Lecture 10: Instrumentation, Monitoring and Testing

Source of Information

• Encardio Rite: Geotechnical Instrumentation & Structural Monitoring

• Guide to Geotechnical Instrumentation
• https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Testing_construction_mat
erials
• https://www.bdc.com.hk/
• 4 Types of geotechnical testing: What is the best option for you? -
Vertek CPT
Contents

• Part 1. Introduction
• Part 2. Types of Instrumentation & Monitoring
• Part 3. Testing
• Part 4. Engineering significance
• Part 5: Implication for Digital Construction
Part 1: Introduction

• Instrumentation is a collective term for measuring instruments that

are used for indicating, measuring and recording physical quantities.
(Wikipedia)
• Instrumentation can refer to devices as simple as direct-
reading thermometers, or as complex as multi-sensor components
of industrial control systems. Today, instruments can be found in
laboratories, refineries, factories and vehicles, as well as in everyday
household use (e.g., smoke detectors and thermostats)
Purpose

To get the truth out of the reality.

• Instrumentation measures the performance.
• Monitoring can tell us what is happening with time
• Testing verify the properties, design assumptions or effectiveness of
technical solutions.

All of the above enables an engineer to get direct/indirect message

about performance of the structure (soil structure).
Part 2: Types of Instrumentation &
Monitoring in Civil Engineering
Instrumentation
• Geotechnical Instrumentation
• Structural Instrumentation
• Other Instrumentation
2.1 Geotechnical Instrumentation &
Monitoring
• Geotechnical instrumentation refers to the various instruments used
to monitor geotechnical structures, sites, and the environment.
• The geotechnical monitoring can be done for both the short-term as
well as the long-term safety of the structures.
• Geotechnical instrumentation is used in pre-construction,
construction stage, post-construction as well as in the dilapidation
stage.
Typical Instruments
1. Data Logger
• They are essentially an electronic device which records the data
continuously with the help of an in-built instrument or through an
interfaced one. The longevity of the operation of the data logger is
dependent on the backup and memory capacity. Battery-operated
devices which can be set to record data from 5 to 168 seconds in the
linear mood. They also come with a power supply option.

Structural Health Monitoring: Instrumentation & Monitoring

During Construction - Encardio Rite
2. Piezometer
• Piezometer, also known as pore water pressure meter is a
geotechnical instrument employed to monitor and determine the
pore pressure in standpipes, boreholes, embankments, rolled-earth
fills, and interface of retaining structures.
• These are extremely essential devices as it draws attention to the
potentially dangerous situations that may have an adverse effect on
the structure, foundation, and appurtenant.
• Common types include electric piezometers, hydraulic piezometers,
pneumatic piezometers, vibrating wire piezometers, etc.
3. Inclinometer
• Coming to another geotechnical instrument that is largely used for
structures like retaining/diaphragm walls, piles, etc, an inclinometer is
utilised for the purpose of measuring the magnitude of inclination or
tilt and its variation with time.
• The collection of Inclinometer includes Digital Inclinometer System,
Vertical In-Place Inclinometer System, Wireless In-place Inclinometer,
and Inclinometer Settlement System. They also deal with the most
advanced MEMS Digital Inclinometer Systems in the world.
4 Extensometers
• Extensometers are widely used in the civil engineer world as they are
designed for the measurement of the deformation of the rock mass
and adjacent/surrounding soil.
• Available Extensometers ranges from Electrical, Magnetic, Digital, to
Mechanical Extensometers as well.
2.2 Application of Geotechnical Instruments
Ref:
2.3 Types of Structural Instruments
Structural Instrumentation & Monitoring
Structural Monitoring System is installed for tracking long-term
performance of civil structures including bridges and buildings.
It can monitor structural movement over the long-term such as:
• Motion of bridge piers or building walls,
• the status of cracks in concrete and masonry,
• and strain levels induced during construction.
Data can be recorded manually or automatically and configured by the
user to record data for a few days, weeks, months, or years. The
system can also record temperature, humidity, wind speed and
direction.
What is Structural Health Monitoring?
• Structural Health refers to the structure’s performance; either before,
during, or after construction. This is essentially carried out to gauge
the construction site as well as the nearby asset, ensuring nothing
shall be harmed during the process.
• Structural Health Monitoring aims to provide the structure with a
diagnosis, assuring it remains in the domain specified in the design
while understanding the full history database of the structure. The
damage here is defined in the terms of changes in material, geometric
properties, boundary conditions, system connectivity, and anything
else which affects the performance.
Structural Health Monitoring: Instrumentation & Monitoring
During Construction - Encardio Rite
Structural Movement and Deformation
investigation
• Some typical applications for structural sensors:
• Nearby construction work
• Renovation, upgrading, extension, underpinning project
• The appearance of structural issues, such as cracks
• Load increases (greater bridge traffic volumes, a change of machine type in a
production plant, a change in the type of warehouse use, creation of
additional floors in a building, etc.)
Pressure Cells
• Pressure Cells, as the name suggests, are used
for the measurement of total pressure in earth
fills, embankment, and on the surface of
retaining walls, building, bridge abutments, etc.
They can also be used to gauge the stress in mass
concrete.
• Different types of Pressure Cells includes
Concrete Pressure Cell, Soil and Rock-Concrete
Interface Pressure Cell, Jack Out Pressure Cell,
Earth Soil Pressure Cell, and Shotcrete-Concrete
Stress Cell.
Part 3: Monitoring Data

