Geotechnical Instrumentation for Field Measurements

Mar. 15-17, 2009

Doubletree Hotel

Cocoa Beach, FL

Course Schedule

   
Geotechnical Instrumentation for Field
Measurements
 
Mar. 15-17, 2009 at Doubletree Hotel, Cocoa Beach, FL
 
 
COURSE SCHEDULE
 
 
SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2009
 

 
7:30 am
 
Registration
 
 
8:15
 
Session A. Welcome and Introduction: John Dunnicliff
 
 
8:30
 
Session B.  Why Monitor Performance?: Allen Marr
 
  • Engineering reasons to monitor performance
  • Business reasons to monitor performance
  • Why monitoring of important structures needs to be real-time
  • Q & A at 9:30
 
 
9:40
 
 
Break
 
9:55
 
Session C. Introduction of Participants: All
 
 
10:25
 
Break
 
 
10:40
 
Session D. Systemic Approach to Planning Monitoring Programs, Illustrated by the
15 billion $ Central Artery Project in Boston: John Dunnicliff
 
  • Q & A at 11:40
 
 
11:50
 
Lunch Break
 
 
1:05 pm
 
Session E. Vibrating Wire Instruments, an Overview, Illustrated with Case Histories: Tony Simmonds
 
  • Q & A at 1:25
 
 
 
 
 
1:35
with
15 min
break
at
2:05
 
 
 
Session F, Part 1. Overview of Hardware: John Dunnicliff
  • Measurement of groundwater pressure
    • Observation wells
    • Open standpipe piezometers
    • Vibrating wire piezometers
  • Measurement of deformation
    • Probe extensometers
    • Fixed borehole extensometers
    • Tiltmeters
    • Inclinometers
    • In-place inclinometers
    • Liquid level gages
  • Measurement of earth pressure
    • Embedment earth pressure cells
    • Contact earth pressure cells
  • Measurement of load and strain in structural members
    • Load cells
    • Vibrating wire strain gages
  • Q & A at 3:20
 
 
3:30
 
Break
 
 
3:45
 
Session G.Performance Monitoring with GPS: David Rutledge
 
  • GPS and GNSS overview
  • Schematic of a typical GPS system
  • Formal evaluation of GPS accuracy and repeatability
  • Case histories: Monitoring a block cave mine, monitoring a bridge overpass, monitoring a landslide
  • Q & A at 4:15
 
 
4:25
 
Questions and Discussion
 

       
MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2009
 

 
8:00 am
 
Session H. Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS). Basics, Tiltmeters, Probe Inclinometers, and In-Place Inclinometers: Tony Simmonds
 
  • Q & A at 8:20
 
 
8:30
 
 
Session I. Web-based Monitoring Systems: Roger Chandler
 
  • Data transfer standards
    • Benefits of non propriety data standards
    • Review of available standards
  • Methods and associated problems of data dissemination
  • Use of web-based monitoring systems
  • Q & A at 9:00
 
 
9:10
 
Break
 
 
9:25
 
Session F, Part 2. Overview of Hardware, continued: John Dunnicliff
 
  • Q & A at 10:25
 
 
10:35
 
Break
 
 
10:50
 
Session J. Workshop on Planning a Monitoring Program for an Embankment on Soft Ground: John Dunnicliff
 
 
11:50
 
Lunch break
 
 
1:05 pm
 
Session K. Manual Total Station Monitoring: Colin Hope and Marcelo Chaqui
 
  • Using manual total stations for monitoring
  • Sources of errors and error management
  • Variables that impact on data quality
  • The importance of strong control and baseline readings
  • Presentation, distribution and storage of data
  • Use of the observational method for installation of cost effective shoring systems.
  • Combining different instrument types to develop a responsive monitoring program. 
  • Correlating data from different instrument types and theoretical modeling to better under the performance of the systems.
  • Q & A at 2:05
 
 
2:15
 
Break
 
 
 
 
2:30
 
Session L. Sensors and Robotic Total Stations: Martin Beth
·         Technical evaluation of geotechnical sensors
·         Monitoring deformation in 3D with robotic total stations: the basics, and some case histories
·         Q & A at 3:30
 
 
3:40
 
Break
 
 
3:55
 
Session M. Questions and Discussion: Moderated by John Dunnicliff
 
  • Introductions of tomorrow’s lecturers
  • Questions and discussion topics submitted by attendees in writing during the first two days
  • Spontaneous questions and discussion
  • Geotechnical Instrumentation News (GIN)
  • FMGM
  • Robotic total stations
  • Wireless systems
  • Current issues in monitoring in USA
 
 
6:00 or
earlier
 
 
End session

     
TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2009
   
 
 
8:00 am
 
Session N. Contractual Arrangements for Instrumentation: John Dunnicliff
  • Specifications for procurement of instruments
  • Contractual arrangements for field instrumentation services
  • Q & A at 8:30 (or min-break)
 
 
8:40
 
Session O. The use of the Fully-grouted Method for Piezometer Installation: Aaron Grosser
  • Description of the method
  • Theoretical background
  • Testing program on various mix designs, with test results for strength and permeability. 
  • Case histories outlining the use of the method, and success in previous applications.
  • Q & A at 9:40
 
9:50
 
Break
 
 
 
10:05
 
Session P. Overview of Fiber Optic Sensing in Civil Engineering: Daniele Inaudi
  • Fiber optic sensing basics
  • Fiber optic sensing technologies
  • Applications in civil and geotechnical engineering
  • Q & A at 11:05
 
11.15
 
Lunch break
 
 
12:30
 
Session Q. Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR): Kevin O’Connor
 
  • TDR basics
  • TDR sensors
  • Installation techniques
  • TDR-based alarm systems
  • Typical costs
  • Discussion with John Dunnicliff on inclinometers and TDR
  • Q & A at 1:30
 
 
 
 
1:40
 
Break
 
 
 
1:55
 
Session R. Automatic Data Acquisition Systems and Databases: Robert Taylor
  • ADAS basics
  • Communications and networking
  • Real-time monitoring
  • Data archiving and reporting
  • Alarms
  • Lightning protection
  • Practical details
  • Q & A at 2:55
 
 
3:05
 
Break
 
 
 
3:20
 
Session S. Instrumentation for Dam Safety Monitoring: Randy Welch
  • Developing performance monitoring programs for dams
  • Commonly used instruments
  • Q & A at 4:20
 
 
4:30
 
Summary and Closing Remarks: John Dunnicliff
 
 
4:40
 
Adjourn
 
 
 

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Registration & Logistics:
Andy Campbell
tel: (352) 392-1701 x246
fax: (352) 392-5437
Meeting Content:
Course Director
John Dunnicliff