Ground Movement Monitoring Program

The safety of nearby buildings and structures is paramount, as in deep open cut installations. The safety of nearby structures can be compromised if the structures are subject to greater ground movements or vibration than they can withstand. For extremely challenging pipe bursting operations (class C), a pre-construction survey and monitoring of the ground movement is advisable if there are nearby structures. A pre-construction survey of all nearby buildings and structures that documents all existing cracks, cosmetic problems, and structural deficiencies is recommended prior to any work on site. The elevations of carefully planned settlement points (on nearby buildings and on the ground surface) around the insertion and pulling shafts should be surveyed prior to bursting, during bursting, and after bursting. These pre-construction surveys and elevations monitoring can significantly reduce the risk of unmerited law suits to the contractor and the owner.