For nearly a decade and multiple project phases, GEO-Instruments have been attending site at a housing development project in Seaton, Devon. This is part of an ongoing collaboration with Vertase FLI.
This month, GEO-Instruments returned to site to support the latest phase of ground monitoring works.
Due to soil conditions on site, it’s necessary to prepare the ground before construction can begin on each phase of the project. Specifically, the ground must be consolidated to minimise ground movement or settlement that could occur during or after construction.
In this case, the main contractor is using a surcharging method to achieve the necessary consolidation and stability of the soil. In this process, the ground is covered with a load (an earth mound) greater in mass than that of the final planned development. This surcharge is left in place for an extended period to allow the soil to compress and settle.
This approach to ground preparation is critical in preventing structural damage to the buildings and infrastructure post-construction.
To measure progress and ensure that the expected settlement is achieved, GEO-Instruments have installed a monitoring system in the ground before the surcharge is placed.
This system consists of nine VW Liquid Settlement plates located around the area to be surcharged. The plates are connected via liquid filled tubing to a shared reservoir installed elsewhere on site, away from the monitored area.
Each plate is fitted with a vibrating wire pressure transducer that measures changes in pressure as the plates move relative to the liquid reservoir. The system then calculates liquid head in millimetres based on the pressure values, offering a precise measure of ground movement.
As these instruments use automated data collection, they will measure continuously, providing an ongoing, complete record of settlement over time without the need for manual intervention.
This settlement monitoring scheme is a critical part of ensuring that the ground is adequately measured before construction begins, providing essential information on the ground stability and preventing issues that could compromise the project delivery.
GEO-Instruments is proud to contribute to the success of this project, with their specialized expertise in ground monitoring, we are ensuring that each phase of the development is built on a solid foundation—literally and figuratively.
Read more about our ground settlement monitoring projects.