Real-time crack monitoring: when and how should you activate enhanced reading monitoring?
This enhanced monitoring makes it possible to track the progression of a crack, a tilt, or an overturning movement as closely as possible, thanks to wireless measuring instruments that ensure accurate, regular readings accessible remotely.
Close monitoring: observing the real behaviour of a structure
The reading frequency must always be adapted to the observed behaviour. When uncertainty increases or a risk of progression is identified, close monitoring takes over to provide denser, more usable information.
Reading the progression and linking events
Close monitoring helps detect a change in pace and distinguish a temporary variation from a lasting progression. It then becomes easier to link an event — works, changes in external conditions, a particular load — to its effects on the structure.
For a crack, monitoring reveals an opening that is accelerating; for a tilt or an overturning movement, it highlights a movement that is continuing, stabilising, or stopping.
Interpreting environment-related variations
This approach is also useful for interpreting cyclical phenomena. Cracks and deformations often evolve according to environmental parameters such as temperature or soil moisture. A higher reading frequency provides a better reading of these variations and avoids misinterpretations.
In which cases should you increase the reading frequency?
Close monitoring is generally set up when the behaviour of the structure may change rapidly.
During the construction phase
Earthworks, underpinning, load changes, work on the structure, or work on an adjoining building can cause displacements, deformations, or crack openings. Here, monitoring must be carried out during the operation, in order to directly link the operations to the observed effects.
As part of construction site monitoring or a neighbouring demolition, a reading every 30 minutes over a period of one month is a commonly chosen configuration.
In the presence of an evolving disorder
A crack, a displacement, or a tilt may progress gradually or display acceleration phases. Increasing the reading frequency makes it possible to distinguish a continuous progression from a one-off variation and to identify any change in behaviour.
During a one-off event
An impact, an exceptional load, or a localised movement can alter the behaviour of the structure. Close monitoring then makes it possible to document the progression of the phenomenon in the hours or days that follow.
Monitoring+ mode: enhanced monitoring built into Saugnac gauges
A reading frequency adapted to sensitive phases
Monitoring+ mode allows readings to be taken every 2 to 30 minutes, depending on the chosen settings.
Several reading frequencies are available:
- every 2 minutes
- every 5 minutes
- every 10 minutes
- every 20 minutes
- every 30 minutes
This adjustment range makes it possible to adapt the density of readings to the observed situation.
Regular data transmission
In Monitoring+ mode, the data transmission frequency is also configurable, to bring remote consultation closer to the moment of reading:
- every hour
- every 2 hours
- every 3 hours
- every 4 hours
Readings remain accessible from the application, on PC or smartphone.
A temporary, controlled mode
Monitoring+ mode is designed for occasional use, with a duration limited according to the chosen settings.
The maximum duration depends on the reading frequency. As a guide:
- 2 minutes: up to 4 days
- 5 minutes: up to 10 days
- 10 minutes: up to 20 days
- 20 minutes: up to 40 days
- 30 minutes: up to 60 days
At the end of this period, the gauge automatically returns to its standard mode in order to preserve battery life and the amount of data exchanged.
Monitoring+ mode can be reactivated several times, up to a limit of 12,000 readings.
Please note: Monitoring+ mode follows a logic of monitoring and observation, not a logic of instant alerting. These Saugnac gauges are wireless measuring instruments. They make data collection and consultation easier, but they are not designed for real-time transmission or to meet the requirements of an alarm system.
Close monitoring: application to cracks and tilts
Monitoring+ mode applies to different types of readings, depending on the observed disorder and the monitored parameter.
Crack monitoring with the R2 gauge
The R2 gauge tracks the progression of a crack’s opening, including for large amplitudes (up to 100 mm), with a resolution of 0.01 mm. Equipped with a remote linear sensor, it is suited to structures with significant variations.
Close monitoring makes the opening or closing phases more readable and helps identify an acceleration or a link with a load. Its temperature and humidity sensors make it possible to link the observed variations to environmental conditions and refine interpretation.
Tilt monitoring with the R5 gauge
The R5 gauge tracks the progression of a tilt or an overturning movement on two axes, with a resolution of 0.005°. It observes a tilting, overturning, or rotation movement of a structural element.
With close monitoring, operators detect a change in behaviour or track the progression of a movement during a sensitive phase. As with the R2, readings can be consulted remotely, with no on-site intervention.
Frequently asked questions
How often should a crack be measured?
There is no absolute rule: the reading frequency must be adapted to the risk and the behaviour of the structure. When faced with an accelerating disorder or during works, it must be increased. Monitoring+ mode then makes it possible to go down to a reading every 2 minutes.
What is the difference between standard monitoring and close monitoring?
Standard monitoring, available on all our wireless gauges, allows readings to be taken up to once an hour, with data sent every 12 hours. Close monitoring (Monitoring+ mode) temporarily densifies readings and transmissions to finely observe a sensitive phase.
Does Monitoring+ mode correspond to real-time monitoring?
It comes close: “real time” depends on the combination of reading frequency and transmission frequency. Monitoring+ tightens these two parameters but remains an observation tool, not an alarm system with instant transmission.
Does Monitoring+ mode reduce the gauge’s battery life?
Yes: more frequent readings and transmissions consume more. That is why the mode is temporary and capped (maximum duration depending on the frequency, and a limit of 12,000 readings). The gauge then returns to its standard mode to preserve battery life.
The essentials
Close monitoring makes it possible to observe the progression of a phenomenon more precisely, in addition to conventional periodic monitoring. The Saugnac wireless gauges R2 and R5 meet this need with a remotely activatable Monitoring+ mode, which brings readings and their transmission as close as possible to the moment.