Crack Meters and Joint Meters are employed in multiple geotechnical construction applications to monitor movement in structures along surface cracks or construction joints. Both Crack Meters and Joint Meters are primarily used during the construction of mass concrete structures such as dams, bridges, and retaining walls.
When installed, Crack meters and joint meters record and monitor any structural changes caused by geotechnical activity, allowing for ongoing oversight of structural integrity. Both Crack Meters and Joint Meters consist of two mounting anchors, each of which is secured to either side of the joint or crack. Whereas Joint Meters are embedded across the joint during construction to monitor any expansion or contraction that takes place, Crack Meters can be anchored to either side of a crack or joint to measure displacement. In both cases, the anchors are connected with a vibrating wire displacement transducer.
If movement occurs within the structure causing the distance between the anchors on either side of the joint or crack to change, this change of distance will accurately be measured by the vibrating wire transducer. Joint Meters and Crack Meters can also be used to trigger an alarm if structural movement exceeds a pre-set maximum displacement.
An accurate history of this movement will be recorded using an RST Vibrating Wire Readout or Data Logger.
I’m very happy with the quality of the instrumentation and technical support from RST, as always. They worked with us from the initial stages of the project to ensure that we were fully prepared and equipped to use the RSTAR network for the first time. They delivered everything within the tight project time frame to ensure that there were no delays on site, and the submersible tilt meters looked like new even after over twelve months of being submerged in Thames water!
-Richard Lipscombe, BEng (Hons), Director & Principle Consultant - RL Geotechnical Ltd
