Geotechnical Sensors

Installed below ground or on the surface, geotechnical sensors measure groundwater levels and pore pressures, soil strata deformation, ground surface settlement, heave and slip, stress, strain and load in soil, rock and structures, as well as movement, load and pressure in retaining systems, delivering the trusted data needed to manage risk and protect infrastructure.

Aiming for total safety.

For safety reasons, but not only, earthworks, excavations, foundations and all subsurface activities must be monitored for ground-related deformation.

Geotechnical sensors provide early detection of unsual behaviour and deformations that could escalate into major risks during construction and for an asset’s lifespan. They support the optimisation and verification of underground structure design and can be deployed for long-term condition monitoring.

They are valuable for assessing soil behaviour linked to landslips, settlement or other ground-related mechanisms. Geotechnical sensors also assist with diagnosing root causes, assessing deconsolidation risks, and determining when reinforcement or remediation is required.

Geotechnical sensor types

Geotechnical sensors provide reliable insight into soil and rock behaviour during and after construction. They detect movement, pore pressure changes and stress variations early, supporting safer excavation, stable foundations and well-informed design decisions.

Our solutions incorporate a full suite of proven instruments:

Ground movement sensors – inclinometers (manual and automatic), extensometers and settlement systems for tracking lateral and vertical displacement within soil and rock.
Pore pressure sensors – vibrating-wire, pneumatic and standpipe piezometers, together with water-level loggers, to understand groundwater behaviour and consolidation.
Strain and load sensors – load cells, earth-pressure cells and strain gauges to quantify forces acting on support systems, tunnel linings and retaining structures.
Tilt sensors – high-precision tiltmeters for detecting rotational movement in shallow ground or buried structures.
Thermistors – integrated temperature measurements ensuring accurate, compensated readings in variable ground conditions.

By providing continuous monitoring of subsurface behaviour, geotechical sensors support better decisions, improved safety and long-term asset resilience.

The benefits of geotechnical sensors

Using geotechnical sensor data allows you to

Manage geotechnical risks associated with excavation, foundation works and subsurface structures.
Understand real soil behaviour, providing a sound basis for:
Verifying actual ground deformation against design assumptions.
Optimising the design and performance of underground and foundation systems.
Anticipating and mitigating geotechnical hazards such as landslips or excessive settlement.
Monitor ground conditions over the long term, including the stability of embankments, cuttings and other earth structures.

These insights support safer construction, more reliable asset management and better-informed decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.

Geotechnical monitoring services

Cutting-edge expertise

gained from more than 20 years of experience and in-house development

The availability of dedicated local teams

as a result of our extensive network

A turnkey service

allowing intelligent interpretation of measurements, and to identify anomalies

Geotechnical and structural know-how

committed to continual development of solutions more closely aligned with the practical challenges of our clients

Data quality control

driven by proactive maintenance to ensure that measurements are accurate and actionable

Access to our vast sensor network

we partner with the world's leading sensor suppliers, to bring you the best quality sensors at the best price