Geotechnical Monitoring

Home
Sensing
Geotechnical Monitoring

Mode of operation

Geotechnical applications are used where there is a need to monitor and understand ground movement such as in mines or with large geotechnical construction sites. Strain sensor cables are used in most cases. However, there are applications utilizing acoustic sensing to detect and report changes.

Sensor cables are buried in areas of danger, where ground shifts cause a change in fiber strain. Pre-strained cables can be used to detect compression. Acoustic cables are used to detect vibrations caused by motion. Most systems are used where abrupt and significant movements can cause significant damage e.g. rock slides, earthquakes.

Geotechnical applications are the most common of the many in the broader area of geophysical measurement. Solifos has supplied specialized sensing cables and expertise in many other areas including:

Atmospheric science: measurement of wind currents
Global environmental testing: polar cap research
Oceanography: Seismic oilfield detection
Geology and Geophysics: Water flow measurement in cliffs
Geothermal: Temperature monitoring and control

Distributed fiber-optic sensing applications are diverse and growing daily. As a globally recognized pioneer in specialty sensor cable design and installation, Solifos is pleased to provide expert advice and consulting for your application.

Advantages

Access to critical data: Suitable for direct installation in rock and concrete

Continuous data collection:Infinite number of measuring points with just one sensor cable
Maintenance-free: Sensor cables ensure decades of operation
Without power supply: Use without electrical energy supply for the sensors

Application Examples

Landslide/ Slope Monitoring

Global warming has increased the elevation of permafrost zones and the risk of land slides in populated areas. Communities at risk receive early warnings of potential risk and can be evacuated utilizing Solifos’ sensor cables. Large geotechnical and construction projects face similar risks and can be protected by Solifos’ distributed fiber-optic sensing cables.

Installed Products: BRUsens DSS V0, BRUsens DSS V3

Rockfall Detection

Critical transport infrastructure including mountain roads and train lines can be protected from falling rocks utilizing Solifos’ sensing cables. In particular, in cases where falling rock impedes the tracks or street in difficult to reach locations, drivers can be notified ahead of time. In this way, Solifos’ simple fiber-optic sensors replace expensive “Geophones” and special communications technologies

Installed Products: BRUsens DAS AC3, BRUsens DAS AC2

Tunnel Monitoring

Tunnels of all sorts for road traffic, trains or trams are monitored not only for fire risk. Monitoring their structural integrity is also becoming an increasingly important area, in particular for large tunnel projects. Strain sensitive cables can be cemented behind the isolation wall, and when mounted in a parallel spiral indicate changes in 3D-areas.

Installed Products: BRUsens DSS V3, BRUsens DSS V9

PRODUCTS

BRUsens BSSH V13

Hybrid distributed fiber optic sensing cable for strain, temperature and acoustic containing 3 stranded FIMT and a structured PA sheath. FIMTs are freely configurable and usable for up to 1% strain measurement

Product Data Sheet

BRUsens DSS V0

Distributed fiber optic strain gauge cable with metal loose tube, metallic reinforcing wires and an HDPE outer sheath for strain measurement up to 1% Product Data Sheet

BRUsens DSS V3

Distributed fiber optic strain gauge cable with metallic tight buffered tube, metallic reinforcing wires and a structured PA outer sheath for strain measurement up to 1% Product Data Sheet

BRUsens DSS V9

Distributed fiber optic strain gauge cable with metallic tight buffered tube and a structured PA outer sheath for strain measurement up to 1% Product Data Sheet