The real-time measuring of soil and rock structures is a fairly recent invention. Conventional manual measuring is expensive and subject to errors, and it is therefore not performed often. However, it is even more expensive to not take measurements at all. In a worst-case scenario, accidents can lead to personal injuries, and their financial effects can often become significant. By using automatic monitoring, these accidents can be avoided and it also has other major benefits. This article lists five of the most important reasons why automatic monitoring is beneficial both in soil and rock construction.

1. Automatic monitoring increases safety at the worksite

Safety is improved as up-to-date information is always available. This way information on changes is received proactively and corrective measures can be taken in time, before changes lead to accidents and damages. Due to up-to-date information, changes can also be linked to their causes more specifically than before, which helps to understand causal connections.

2. Measurements reduce costs

By using automatic measurements, structures can be optimised without having to prepare for all uncertainties. For example, measuring anchor forces in support walls can significantly reduce the number of anchors needed. Therefore, increased safety and reduced costs are achieved at the same time. Costs are reduced also because it is no longer necessary to read measurements on site. Due to automatic remote monitoring, measuring devices can also be placed in fairly inaccessible locations.

3. Automatic monitoring streamlines work

Traditional manual measurements take up a lot of man-hours. Automating the measurements saves not only money, but also working hours. An automatic monitoring system takes care of the measurements effortlessly, so one can concentrate to other tasks at the worksite. Unlike manual measurements, the automatic measuring devices do not have to be checked on-site. With efficient monitoring, unpredicted situations like accidents can be avoided, and it is easier to stay on schedule.

4. Official regulations are easier to meet

Structures at the construction sites do not always behave as planned. When designers are given measurement data, they can create better structural designs than before. Respectively, in the case of extensive repair work, adequate measurement data and an analysis of the current status made on the basis of the data help in the preparation of a more detailed repair plan.

Automatic measurements can enhance the safety of both construction sites and surrounding buildings. This is extremely important especially in major cities, which are densely built and where the rock resources have also already been built for the most part. With the help of measurements, contractors can prove that their operation has not damaged the surrounding buildings of a construction site or the environment, if necessary.

5. Documentation is generated and saved automatically

When using automatic monitoring, also the documentation of the measurement data is generated automatically. No one has to make the documents, as the system produces them independently. The documents can also be found from one place, for example from a file on your own computer. This makes it easy to view them again whenever needed.

1. The risk of personal injuries

In a worst-case scenario, construction site accidents can lead to personal injuries. According to a study by the Finnish Transport Agency, excavation collapses cause 1-3 fatal accidents a year (“Danger lurks underground” research project on excavation safety. Finnish Transport Agency). By using automatic monitoring, it is possible to get real-time information and minimise the risks of these kinds of accidents. For example, information on the possible changes in an excavation’s support walls is received as soon as they take place. This way, corrective measures can be taken in time, before changes lead to accidents and damages.

2. The risk of financial losses

Structures at construction sites do not always behave as planned, and the financial effects caused by accidents can often become significant. With automatic measuring, already small changes in the structures can be detected. This way, dangerous situations can be prevented in time before they lead to accidents. When designers receive measurement data, they can create better structural designs than before and make sure that the structures are correctly sized. Wrong sizing leads to excessive costs – with monitoring, the structures can be optimised, which decreases the expenses.

3. The risk of liability to compensate

The construction site is responsible not only for its own safety, but also for the safety of the surrounding buildings and the environment. If something happens to the environment, it is not always easy to name the one who is liable to compensate. With the help of automatic measurements, the contractor can prove if their operations have caused damages to the environment of the site or not.

4. The risk of scattered information

When using automatic monitoring, also the documentation of the measurement data is generated automatically. No one has to make the documents, as the system produces them independently. The documents can also be found from one place, which makes it easy to view them again whenever needed.

5. The risk of delays due to unexpected situations

Unexpected situations like accidents can delay a construction project considerably. Automatic monitoring provides up-to-date information of ground and structure behaviour, which increases predictability. When accidents can be prevented, also delays can be avoided.

FinMeas has secured an agreement with Züblin Scandinavia AB for the monitoring programme of the foundations work related to the creation of a new lock and the expansion of the Södertälje canal in Sweden.

The agreement comprises water level monitoring, displacement monitoring of retaining walls, force monitoring of struts and force monitoring of retaining wall anchors. The monitoring programme is scheduled to be operational for 24 months.

The project to build a new lock and to enlarge the Södertälje canal is part of the Mälar project with the purpose of improving maritime safety and accessibility in public waterways through the canal to the Port of Köping and Port of Västerås.

“We are thrilled that Züblin chose us as the contractor for the monitoring programme, our second common large-scale infrastructure monitoring programme in less than one year. We’re eager to get started to use our expertise and professional approach to help Zublin increase safety and reliability of the foundation works in Södertälje,” says Sami Ylönen, CEO of FinMeas.

Finnish monitoring consultant FinMeas is also monitoring the foundation works at Trafikplats Akalla for Züblin as part of the E4 Förbifart Stockholm project, as well as displacements at the Port of Västerås linked to the Mälar project.

FinMeas measurement technology utilised in the Stockholm Bypass project

Züblin Scandinavia AB carried out work for one of 17 subcontracts within the ongoing Stockholm Bypass construction project. Work began in April 2016 and was completed in May 2021. The contracted area covered 980 metres, including 135 metres of tunnel. As the rock surface is in close proximity to the soil surface, the tunnel essentially needed to be constructed of cement.

