Monitoring and Instrumentation Best Practice

In spite of the sophistication varying, real time computer monitoring of pressure grouting parameters is now readily available and often used. Although a wide variety of geotechnical and structural instrumentation is also readily available, its use to detect changes in the affected geomaterial, the ground surface, or influence on nearby structures, and substructure during grouting, is not so common. The use of these modern tools to control the grout injection, however, allows us to work safely, even in the most sensitive and developed urban environments and industrial settings, containing both surface, and underground piping, structures, and substructure. A timely review of readily available geotechnical and structural instruments, and their advantageous use in grouting is made along with discussion of various computer monitoring techniques and use. Optimal display and application of monitoring data will be discussed, as well as its value for sharing, further analysis, and as permanent documentation of the actual grouting work. Some brief case histories of actual use, and how the combination of these two valuable monitoring tools allowed sensitive grouting applications to be made safely, is provided.