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Types of Instruments

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Geotechnical Instrumentation and Applications

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Abstract

There are several types of geotechnical instruments. Some measure deformation, and other measure pressure and stress. In order to manage the geotechnical issues likely to encounter during and after construction, two basic categories of geotechnical instrumentation programmes are usually implemented.

Category A

Measurement of Ground behaviour during construction in order to control the construction process.

Category B

Monitoring of performance of ground during loading, unloading and soil improvement process.

By measuring deformations and stresses, progress leading to failure or progress of improvement can be detected. With systematic planning of monitoring frequencies, infrastructure can be built safely without failure by applying the observational method using data from geotechnical instruments installed in accordance with Category A. On the other hand, degree of soil improvement can be verified using monitoring data collected through geotechnical instrument installed in accordance with Category B. In both cases, any rectification required due to unforeseen or unexpected performances can be implemented when the monitoring data collected and interpreted results indicate as an alert. This chapter will walk through several types of geotechnical instrument available in the market to measure respective deformations, strains, stresses and pressures within/underneath and on the earth masses and structural elements.

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Abbreviations

L :

length measured along the casing

θ :

Angle from vertical line

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bo & Associates Inc., Tottenham, ON, Canada

    Myint Win Bo

  2. GEOKON, Lebanon, NH, USA

    Jeffrey Barrett

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  1. Myint Win Bo
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  2. Jeffrey Barrett
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Bo, M.W., Barrett, J. (2023). Types of Instruments. In: Geotechnical Instrumentation and Applications. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-34275-2_3

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