Why we need to monitor field performance

In geotechnical engineering the Engineer works with a wide range of naturally occurring, heterogeneous material, to which exact numerical values of their engineering properties cannot be assigned.  Laboratory and field testing can only provide a range of possible values, but are not definitive. Geotechnical engineering relies on judgement when selecting the most probable values of the in situ materials. Instrumentation allows for monitoring of performance during construction, and if required, the geotechnical model can be updated and the engineering design revised to take into account the behaviour of the structure. 

What can we measure with Instrumentation?

• Total stress in soil and stress change in rock
• Groundwater pressure
• Load and strain in structural members
• Deformation
• Temperature

Technology is advancing at a breath-taking pace.  We all have apps on our phones that monitor a host of things – heart rate, driving style and exercise to mention a few.  Google monitors our movements, our searches, our buying habits and suggests possible purchases based on our profile.  So monitoring is becoming increasingly commonplace.  We already monitor the passage of time, the amount of fuel in our tank, the speed at which we drive and the temperature of our houses and offices.  There is no reason why monitoring should not become increasingly important in other aspects of our lives, including that of monitoring the behaviour of our structures and underground openings.

The future is already here, so don't be left behind.