected
adversely
adversely by
by ground
ground movements.
movements.

Measurement Suitable Instruments

Settlement of ground surface, structures, Surveying methods
and top of supporting wall Rod settlement gages

Horizontal deformation of ground surface, Surveying methods

structures, and exposed part of supporting wall Convergence gages

Change in width of cracks in structures and utilities Crack gages

Subsurface horizontal deformation of ground Inclinometers

Fixed borehole extensometers
In-place inclinometers

Subsurface settlement of ground and utilities Subsurface settlement points

Probe extensometers
Fixed borehole extensometers

Load in internal bracing Surface-mounted vibrating wire strain gages

Calibrated hydraulic jack and load cell

Load in external bracing Load cells

Calibrated hydraulic jack and load cell
Surface-mounted vibrating wire strain gages

Groundwater pressure Piezometers

Bottom heave Magnet/reed switch gages

Mechanical heave gages
Fixed borehole extensometers
Inclinometers

15
Select Instruments - 1

Uniform Ground Conditions

16
Optical Survey
• Precision Leveling
–– Precise level
–– Tripod
–– Staff
–– Benchmark
–– Targets
• Total Station Surveying
–– Digital Total Station
–– Tripod
–– Prisms (corner/retro-reflective)

17
Borros Point

Digital
Digital Depth
Depth Micrometer
Micrometer

18
 Probe Extensometers
• Large Range
Nylon Coated Steel Tape
Reed Switch Probe
Top Cap
Top Cap Protective Cover

Manhole
with Cover
Cable Reel
with Audible
• Good accuracy
Spider Magnet
(push-in type)
Telescoping Coupling
with O-ring Seals • High sensitivity
• Easy Installation
Soft Bentonite Grout

Plate Magnet
Telescoping Coupling

• High compliance
with O-ring Seals

Fill

Flush Coupled
Access Tube

• Good anchorage in
(or Inclinometer Casing)

Flush Coupled

soft ground
Access Tube
Spider Magnet (or Inclinometer Casing)
(mechanically released)

Datum Magnets Datum Magnets

End Cap End Cap

Borehole Installation Installation in Fill

19
Probe Extensometer anchors
(Spider magnets)
Anchor Pull-Cable

Masking Tape

Fixed Borehole Extensometers

20
 Extensometers

Extensometer Anchors

21
Extensometer Head
Assembly

22
Inclinometer Probe, Cable,
Readout and Casing

Inclinometer Casing

Inclinometer Survey
ΣL sin θ

Casing Alignment
(exaggerated) L sin θ

θ
True Vertical
Reading Interval L

23
Plot of Borehole Deflection
Deflection Change
− +
Borehole Top

Zone of Movement

Borehole Bottom

In-Place Inclinometers

24
 VW Crackmeters
Instrument Cable Coil & Thermistor Housing Nylon Tie Ball Elbow Joint
(4 conductor, 22 AWG)
Transducer Housing Transducer Shaft

Cotter Pin Cotter Pin

Alignment Slot Alignment Pin

Threaded Stud (1/4-28 thread) Ball Elbow Joint Thread Adaptor Threaded Stud (1/4-28 thread)

25
 3-Dimensional VW
Crackmeter Installation

26
Vibrating Wire Tiltmeters

Electrolytic Tilt Sensors

27
28
 Tape Extensometer

Tunnel Lining

Anchor Point
Tape Extensometer

Anchor Point

Eye Hook
Right-Hand Thread

Turnbuckle

Convergence Meter
Left-Hand Thread

Swagelok Fitting
Thermistor

Instrument Cable

Electromagnetic Coil

Transducer Housing

Alignment Slot & Pin Spring

Transducer Shaft

Swagelok Fitting

Connecting Rod

Swagelok Fitting

Eye Hook

29
Select Instruments - 2

Mixed Ground Conditions

30
Observation Wells

31
Piezometers

32
 Vibrating Wire Piezometer
Hermetically sealed and evacuated space (unvented) Thermistor Wires
Filter Piezometer Housing
Plasma Surge Arrestor
Wire Grip
Piezometer Body Cable
Filter Housing Thermistor
O-rings Magnet Coil Wire
O-ring

