Testconsult rose to the challenge when approached with the task of designing, installing and monitoring an instrumentation system to monitor movement of surrounding open and closed reservoirs during construction works on a United Utilities site in North East Manchester.

The work was commisioned by a major joint venture consisting of GallifordTry, Costain and W S Atkins, who are undertaking construction of a new filter system in a reservoir embankment at a busy Waste Water Treatment works.

The system consists of several 15 meter deep boreholes containing inclinometer tubing and extensometers. Inclinometers are being used to measure any horizontal displacement, whilst vertical movement is detected by the extensometers.

In addition some 30 optical prisms are strategically located around the site on open reservoir embankments, existing buildings and on the concrete panels of the closed reservoir tanks. The prisms are continuously monitored by a fully automatic Total Station which alerts of any 3 dimensional movements above a safety threshold. All data is collected via bluetooth technology to a central server, where results are analysed daily.

Testconsult is currently employed as the independent Test house, forming part of a 10 year framework agreement with United Utilities, refurbishing some 192 sites across the UK.

For further information contact Mark Dawkins

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