Comprehensive real-time field monitoring at active embankment subjected to tidal loading

Assessing the health of and maintaining civil infrastructure has been an increased concern in the wake of recent natural disasters. The variability of properties within geotechnical systems makes predictions of soil behavior extremely difficult, especially when soil models are not calibrated with field-measured performance. Accordingly, MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems)-based in-place inclinometer systems, such as Measurand's ShapeAccelArray (SAA), have been developed to meet this need for in situ, real-time monitoring of levees and other earthen structures. The SAA system has now been further developed to include digitally integrated pore pressure measurement using vibrating wire piezometers equipped with microprocessors (called SAAPs). In situ testing was conducted in a levee in England subjected to significant tidal loading, increasing the likelihood of the levee to experience deformation; density of installed instrumentation made it an ideal location to test the new SAAP system. The additional insight into subsurface behavior provided by SAAPs is integral in development of a comprehensive system for monitoring and management of civil infrastructure. Preliminary testing indicates the suitability of this new multi-parameter system for inclusion in multi-scale monitoring and health assessment frameworks to be implemented at other sites.