O-ring
O-rings Coil Wire

Wire Grip

Vibrating Wire Pole Piece

Ground Connection

Pluck and Read Coils Internal Bulkhead Seal

Pressure Sensitive Diaphragm

The Model 4500S Standard Piezometer is designed to measure fluid pressures such as ground
water elevations and pore pressures when buried directly in embankments, fills, etc. It is also
suitable for installation inside boreholes, observation wells and standard ( >19 mm (0.75 in.)
diameter) piezometer riser pipe. The Model 4500AL is designed for low-pressure ranges. The
vented version (Model 4500ALV) provides automatic compensation for barometric pressure
changes. Thermistors are included to measure temperatures.

33
 Roctest/Telemac CL-1

These piezometers are designed to enable the automation of small diameter piezometer
standpipes. The Model 4500B fits inside 19 mm (0.75 in.) diameter Sch. 80 pipe and the
Model 4500C inside 12 mm (0.5 in.) diameter Sch. 80 pipe.

34
The Model 4500DP Drive Point Piezometer has the transducer located inside a housing with an EW
drill rod thread and removable pointed nose cone. This model is ideally suited for use in soft clays.
and may be recovered at the end of the job.
The Model 4500DPX is similar in construction to the 4500DP but uses a standard cone
penetrometer thread allowing for installation using conventional cone penetrometer rods.

Model 4500MLP Multilevel Piezometer

system overcomes the problems associated with the installation

of multiple piezometers in a single drill hole. The 4500MLP is
lowered into position and a spring loaded apparatus is actuated
forcing specially configured piezometer filter elements into firm
contact with the borehole walls. The borehole is then grouted
from the bottom in one quick and simple operation. The design
obviates the need for sand lenses around the piezometer tips.

35
Fibre Optic Piezometers
• Intrinsically Safe
• Immune to EMI/RFI
& Lightning
• Long-term reliability
• +/- 0.25% FS
Accuracy
Photo courtesy of Roctest • High resolution
• Rugged design

36
 Vibrating Wire Strain Gage
Model 4000

Vibrating Wire Strain Gage

Coil & Thermistor Housing Instrument Cable

Mounting Block (4 conductor, 22 AWG)
O-ring Sealed End Block
Thermistor Pluck & Read Coils Set Screws (2 places)
Set Screw (oval point)
(cone point)
Wire Grip Mounting Block
Protective Tube
Wire Grip

Wire
Gage Length
(6.250", 159 mm)

37
 Strain Gages on Steel Beams
Best
Best Location
Location

•(a) good, but doesn’t measure

bending around the major axis
•(b) best, measures bending
about both axes
•(c) not good, susceptible to
local bending of the flanges
•(d) OK, but difficult to protect
•(e) not good, cannot account
for any bending

Spot Weldable Strain Gages

Vibrating Wire types
Geokon Inc.

Fibre Optic type

Roctest

38
Installation of Model 4150
Strain Gage

39
 Load Cells

Vibrating Wire Load Cell

(3
(3 Gage)
Gage)
Side View Top View
Vibrating Wire Gages (3)
Cover Screws
Cover
Instrument Cable

ID
(Inner Diameter)

Kellems Grip

OD
(Outer Diameter)

40
 Load Cell Monitoring
Permanent Load
Bearing Plates

Lock Off Nut

Tendon or Rod
Load Cell

Wale

Soldier Pile

Anchor Zone

Load Cell for Proof Testing

Bearing Plates

Loading Shoe

Hydraulic Jack

Load Cell
Tendon or Rod
Lock Off Nut

Wale

Soldier Pile

Anchor Zone

41
Vibrating Wire Strandmeter

Gage Clamp Model 4410 Strandmeter Gage Clamp

Strand

42
 Vibration Monitoring
Construction monitoring
• for both continuous and
transient vibrations.
• usually performed to
comply with local
regulations
• often requires
monitoring of three
ground and one air-
overpressure channels.

