Inclinometers, level sensors and rain gauges for analysing ground movements in a railway context
Integrated system for monitoring stability along the railway line
Tecnopenta has recently implemented a complex geotechnical monitoring system, an intervention that falls within railway geotechnics activities and concerned an area affected by landslide movements and instability phenomena. The installation, carried out along a railway line in a hilly area, included borehole inclinometers, wall-mounted inclinometers, level sensors and rain gauges to provide a complete overview of ground behaviour.
Level sensors and inclinometer chains
The stations were installed at deep wells, where the level sensors constantly monitor variations in the groundwater table. These instruments, installed between 29 and 39 metres, are integrated with inclinometer chains for recording displacements and ground deformations at depth. The data are automatically sent to a cloud platform dedicated to the management of geotechnical data.
Rain gauges and wall-mounted inclinometers
To correlate ground variations with meteorological events, rain gauges were installed at the site's most sensitive points, essential for landslide monitoring in relation to rainfall. Along the retaining walls of the railway infrastructure, wall-mounted inclinometers were installed—key instruments for structural monitoring and for detecting possible rotations or superficial movements of the structures.
Measurement safety and continuity
Each control unit is autonomously powered by a solar panel and equipped with a data transmission system to ensure continuous measurements. The entire system has been designed with particular attention to durability: the geotechnical sensors are protected by metal caps and the cables are laid in underground conduits, ensuring resistance even under critical environmental conditions typical of areas affected by landslide movements.
