Smartec is the leading supplier of fiber optic solutions for geotechnical and structural instrumentation. The company is an expert in all fiber optic technologies and innovative solutions for monitoring critical infrastructure.
Smartec has 28 years of quality and excellence in providing innovative solutions for geotechnical and structural instrumentation. The company has completed 1200 successful fiber optic monitoring projects located in 30 countries around the world.
Smartec provides Distributed and Long-Gauge Fiber Optic Systems based on Brillouin/Raman scattering and FBG/SOFO respectively. For example, a single fiber optic cable can replace multiple discrete strain gauges, enabling real-time distributed measurement over kilometers with immunity to electromagnetic interference (EMI).
Featured products include the DiTeSt Dual Reading Unit, which measures full strain and temperature profiles using Brillouin technology. Smartec also offers the DiTemp Harsh + Reading Unit for measuring the full temperature profile over fiber optic sensing cables using Raman OTDR technology.
Smartec provides solutions for monitoring tunnels, bridges, and dam safety, often utilizing distributed strain and temperature measurement over long spans. We also support critical applications in chemical plants and research.
Annual calibration is recommended. Do not exceed 3 years for instruments with batteries/electronics, or 5 years for other measurement instruments. Users should determine the exact interval based on usage frequency.
GEOSTRING is a distributed MEMS accelerometer system that enables continuous real-time monitoring of subsurface lateral and vertical displacements. It eliminates the need for periodic manual inclinometer surveys, leading to faster movement detection and reduced operational costs.
GEOSTRING uses MEMS sensors on a single cable to track ground movement in real-time. It’s affordable, easy to install, rugged, and reusable on several projects. Joints allow up to 90° bending for compact shipping.
Fiber optic sensors are highly accurate, immune to electromagnetic interference, safe in explosive environments, don’t require grounding, and maintain signal quality and real-time distributed measurement over long distances. A single cable can replace 50–80+ discrete sensors.
These solutions monitor tunnels, bridges, dams, ammonia and LNG pipelines, tailings dams, dikes, and embankments.
SOFO sensors are unique products for monitoring high-stakes structures including concrete buildings, bridges, and nuclear power plants. Their long-term reliability is proven through projects with 25+ years of continuous measurements.
Fiber optic systems can be integrated with various dataloggers or cloud platforms, streamlining data acquisition, management, and analytics across technologies including VW, and MEMS.
Pressuremeter tests work in most soils and rocks, providing in-situ stress-strain curves to estimate stiffness, strength, settlement, and foundation capacity. These tests suit projects where undisturbed samples or conventional tests are not possible or on larger projects where improved soil property information is warranted.
Follow ASTM D4719 guidelines for drilling to ensure the soil is not significantly disturbed thus affecting pressuremeter results. Rotary drilling with axial mud injection is especially versatile. Good results depend on careful adherence and monitoring using recommended indicators (E/Pl, Pl/Py ratios, shape of curve….).
Yes, up to 400 meters depth. However, the fluid-free section shouldn’t exceed about 150 meters. For depths beyond 200 meters, adjust the procedure and consult the instruction manual.
Initial saturation takes up to one hour with stainless steel filters, with later responses usually within seconds to minutes.
Yes, it blocks particles as small as 1 micron but takes up to 24 hours to reach equilibrium, compared to around 1 hour for stainless steel filters.
Installing more than two piezometers in a borehole is difficult using the standard method as bentonite pellets can stick to multiple cables in the BH and create restrictions. The fully grouted method is recommended for multiple installations.
Regular pressure readings are required. If measured pressure exceeds the sensor’s range, stop driving and wait for the pressure to dissipate.
Roctest does not recommend driving the piezometer to 20 meters depth. Usually, it should be driven only the last 0.5–1m of the borehole bottom.
Use in loose soils, ideally with SPT <10. Can be driven from a borehole. In harder soils, the piezometer may become over-pressurized or damaged. Refer to the manual for full guidelines.
Use ENERPAC HF-101 oil.
If pressure will not build above 8 MPa, there is a leak. Verify for external leaks first; if internal, the pump needs to be serviced by a hydraulic technician or sent back to Roctest for repair.
The cylinder effective area is 2.24 in² or 14.4 cm².
Geo-Lok can sustain up to 1% of settlement before the telescoping section is required.
Geo-Lok is compatible with most commercial inclinometer probes.