• Data collection
• Manual
• Automatic
• How was the data used?
• Prevent of failure
• Smart engineering
• Maintenance
• Data Security
Pitfalls in Data Analysis

• Instrumentation limitations
• Disconnection between design and construction team
• Disconnection between theory and reality
• 1D consolidation theory vs 3D construction
DWSS - Digital Works Supervision System

• The Development Bureau has published a Technical Circular on Digital

Works Supervision System (DWSS) (ref. DevB TC (W) No. 3/2020)
intending to enhance the standard and efficiency of work supervision
as well as the quality and safety of works.
• Project tender above $300 million on or after 1st April 2020 will be
required to adopt the Digital Works Supervision System (DWSS) as
one of their new Technical Requirements.
 Part 4: Testing - Why
The testing of construction materials can be:
• Physical
• Chemical
• Verifying quantity
• Checking for damage

Testing may be necessary:

• As part of a quality control system.
• To verify that materials comply with the required specification.
• To achieve certification.
• To demonstrate compliance with legislative requirements, such as the building regulations.
4.1 Testing: Categories

• Testing for Structural Engineering

purposes
• Testing construction materials
• Testing for Structural Diagnosis
• Geotechnical Testing
4.2 Testing for Structural Engineering

Testing Construction Materials

Source:
https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Testing_co
nstruction_materials
ACI Slump Test: ASTM C143 Concrete Slump 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDUQO-bn8pU
Test cubes

These can be made and crushed in a laboratory to check that the

cured concrete has obtained the required design strength.
A standard 150 x 150 x 150 mm steel test cube mould is used,
thinly coated inside with mould oil. A concrete sample is taken
from the discharge outlet of mixer or from the point of placing on
site. The mould is filled in three equal layers (50 mm each),
each layer being well tamped with at least 35 strokes.
The sample cube is covered with a damp sack or other covering
and left for 24 hours at a temperature of 4.4-21°C. The sample is
then removed from the mould and stored in water at
a temperature 10-21°C until required for testing.
The cubes are generally tested at 7 and 28 days, using a
calibrated compression machine. The cubes are tested on the face
perpendicular to the casting face. A constant progressing force is
exerted until the cubes fail. The reading at the failure is the
maximum compressive strength of the concrete.
Video for Test
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U14tZ-lirTo
Testing for Structural Diagnosis

