Connecting through monitoring

Real-time monitoring for safety
The Leica GeoMos automated monitoring system continues to monitor structural movements 24/7 delivering the data required to analyse the structures behaviour and ensuring the safety of road users. 

“We recommended Leica GeoMos and total stations because we’ve used them in many other projects around the country with excellent results,” Richard Ingham, C.R. Kennedy Survey Division New South Wales state manager. “With the real-time ability to alert engineers to any changes and the high-precision data collected by the Leica Geosystems total stations, this was a perfect fit for the super highway project.” 

Monitoring is to be conducted for a minimum period of 7 years to ensure that the structure ‘settles down’ and any movement remains within expected levels. 

GeoMoS software manages the data collected by the total stations of the bridge’s dramatically curved piers. These piers support the bridge deck, or road, and have finger joints built into the expansion joints of the articulated deck. These joints enable the needed expansion of the bridge in order to accommodate the forces and stresses caused by the usage and environmental factors. 

Levels on either side of the joints are monitored with particular care because if settlement happens at different rates, a step in the roadway can occur. If any positioning data collected by GeoMoS should exceed the set tolerance levels, the software will send out an alert in real time to the project management, alerting them that limits have been reached. This level of information allows action to be taken avoiding any costly repairs or long term damage to the structure. 

GeoMos is able to use ‘virtual sensors’ (calculations) to derive key performance indicators on the project, such as pier rotations needle beams deflections and separations. These ‘derived’ measurements can then also be used to alert upon should tolerances be exceeded.  
 
“Using Leica GeoMoS, we’re seamlessly processing and managing the data collected by the total stations. The software is automatically delivering us information on the roadway piers, around-the-clock,” said Stephen Singline from John Holland. “We receive reports that are easily understandable, and we can even customise the graphs and visuals for what we need. This informs our decision making processes with the most current and reliable data available. 

Long-term analysis reports can also be used to improve design of infrastructure in the future and also help improve construction practices.

Back to Reporter 77 article overview 

Story: Connecting through monitoring
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Monitoring Movement
Chapter 3: Real-time monitoring for safety