Strain Gages for Piles,

Caissons & Slurry Walls

43
 Vibrating Wire Strain Gages
(Embedment type)

Vibrating Wire Embedment

Strain Gage
Instrument Cable
Coil & Thermistor Housing (4 conductor, 22 AWG)
O-ring Sealed End Block

O-ring Sealed End Block ThermistorPluck & Read Coils

Protective Tube
Wire Grip (encased with shrink tube) Wire Grip

Wire
Gage Length
(6", 152 mm)

44
 Embedment Strain gage
mounting details

Embedment gage in
Pre-stressed Concrete Pile

45
 Sister Bars

• Alternative to Strain
Gages
• Robust, not easily
damaged by
concrete placement
• Sometimes welded
directly into the
rebar cage

Sister Bar Type Strain Gage

46
 Sister Bar Installation
Instrument Cables

Reinforcing Rebar
Instrument Cable or Strand

Reinforcing Rebar
or Strand

Wire Tie
(2 places)
Rebar Strain Meter

Rebar Strain Meter

(3 places, 120° apart)

Wire Tie

Tied to Reinforcing Rebar Tied to Reinforcing Rings

Sister Bar and 4200 Strain

Gage installation

47
 Retrievable Extensometer

• High Sensitivity
• Re-usable
• Simple installation

Retrievable
Retrievable
Extensometer
Extensometer
Installation
Installation Details
Details
• Designed for 2 inch ID steel
or plastic pipes cast in the
concrete
• Pneumatically actuated
anchors

48
 Pressure cells in slurry wall

Jack-out Pressure Cells

49
 Multipoint leveling system
to measure differential
settlements in buildings

Multipoint leveling systems

50
Model 4675 Multipoint Liquid
Level System

Multipoint Liquid Level

System

51
Taking Readings:
The
The change
change in
in elevation
elevation for
for any
any particular
particular vessel
vessel in a system
system is
is
determined
determined as
as follows:
follows:

ΔEL
ΔELxx =
= (R
(R1x – R 0x )) G
1x – R0x Gxx –– (R
(R1Ref – R 0Ref )) G
1Ref – R0Ref G Ref
Ref

where:
where: ΔEL
ΔELxx =
= Change
Change in in Elevation
Elevation for
for vessel
vessel xx
RR1x
1x
=
= Current
Current Reading
Reading vessel
vessel xx
RR0x
0x
=
= Initial
Initial Reading
Reading vessel
vessel xx
GGxx =
= Gage
Gage Factor
Factor vessel
vessel xx
RR0Ref
0Ref
=
= Initial Reading Reference
Initial Reading Reference vessel
vessel
RR1Ref
1Ref
=
= Current
Current Reading
Reading Reference
Reference vessel
vessel
GGRef
Ref
=
= Gage
Gage Factor
Factor Reference
Reference vessel
vessel
Note:
Note: Negative
Negative values of ΔEL
values of ΔELxx indicate
indicate settlement.
settlement. (Positive
(Positive values of ΔEL
values of ΔELxx indicate
indicate heave).
heave).