“Ensuring that the rock is sealed has proven to be one of the biggest onsite challenges, as the rock for this tunnel section is cracked and conducts water. The water table, in the cracked rock, is difficult to fully control. To monitor this water level and the groundwater levels, we are using FinMeas automatic monitors, which we are thoroughly satisfied with,” concludes Carl Berzell, Project Engineer a Züblin Scandinavia.

The construction section comprised a lot of soil and rock excavation, jet injections and other ground stabilisation, as well as the construction of concrete troughs and drainage wells. It is all about maintaining full control of the anchor bar forces and movements in the sheet pile that supports the excavation pits. This is where FinMeas’ expertise was called upon.

FinMeas delivered inclinometers with advanced sensory technology, which provided continuous real-time information on lateral movements of the sheet wall. Previously, information on movements was received less often, as measurements had to be taken manually.

“Also, the fact that the measurements are web-based makes follow-up extremely easy. Moreover, the software comes in a variety of languages, which has benefitted our German-speaking designer,” notes Berzell.

Automatic monitoring of groundwater levels

Sami Ylönen, CEO of FinMeas, holds a PhD in automation technology. As an entrepreneur, he specialises in the automatization of geotechnical measurements. He and his corporate colleague, Antti Ryhänen, were highly inspired by professor of research Yrjö Neuvo, Technology Director at Nokia, who was a pioneer in Finnish telecommunication technology. It was his expertise and teachings that Ylönen and Ryhänen applied to their geotechnical business operations.

“Our business concept is to provide automated measurement services as preventative measures. In other words, the advantage with our measurements is that the customer can monitor the functioning of critical structures and react, in time, to inward leakage and other possible deviations,” explains Sami Ylönen.

Ylönen believes that the utilisation of FInMeas technology in the construction of the Stockholm Bypass contributes to the company’s internationalisation. “A major Swedish contractor chose to employ our automatic measuring services,” says Ylönen.

Europe’s leading provider of business intelligence Bisnode has granted Gold AAA Certificate to FinMeas. The certificate indicates that FinMeas has belonged to the highest AAA class in creditworthiness continuously for more than 3 years. This year, only 0.4% of all the companies in Finland achieved this rating.

Bisnode's AAA-Rating is an automatic, constantly updated creditworthiness rating system. By systematically collecting and analysing information concerning activity, background, finances and payment behaviour, it evaluates the creditworthiness of a company and its ability to handle obligations related to normal business operations.

FinMeas is also ISO 9001:2015 certified.

The Monitoring Committee of the Finnish Geotechnical Society (SGY) has published monitoring guidelines, which comprise the essential concepts and principles of geotechnical measuring and monitoring. The monitoring guidelines are aimed at people working in the geotechnical field.

The publication describes the most common methods used in geotechnical measuring and monitoring, the planning of monitoring, and case examples of geotechnical monitoring.

“There is a demand in the field for more information on monitoring and the available methods. Designers have also expressed a need for guidelines on the planning of monitoring. The publication presents concrete examples of plans, which respond to this need," says Sami Ylönen, Chairman of SGY’s Monitoring Committee.

Publication will benefit designers in particular

Ylönen’s opinion is echoed by Tuomas Kärki, Project Manager at Sipti Infra Oy, which provides design and consulting services in foundation engineering.

“From the designer’s point of view, the guidelines offer valuable further knowledge on the methods and possibilities of geotechnical monitoring. A monitoring plan and measurements that adhere to the guidelines ensure the functioning of the chosen design solutions and can even save costs,” Kärki says.

Kärki hopes that the monitoring guidelines will standardise the planning and implementation of measuring. This would also facilitate the use of measuring results in the development of geotechnical measuring methods.

The monitoring guidelines have been compiled as a special project by Antti Pelho, BSc (Technology), with the participation of Tampere University of Technology. The guidelines are based on Harri Turkki’s engineering thesis.

FinMeas measuring devices were used in a major harbour renovation project in Västerås, Sweden. The renovation was part of the Swedish Maritime Administration’s Mälaren project, which includes dredging of watersheds and building a canal sluice in Södertälje. The dredging was organised simultaneously with the construction work in Västerås harbour.

An important aim of the Västerås project was to enable the harbour to handle large vessels after the renovation beginning in 2018 with further advancements all the way to 2021.

FinMeas automatic inclinometers were used to monitor the safety of the Västerås project. Even small displacements in critical objects can cause safety risks, which can have serious effects. Inclinometers monitor the possible displacements in ground and structures and automatically notify if there are any changes.

References: Sveriges radio, Vlt

We have again this year achieved the highest AAA creditworthiness. The credit rating is bestowed by systematically keeping track of the company’s actions, background, economy and payment method. This year, 3.5% of all the companies in Finland achieved this rating.

FinMeas is also ISO 9001:2015 certified.

FinMeas Ltd was granted ISO 9001:2015 Quality Certification on 2 December 2016.

“The quality certificate is an important milestone on the continuous improving of our working. The acknowledgement of the certification shows to our customers that FinMeas’ products, services and company management fulfils the diverse requirements of the certificate,” says Sami Ylönen, CEO of FinMeas.