Source: Structure Diagnosis | BDC

Flaw Detection | BDC
 4.3 Geotechnical Testing
• Geotechnical testing is performed by geotechnical engineers, geotechnical technicians,
or engineering geologists to understand the characteristics such as the physical properties that
exist underneath a work site.
• An essential part of the planning and constructing building and infrastructure projects (comprising
various types of structures as a foundation, roads, bridges, excavation pit, land reclamation, beach
nourishment, etc.) is the knowledge of the subsurface conditions.
• The geotechnical investigation with its respective services shall be carried out. Their nature and
extent depend on the structure’s type, the size of the structure, and the expected ground conditions.
• Geotechnical testing is conducted by site characterization, laboratory testing, and professional
interpretation of data obtained to complete the design and construction of the site improvement.
• Other than laboratory testing, geotechnical tests generally fall into 4 categories, test
pits, trenching, boring and in situ testing.
4 Types of geotechnical testing: What is the best option for
you? - Vertek CPT
• Test Pits
• Test pits are much like you would expect, a pit is dug either manually or with an excavator in order to reveal the subsurface
conditions to the depth desired. Generally, this is for siting shallow foundations.
• Trenching
• Trenching is similar to test pits except that in this case, the pit is elongated over some distance in order to establish how the
subsurface conditions change over various parts of the worksite. This method allows for identification of different sedimentary
changes over a longer distance.
• A range of soil samplers can be used to extract test samples from these test pits for lab analysis and visual identification.
• Boring
• Borings, usually deployed by a drill rig and drill crew, can vary in diameter and provide the opportunity to assess density through
standard penetration testing (SPT) to physically remove soil or rock samples for assessment and testing.
• Borings provide the advantage of assessing field density and letting you observe the actual materials extracted. Generally, soil
samples from the above tests are taken to a lab where they are evaluated. Borings offer you the opportunity to set piezometers
to assess groundwater table seasonal fluctuations.
• Insitu Testing
In Situ Testing
Introduction
• In situ testing can be used to determine the density or shear strength of soils,
particularly sands, gravels, saturated clays and silts. The main advantage of
testing in this way is that it can be undertaken without undue disturbance of the
soil.
• As well as soil property information, in situ soil testing allows for groundwater
pressure to be measured and moisture content data to be gathered, which can be
safety-critical factors.
• There are four main tests are:
• SPT/CPT
• Vane test
• Plate bearing test
• California bearing ratio (CBR).
SPT & CPT

• Most common in situ testing methods include penetration tests such

as Standard Penetration Tests (SPT), which penetrate via drilling,
percussion-based investigation techniques, sonic vibratory drilling
methods, and various static direct push Cone Penetrometer
Testing/Cone Penetration Testing (CPT).
Standard Penetration Test

• This test involves measuring the soil’s resistance to penetration under static or
dynamic loading. It is commonly used for testing sands and gravels, and can
establish the relative density of soils.
• A 35 mm (internal diameter) split-barrel sampler (a central tube that splits in two
when unscrewed) is driven into the soil at the base of a bore hole. It is first driven
150 mm into the soil, or given 25 blows, by a standard weight. This is usually 65
kg falling 760 mm. The sample is driven another 300 mm and a record is kept of
the number of blows required to achieve each further 75 mm of penetration.
• The table below gives some sample data results (for illustrative purposes only).
SPT Correlations SPT and Young’s Modulus: E = 1N?

Geoguide 1
NO. OF CONSIST COMPRESSIVE
BLOWS ENCY STRENGTH IN
kN/m2
0–2 Very soft 0 – 25
2–5 Soft 25 – 50
5 – 10 Medium 50 – 100
10 – 16 Stiff 100 – 200
16 – 30 Very stiff 200 – 400
Over 30 Hard Over 400
SPT
SPT
 Cone Penetrometer Testing - YouTube
CPT
 Vane test
• This test is used to estimate the shear strength of soft cohesive soils.
It is common used in saturated clays, and will be yield unreliable
results if the clay contains silt or sand.
• The apparatus consists of a four-blade stainless steel vane attached to
the end of a steel rod. This is inserted into the soft clay and hand-
rotated at a constant rate. The amount of torque (how much force is
required to enable rotation) is measured and from this the shear
strength calculated. The advantage of this test is that it is time and
cost efficient and also does not disturb the soil.
Plate Bearing Test
• This test is used as a means of determining the ultimate bearing capacity of the
ground and the likely behaviour of soils under a given load.
• A pit is first excavated to the depth of the proposed foundations or other
structure and a steel plate, ranging from 300 – 1,000 mm, is lowered into place.
The plate is then loaded in incrementally, either by applying kentledge (concrete
blocks or steel billets) or by means of a hydraulic jack, until the plate starts to
settle at rapidly. The settlements corresponding to each load increment are
recorded. Source: https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/
• The value of the soil’s ultimate bearing capacity is calculated by dividing the total
value of load on the plate by the area of the steel plate. A safety factor is also
applied, which is usually taken as one-third of that load which causes failure.
• Whilst this is a commonly used test, care should be taken since the pressure
exerted during the test is often much smaller than from the foundation itself
which could lead to settlement occurring.
 California bearing ratio test (CBR)
• As a result of pavement failures in the late-1920s, the California Division of Highways designed
the CBR test as a means of determining the thickness of materials required for road and
pavement construction. Particle sizes of a maximum of 20 mm can be tested in this way; the plate
bearing test being more suitable for larger particle sizes.
• The test is carried out by recording the required pressure for penetrating a soil sample. This is
done by driving a small cylindrical plunger of a known cross-sectional area into soil at a given rate.
Tests are carried out in 20-30 m intervals along the centre line of the proposed construction, and
usually on soil at least 1 m below ground level. The measured pressure is divided by the pressure
required to achieve an equal penetration on a standard crushed stone sample.
• The CBR value will be higher depending on the hardness of the surface being tested. Typical
values are as follows:
• Clay (2%).
• Sands (10%).
• High quality sub-base (80-100%).
Geophysical Test
What are the geotechnical testing types?

