Which type of crack gauge for your crack?
To determine the ideal gauge for accurately measuring the progression of a movement or a crack, it is essential to assess your specific needs. At Saugnac, we offer a diverse range of nearly twenty products, suited to monitoring all types of structural movement.
Crack gauges for the most common cases: crack width measurement
Monitoring cracks on 1 axis
An easy-to-read crack gauge
If you want the easiest to read and most accurate gauge for indoor or outdoor use, choose the G1+.
Its patented reading system requires no knowledge of vernier scales, eliminates parallax reading errors (if you are not perfectly aligned with the gauge) and allows readings down to 0.05 mm.
The classic gauge if you can read a vernier scale
If you can read a vernier scale and need to carry out indoor or outdoor monitoring, choose the G1.
A simple and effective operation.
The Saugnac app provided even allows readings to be taken with a smartphone, making it easier to read the vernier scale.
For indoor crack monitoring
If you only need to monitor cracks indoors, choose the G1.1.
More economical, it is designed exclusively for installation inside buildings and dry rooms.
A transparent crack gauge
If you prefer a more discreet solution, choose the G1.2 gauge.
Transparent, it works in the same way as the G1 and is suitable for outdoor use, but is far less visible.
An economical digital crack gauge
Its transparent mounting plates are fixed on either side of the crack using the supplied fixings, and the gauge clips into the plates to take the reading.
The advantage of this system is that only the mounting plates remain on the substrate — transparent and compact in size (33 mm in diameter and less than 10 mm high).
Furthermore, this solution minimises surface damage, all the more so as the plates are made from a durable material (PA12), the same used for boat windscreen components.
As the reading is digital, no specialist knowledge is required, and replacement plate sets cost less than G1 or G1+ gauges.
Crack gauges for more specific single-axis monitoring requirements
Some cracks in walls have more specific requirements and call for the use of a suitable gauge.
A stainless carbon gauge
In certain cases, particularly in aggressive environments and/or where greater precision is required while leaving the gauge in place, you may opt for the G1.5 gauge, a carbon gauge with a resolution of 0.02 mm and a very low coefficient of thermal expansion.
The solution for wide cracks
To record minimum and maximum readings
If you need to know the maximum and minimum readings without being able to take them regularly, you can opt for the G2 gauge, which records the maximum and minimum measurements using a graphite pencil lead.
A simple and effective method requiring no battery, to determine how far the crack opens and closes.
Choosing the gauge according to crack orientation
The orientation of the crack does not influence the choice of gauge. The principle is to position the gauge straddling the crack. If the crack is horizontal or oblique, simply orient the gauge correctly, perpendicular to the crack.
What about corner cracks?
All crack gauges in the G1 family are manufactured with a scored groove forming a fold line on the tie plate. This groove makes it easy to bend the tie plate for corner fixation without any additional accessory.
For environments subject to significant stress, or for other gauges (G1.3, G2), it is also possible to purchase an aluminium angle bracket as a supplement.
The E1 digital crackmeter is specifically designed for corner monitoring, thanks to its transparent mounting plates that allow precise fixing on two perpendicular surfaces.
Remote crack width monitoring with connected sensors
The compact version
This gauge is equipped with 3 sensors (linear displacement, temperature and humidity) to collect all the information needed for diagnosis.
Ready to install, this gauge includes all the necessary components to transmit data to the application (communication module and subscription). No IT knowledge is required to configure the gauge — everything is done in a few clicks.
The version with large-range sensor and monitoring+ mode
The R2 connected crackmeter is a version with a remote sensor specially designed for monitoring cracks with large displacement amplitudes. Thanks to its external linear sensor, it can measure and track the evolution of an opening of up to 100 mm, while maintaining high long-term accuracy.
The compact and robust electronic enclosure also integrates a relative humidity sensor and a temperature sensor, providing a comprehensive view of the environmental conditions influencing the behaviour of the structure. This multi-parameter approach enhances the quality of structural diagnosis and facilitates the analysis of mechanical phenomena related to climatic variations.
The R2 also features monitoring+ mode, an enhanced surveillance mode that allows the acquisition frequency to be increased to one reading every 2 minutes. This functionality is particularly suited to critical phases (construction works, rapid movements, sensitive temporary instrumentation), when rapid detection of variations is essential.
Versatile, accurate and easy to integrate, the R2 gauge is an ideal solution for continuous and reliable monitoring of large-amplitude cracks.
