Instrumentation & Structural Monitoring of Dams
                     Instrumentation that are used in Structural 
Monitoring of Dams
Overview
1. Dam Monitoring Instrumentation – The need for it.
2. The purpose of Dam Monitoring Instrumentation
3. Dam Monitoring – The Solutions
4. Dam Monitoring Instrumentation
5. Dam Monitoring Instrumentation – Concrete Dams
Dam Monitoring Instrumentation – The need for it.
1. Measurement during construction:
2. Measurement after construction is completed
3. Measurement for research
The purpose of Dam Monitoring Instrumentation
Safe operation and functioning of a dam entail monetary advantage and public safety. 
Dam failure can reason catastrophic harm to lifestyles and property. A properly 
instrumentation software makes use of the statistics to consider the security of the 
shape by way of gathering facts and detecting any troubles at a preventable stage.
●The purpose includes:
●Site investigation
●Performance monitoring
●Construction control
●Design verification
●Safety
●Legal protection
Dam Monitoring – The Solutions
As leaders in the geotechnical field, Encardio Rite presents reliable, cost-effective, and complete options 
for the monitoring of extraordinary kinds of dams. From supply, set up and upkeep to seamless statistics 
series and far off monitoring, it presents the whole spectrum of services.
Here are the solutions/sensors that are provided through Encardio Rite for on-line monitoring:
●Different kinds of geotechnical sensors are required for the correct size of a variety of parameters of the 
dam.
●Data Loggers with GSM/GPRS science for computerized monitoring of geotechnical sensors.
●LoRa Nodes and Gateway supplied for computerized monitoring.
●Automatic Total Stations (ATS) are used for Geodetic Monitoring.
●Web Data Management Services with a public cloud that indicators the approved customers and offers 
the facts online.
Dam Monitoring Instrumentation
As previously stated, each dam is unique, and no one-size-fits-all solution can be 
applied to all. It is determined by the dam's size, potential hazards, complexity, 
foundation, and many other factors known as problems and concerns, as well as 
the degree of conservatism in the design criteria. Encardio Rite has created a 
generalised guide for different types of dams based on its involvement with the 
instrumentation of over 200 dams.
Dam Monitoring Instrumentation – Concrete Dams
Instrument Purpose
In the table below, we  Pore pressure meter Gauge the seepage of water/pore pressure of water within the cross-section of the dam
 
talk about the Stress meter Observe the stresses in the concrete dam body
Pore pressure meter To obtain the true stress, the pore pressure is monitored and then adjusted from stress meter readings
different instruments 
Joint meter – uniaxial and triaxial Keep an eye on the joint opening between the blocks
required while 
Tiltmeter Monitor tilt of dam
monitoring Concrete Strain meter rosette Keep a check on the all the deformation caused due to various reasons
No-stress strain meter Observe the responses which occur because of any change in temperature, moisture, and autogenous growth in the concrete of the structure. 
dams along with their This is adjusted from strain meter readings that provide the accurate strain measurement due to stresses in the dams
purpose and location. Automatic water level recorder Monitor water level in reservoir
Let’s take a look. Temperature meter To prevent the micro-cracks during the casting of the concrete blocks, the temperature is monitored using the instrument. Temperature variation can cause stress on the surface of the dam that can result in material fatigue
Uplift pressure meter Monitor water pressure on the base of the dam caused due to water seepage from the reservoir to the foundation. This pressure exerts a vertical 
upward force on the base of the dam and tries to lift it up
Normal plumbline (telecoordinometer) Check the tilt of the dam that is induced by thrust applied by water pressure
Inverted plumbline (telecoordinometer) Gauge the relative displacement that occurs between the foundation base rock and the dam bottom
Digital inclinometer or in-place inclinometer Monitor lateral movement of foundation
Borehole extensometer Observe the relative displacement of the dam bottom concerning the  foundation base rock
Seepage measurement device Monitor the seepage through, around and under embankments
Optical targets and robotic total stations Monitor 3D movements or deformations
Dam Monitoring Instrumentation – Earth and rockfill dam and Concrete 
face rockfill dam (CFRD)
Instrument Objective  
 
Pore Pressure Meter Observe the pore pressure of water across the section of the dam
Soil Pressure Meter Monitor stress and compressive forces
Pore Pressure Meter To gauge the true stress by monitoring the pore pressure and adjusting it to the stress meter reading.
Digital/in-place Inclinometer Keep an eye on the lateral movement of foundation
Settlement cell and magnetic extensometer Check the settlement amount that transpires when the soil is dewatered or loaded.
Automatic water level recorder Observe the reservoir water level
Inclinometer-cum magnetic extensometer Take a look at the lateral movement along with the settlement
Soil extensometer Gauge the soil and rock movement along with the lateral strains & settlement
Seepage measurement device Monitor amount of seepage through, around and under embankments
Optical targets and robotic total stations with Monitor 3D movements or deformations
control box
Strain gages Monitor strain in the concrete face
Useful Links
●Heavy Duty Piezometer (EPP-30V): https://www.encardio.com/geotechnical-instruments/heavy-duty-piezometer
○ Area of application: To measure pore water pressure in the soil, earth/rock-fill foundations and concrete structures.
●Slim Size Piezometer (EPP-40V): https://www.encardio.com/geotechnical-instruments/slim-size-piezometer
○ Area of application: It is designed for measuring pore water pressure in small diameter boreholes and standpipes.
●Electrical Uplift Pressure Sensor (EPU-20V): https://www.encardio.com/geotechnical-instruments/electrical-uplift-pressure-sensor
○ Area of Application: Uplift pressure measuring device consists of a perforated/non-perforated pipe of 50 mm dia of adequate 
strength.
●Digital Seepage Monitoring System (ESM-12S): https://www.encardio.com/geotechnical-instruments/digital-seepage-monitoring-system
○ Area of Application: It is designed for precision measurement and monitoring of seepage in dams or water flow in open channels.
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