Example:-
The initial readings on a 4 vessel system
(3 active plus one reference vessel) are as follows:

Vessel
Vessel Gage
Gage Factor*
Factor* Zero
Zero Reading
Reading Current
Current Reading
Reading
11 (Ref)
(Ref) 0.002852
0.002852 7163
7163 7118
7118
22 0.002856
0.002856 7858
7858 7813
7813
33 0.002808
0.002808 7967
7967 8628
8628
44 0.002852
0.002852 8028
8028 7637
7637

** inches/freq
inches/freq sqd
sqd digit
digit

52
 The changes in elevation of
vessels 2, 3 and 4 are:
Vessel
Vessel No.
No. 2:
2: Vessel
Vessel No.
No. 3:
3:
ΔEL
ΔEL22 =
= (R
(R12 – R 02)) G
12 – R02 G22 –– (R
(R11 – R 01)) G
11 – R01 G11 ΔEL
ΔEL33 =
= (R
(R13 – R 03)) G
13 – R03 G33 –– (R
(R11 – R 01)) G
11 – R01 G11
=
= (7813
(7813 –– 7858)
7858) 0.002856
0.002856 =
= (8628
(8628 –– 7967)
7967) 0.002808
0.002808
–– (7118
(7118 –– 7163)
7163) 0.002852
0.002852 –– (7118
(7118 –– 7163)
7163) 0.002852
0.002852
=
= –– 0.1285
0.1285 –– (–(– 0.1283)
0.1283) =
= 1.8561
1.8561 –– (–
(– 0.1283)
0.1283)
=
= –– 0.0002″
0.0002″ =
= 1.9843″
1.9843″
No
No Movement
Movement Heave
Heave

Vessel
Vessel No.
No. 4:
4:
ΔEL
ΔEL44 =
= (R
(R14 – R 04)) G
14 – R04 G44 –– (R
(R11 – R 01)) G
11 – R01 G11
=
= (7637
(7637 –– 8028)
8028) 0.002852
0.002852
–– (7118
(7118 –– 7163)
7163) 0.002852
0.002852
=
= –– 1.1151
1.1151 –– (–
(– 0.1283)
0.1283)
=
= –– 0.9868″
0.9868″
Settlement
Settlement

Readout Instruments

53
Vibrating Wire Readouts

Data Acquisition Systems

&
Presentation Software

54
SOLAR PANEL
DATA RETREIVAL

DATA PRESENTATION
DATALOGGER TH16 - Settlement vs. Time

5.00 DS1 (ft) Upper

DS2 (ft) Middle
4.50
DS3 (ft) Low er

4.00 DS (ft) Total

Sett. Plate
3.50

3.00

Settlement (ft)
2.50

2.00

1.50

1.00

0.50

0.00
11-Oct 30-Nov 19-Jan 10-Mar 29-Apr 18-Jun 7-Aug

Tim e

SENSORS

 ALARM

Data Acquisition Systems

Datalogger Multiplexer

55
 Communication

Direct Connect Satellite

Multidrop network Radio

Ethernet TCP/IP Telephone Cellular Phone

Data Presentation Software

56
 Conclusions
• Deployment of instruments is fundamental to
achieving good quality (and quantity) of data
• The importance of background monitoring
cannot be over emphasized
• Weather and environmental conditions can
influence data quality.
• Instrumentation data is …
Only as reliable as the sensors
themselves!

Errors – can
can be
be removed
removed by
by

• Training
• Careful supervision
• Regular equipment maintenance
• Data validation systems
• Systematic data collection and
processing

57
 Project costs

Instrumentation
2% - 3%

Project

Instrumentation costs

10%
50% Analysis Instruments

20%
Installation
20% Readings

58
 Geokon Inc.
Selected Case Studies

59
 Red Line Tunnel
Central Artery Project
Boston, Mass., USA

Central Artery Project |

Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Project Details:
ƒ Largest, most complex and
most expensive infrastructure
project in the U.S.
ƒ Cost more than
$10,000,000,000
ƒ Construction started in 1991:
“to be completed” in 2015
ƒ 8 lanes wide, 3.5 miles long