Crack gauges for walls with opening and shear movement (2 axes)
More generally, if you are not certain about the type of movement involved, it may be more prudent to opt for a solution that enables measurement on both axes. This ensures that all the data necessary for a complete analysis and interpretation are collected.
To carry out 2-axis monitoring, we offer 3 solutions:
A connected solution with a 2D kit based on 2 R1 gauges and specific fixings.
Crack gauges for differential settlement cases
Its unique cubic design allows the progression of differential settlement to be monitored, whether horizontal or vertical, offering exceptional flexibility. With a measurement resolution of 0.1 mm, the G3 delivers remarkable accuracy and its use is simplified by the free Saugnac.app application.
Fixation can be carried out with the adhesives supplied, and as an option, a mechanical fixing with an intermediate plate is available.
For a detailed graphical record of the progression, an optional recording kit is also available, ensuring complete and accurate monitoring of differential settlement over time.
Crack gauges for wall or balcony tilting
The connected version
We offer a connected inclinometer (R5 gauge) for remote monitoring of tilt progression on 2 axes.
This inclinometer offers a resolution of 0.01° and is also equipped with an ambient temperature and humidity sensor.
It is supplied ready to install with all fixings and a 1-year subscription included, and is configured very simply via the application.
The classic mechanical version
We also offer mechanical inclinometers from the G5 range. These inclinometers, based on the effective and simple pendulum principle, are designed to monitor the tilt of a structure. All these gauges can be fixed flat or perpendicular using angle brackets.
Whatever the tilt monitoring requirement, the G5 gauge enables monitoring of angle variations of 0.03°.
The economical version
If the size of the inclinometer and/or the price are priorities over measurement resolution: the G5mini gauge is an alternative.
It is half the size of the G5 gauge, less expensive but with a resolution that is twice as low (resolution 0.06°).
The removable solution
If you have numerous monitoring points and/or do not wish to leave the gauge in place, the G5+ gauge with a mounting plate is recommended. This gauge is removable and clips onto a plate to take the reading. It offers two advantages:
- It does not remain permanently on the substrate: after the reading has been taken, it can be stored in its carrying case, eliminating any risk of damage or deterioration.
- Purchasing mounting plates is more cost-effective than purchasing gauges (and protective covers, where applicable).
For monitoring movement in all 3 dimensions
Equipped with three vernier scales and a calculation spreadsheet, this solution can track any type of movement. Its installation is based on the fixing of two metal mounting plates that serve as the measurement reference. This crack and deformation measuring instrument is removable and is only positioned on the plates when taking a reading. This system is, for example, far simpler to install than a tell-tale wire system (vinchon).
In simpler configurations requiring three-dimensional monitoring, it is also possible to use a combination of instruments measuring two axes and differential settlement — for example, a G6 + G3 gauge or an E1 + G3 gauge.
It is also possible to carry out 3-dimensional remote monitoring with the 3D remote monitoring kit.
Measuring instruments for beam / ceiling deflection
The G130 gauge from Saugnac stands out for its ability to measure the evolution of deflection, wall overturning or compressive deformation of a structure with a fine resolution of 0.1 mm, corresponding to 0.2 mm of movement.
This custom device offers a solution adapted to specific problems, requiring a thorough study of each case in order to propose a tailored solution.
Each G130 solution is supplied with installation instructions and a drawing specifically written according to the constraints of each project. This personalised approach ensures optimal integration of the monitoring device into the user’s specific environment.
With a resolution of 0.01 mm and integrated temperature and humidity sensors, it provides precise, contextualised data, transmitted directly to the Saugnac.app platform without any manual intervention. The user benefits from continuous and secure monitoring, with the ability to configure alert thresholds to be notified in the event of abnormal movement.
Monitoring the separation between 2 points several metres apart
The Saugnac recording extensometer, also known as the G20 gauge, enables precise monitoring to the nearest 0.1 mm of the progression of the distance between two points separated by several metres and located at several metres height.
This extensometer provides an accurate check of the constancy of the distance between two parallel walls or two distant points on the same wall. This is typically the case for the outward thrust of church walls. Thanks to its remote-reading enclosure, readings are taken at eye level. Furthermore, as the solution is based on the G2 gauge, a graphical record of minimum and maximum values is produced.
The extensometer is also available in a connected version for remote monitoring of the separation with the R20 connected extensometer. This gauge is based on the R1 connected crackmeter and therefore enables remote monitoring of the evolution of the distance, temperature and humidity.
This proven technology guarantees reliable and accurate monitoring of variations over time, offering an ideal solution for projects where the constancy of the distance between two points is critical.
Any questions or specific requirements? Contact us to discuss.