GeO Magnet Extensometer

Magnet extensometers are used to detect vertical movements in ground.

Each measurement point consists of a magnetic ring with sprung legs
(known as a spider). The spiders are placed over a hollow access tube
and inserted into a borehole. Once in position the sprung legs are
released and the borehole is filled with grout. Any number of spiders can
be used in a single borehole. The arrangement relies on the sprung legs
making good contact with and subsequently moving with the ground.
This is probably the case in soft soils but should not be relied on in stiff
soils, where the legs might just rest on the edge of the borehole and not
move because they are held in position by the grout.

Geotechnical Observations has developed a magnet extensometer and

installation procedure that ensures the spiders are accurately positioned
at the specified depths and that the sprung legs are pushed into the
ground. The borehole can be filled with a very soft grout to ensure that
the spiders are free to move with the ground to which they are securely
fixed.

-60.0
Positive displacements represent settlement
-45.0
Cumulative displacement (mm)

-30.0 Trees removed

-15.0

0.0

15.0

Initial depths of the magnets (m)

30.0 1.141 1.606 2.051 2.702 3.068 3.629
4.134 4.587 5.627 6.712 7.621 8.672
45.0
01-Apr-06

31-Aug-06

30-Jan-07

01-Jul-07

30-Nov-07

30-Apr-08

30-Jul-09

29-Dec-09

30-May-10
29-Sep-08

28-Feb-09

Vertical displacements measured at the crest of a 5m high

railway embankment before and after the removal of trees

© Geotechnical Observations Limited. All rights reserved.

The Peter Vaughan Building

9 Avro Way Brooklands
Weybridge Surrey
KT13 0YF
tel +44 (0)1932 352040
fax +44 (0)1932 356375
info@geo-observations.com
www.geo-observations.com
GeO Magnet Extensometer installation procedure

Insertion tool

Borehole

Spider (with magnets)

Flush access pipe

Insertion tool is used to push Insertion tool is pulled Insertion tool is

the magnet to the required to embed sprung legs withdrawn leaving
position. Sprung legs bend into the edge of the spider in place.
and rest on the edge of the borehole Borehole is filled with
borehole during insertion grout.

A borehole with a diameter between 100mm and 200mm is required for installing a
GeO magnet extensometer.

Sufficient head room must be available to feed 3m lengths of extensometer access

pipe into the borehole.

Each spider is pushed along the access pipe to a position approximately 5cm below
the required position using an insertion rod. Note that the sprung legs are pointing
upwards.

On reaching the required position the spider is pulled back up the borehole by
approximately 5cm, causing the sprung legs to penetrate into the soil.

The insertion tool is detached from the spider and withdrawn from the borehole.

The position of each spider is read using a reed switch, which is lowered inside the
access pipe.

© Geotechnical Observations Limited. All rights reserved.

www.geo-observations.com