Instruments used:
ƒ Piezometers
ƒ Strain gages
ƒ Load cells
ƒ Extensometers

60
Aerial view of the project site

61
Red Line Tunnel

62
Vibrating Wire Jointmeter

63
Vibrating Wire Strain gage

64
Vibrating Wire Liquid Level Vessel

65
 Vibrating Wire Liquid Level System
with protective cover and Datalogger
Multiplexer

66
67
Lehrter Bahnhof,
Berlin, Germany

Lehter Banhoff

68
Underwater Extensometers

• 5-position
extensometer
• Borros type
hydraulic anchors
• 200mm range VW
displacement
sensors
• With integral
datalogger

Underwater Extensometer

69
Underwater Extensometer
Installation
Installation Sequence
Sequence

Displacement Transducer
Positioning Mechanism

70
Displacement Transducer
Positioning Mechanism

71
Degendamm Project,
Austria

72
Cross-section of the slope
(showing
(showing existing
existing and
and new
new retaining
retaining
measures)
measures)

73
74
75
 Socket Monitoring Program
• 3 sockets, with • 2 sockets, with
Type 1 instruments Type 2 instruments
– Earth Pressure Cells – Inclinometers
– Inclinometers – Geodetic Survey
– Extensometers
– Geodetic Survey

76
 Model 4850 Pressure Cells

Pressure Cell Construction

Seal Screw Pinch Tube Mounting Lug Stress Cell Transducer Housing Instrument Cable
(4 places) (4 conductor, 22 AWG)

Top View

Side View

77
Pressure Cell Installation 1

Pressure Cell Installation 2

78
Pressure Cell Installation 3

Temperatures and Pressures

after Installation

79
 Earth Pressure
Measurements at 50m Depth

Lateral Earth Pressure

Distribution

80
 Model A-9
Retrievable Extensometer

Retrievable
Extensometer

• Designed for 2 inch ID steel

or plastic pipes cast into the
concrete pile
• Pneumatically actuated
anchors

81
82
 Model A-9 Retrievable
Extensometer Anchor
Anchor
Transducer Cable
Swagelok for Connecting Rod
Pistons (8 places)
Transducer

51 mm 429 mm
2.0" 16.875"

Transducer Shaft
Connecting Rod

Nylon Inflation Line

Cable & Tube Slot (4 places)

Top View

Anchor Pull-out Test Results

Retrievable Extensometer (Model A-9) Anchor Pull Out Tests
300 4 Piston Anchor
Stainless Steel Pipe
PVC Pipe
250

200
Pull Out in Lbs.

150

100

50

0
150 200 300 440
Applied Pressure in Psi

83
 Vibrating Wire Displacement
Transducer

Nylon Tie Coil & Thermistor Housing Instrument Cable

(4 conductor, 22 AWG)
Transducer Shaft Transducer Housing

Alignment Pin Alignment Slot

Retrievable Extensometer
Assembly 1

84
Retrievable Extensometer
Assembly 2

Retrievable Extensometer
Assembly 3

85
Retrievable Extensometer
Installation 1

Retrievable Extensometer
Installation 2

86
Retrievable Extensometer
Installation 3

Pressure Supply, Regulator

and Manifold

87
 Inclinometer System

Inclinometer Data during

Excavation of Shaft Sockets

88
Data Acquisition System

Data Acquisition System

89
 References
• Slope Stabilization with Socket Walls using
the Observational Method
•• H. Brandl & S. Blovsky
–– Institute
Institute for
for Soil
Soil Mechanics
Mechanics &
& Geotechnical
Geotechnical Engineering,
Engineering,
Technical
Technical University
University Vienna,
Vienna, Austria
Austria
• Verdubelung eines Rutschhanges mit 55m
tiefen Stahlbetonbrunnen
•• S. Blovsky & W.Hornich
–– Institute
Institute for
for Soil
Soil Mechanics
Mechanics &
& Geotechnical
Geotechnical Engineering,
Engineering,
Technical
Technical University
University Vienna,
Vienna, Austria
Austria
–– Insond
Insond Speziztiefbau
Speziztiefbau GmbH,
GmbH, Vienna
Vienna

90