• Geotechnical testing methods are used to get critical information

about the physical properties of the substrate, rock, and soil around a
potential construction site.
• Types of Soil Tests for Building Construction
– Moisture content test.
– Atterberg limits tests.
– Specific gravity of soil.
– Dry density of soil.
– Compaction test
4 Types of geotechnical testing: What is the best option for
you? - Vertek CPT
• What is geotechnical testing used for in construction?
• Geotechnical testing is done to investigate subsurface conditions and
materials, determine the physical and chemical properties of the earth
materials, evaluate slopes and soil deposits’ stability, assess the risks posed by
site conditions, design foundations, and monitor site conditions and
foundation construction.
• Who uses geotechnical testing?
• Geotechnical engineers use tools, such as the cone penetration test (CPT), to
estimate the amount of skin and end bearing resistance available in the
subsurface. There are many types of foundations, including piles, caissons,
piers, drilled shafts, and earth stabilized columns.

4 Types of geotechnical testing: What is the best option for

you? - Vertek CPT
Example of Hong Kong Testing Requirement
Sample PS
requirement for
geotechnical
instrumentation
 _ERF003C_ Groundwater Monitoring and Contingency Action

Case Study: AAA levels Plan_R.doc (epd.gov.hk)

Case Study
Case:
Instrumentation and
Monitoring for
Reclamation Works
 We installed a 13-km long fibre-optic network across 81 sensor locations
throughout the cave system to measure the strain and temperature of the
Case from Fugro caves’ central pillars. Our Gaia Insight data portal dashboard presents real-
time information of the entire measurement system.
Based on these critical measurements, the safety levels are continuously
analysed and an alarm is triggered if safety limits are crossed. This allows our
client, the Municipality of Valkenburg, to plan interventions before any
hazardous situation occurs, safeguarding the caves’ stability.

FIBRE-OPTIC CAVE MONITORING

ASSURES PUBLIC SAFETY IN DUTCH
MARL QUARRIES

https://www.fugro.com/about-
fugro/our-expertise/our-work/fibre-
optic-cave-monitoring-assures-public-
safety-in-dutch-marl-quarries
 FT laboratories Ltd.

https://www.ft.com.hk/content/instrumentat
ion%E2%80%94geotechnical-structural
 Part 4. Engineering Significance
• Design & Analysis
• Design parameters
• Can be verified from lab tests/ insitu tests
• Design assumptions may be changed and enhanced may happen if tests/monitoring
reveals other information
• Analysis results
• Monitoring results can be used to calibrate the entire analysis model
• Can predict further movement/stress increase under additional loadings
• In some cases, data can indicate better ways of design or analysis
 GEOGuide 1 on
Groundwater Control

Monitoring can help to

establish design ground
water table
Water table behind retaining
walls can be monitored in
case some drainage path is
clogged or blocked, which
may lead to slope collapse.
 Part 4. Engineering Significance
• Construction
• Can provide cost saving (e.g., tests on rockhead and rock type)
• Can avoid disasters due to wrong design
• Can guide construction practice (e.g. tunnel in soft ground)
• Can be used for enhancing construction safety (monitoring of water table,
stress level etc)
• Can greatly benefit D-B-O process
• Operation
• Can safeguard operation safety (e.g., bridge monitoring)
• Can give warnings before things go wrong
Part 5. Implication for Digital Construction
• The idea of digital twin
• Instrumentation & monitoring and testing provides valuable data which
affects everything about the structure to be built. We can understand
whether the material properties is as assumed, whether the design fit with
the reality and whether there are some design or construction issues by
Instrumentation & monitoring and testing.
• For the life cycle of the project, the structure will deteriorate and need repair.
A detailed monitoring and testing program could predict such scenario such
that intervention can be implemented before building safety is endangered.
• How to know everything is on track?
• How to persuade and communicate?
Discussion

• How can monitoring data be used to enhance design and

construction?
• To use data to make construction better, what regulation changes are
needed?