ATC 2025 EXHIBITOR SOCIAL MEDIA POST

Monitel to Showcase Innovations at Australasian Tunnelling Conference 2025 in Perth!

Monitel is excited to announce our participation as a sponsor and exhibitor at the Australasian Tunnelling Conference 2025 (ATC 2025), taking place in Perth from 10th to 14th of November, 2025. This premier event, themed “Underground Space: Securing Our Future,” will bring together industry leaders, renowned international keynote speakers, technical experts, and key stakeholders from across Australasia.

Monitel is a leading provider of Geotechnical, Structural & Geospatial Monitoring Solutions. With a commitment to innovation and excellence, we are dedicated to advancing the field of tunnelling and underground construction.

Join Us at Booth 1

We invite all attendees to visit us at Booth #1 to explore our latest innovations and solutions in tunnelling and underground construction. Our team of experts will be on hand to provide insights into our cutting-edge technologies and discuss how we can support your projects.

Throughout the conference, our technical specialists will be available to answer your questions, provide demonstrations, and discuss the latest trends and advancements in the industry. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn why Monitel leads the way in delivering innovative solutions for the future of sustainable infrastructure and underground construction.

ATC 2025 offers a unique platform for networking and collaboration. We look forward to connecting with industry professionals, researchers, and stakeholders to exchange knowledge and explore new opportunities for partnership.

Join us at ATC 2025 in Perth and discover how Monitel can help you achieve your project goals. For more information about our participation and to schedule a meeting with our team, please visit www.monitel.com.au and https://atc2025.com.au/ .

What is Potting in Piezometer Installation and Why Does it Matter?

When installing a piezometer, engineers want to set it up for long-term performance, stability and safety. A critical (but often overlooked) step in that process is potting.

At Monitel, we pot our sensors with methods that are proven to hold up in Western Australia’s harshest conditions. Integrated into wider monitoring systems, our units support high-integrity data collection over vast periods of time.

In this article, we explain what piezometer potting is, why it’s essential in geotechnical installations and how we tailor our processes to meet the demands of site conditions and regulatory requirements.

What Is a Piezometer?

A piezometer is a sensor used to measure pore water pressure within soil, rock or other geological materials.

Piezometers are commonly installed in boreholes, tailings dams and excavation sites to track long-term changes pressure. Their data can be critical in understanding subsurface stability and geotechnical risk. That might include slope failures, foundation movement or structural instability.

Monitel supplies and installs a range of piezometer types suited to different applications, including vibrating wire, standpipe, strain gauge and pressure transducer models.

What is Potting?

In the context of piezometers, potting refers to the process of sealing the electrical connection point between the sensor and its signal cable. This is typically done using a resin compound designed to:

  • Protect against water ingress
  • Secure the internal wiring
  • Provide mechanical strain relief
  • Prevent sensor failures caused by corrosion or movement

Potting keeps the sensitive interface between sensor and cable fully sealed from the elements. That’s what secures accurate readings in long-term and deep installations.

Why Does Potting Matter?

1. Waterproofing and Moisture Protection

Even the smallest gap at the cable junction can allow moisture into the sensor body, corrupting readings and causing signal failure. This is especially true for a vibrating wire piezometer, which relies on signal consistency to monitor subtle changes over long periods.

Our team use potting compounds rated for high humidity and full submersion, essential for protecting installations in saturated boreholes, tailings dams or groundwater monitoring wells.

2. Strain and Vibration Resistance

In remote or geotechnically active environments, piezometers must withstand movement, vibration and cable tensions. Potting prevents any of these being transferred to the sensor connection, reducing the risk of long-term fatigue and detachment.

If your site is experiencing heavy vehicle traffic, blast vibration or ongoing settlement, these benefits are particularly important to your sensors’ lifespans.

3. Chemical and Thermal Durability

Whether they’re home to mining, landfill or infrastructure projects, many WA sites endure aggressive chemical and temperature conditions. At Monitel, we select potting compounds that resist chemical degradation and fluctuations caused by high temperatures.

How Monitel Implements Best Practices in Potting

At Monitel, we don’t treat potting as an afterthought. It’s built into our wider installation process and includes:

  • In-field potting stations that allow us to immediately seal sensors during deployment.
  • Sensor-specific materials are matched to the piezometer type and site conditions. That ensures your whole system is self-integrated.
  • Documented quality assurance with photographic records and batch numbers for potting compounds used.
  • Cable protection sleeves and seals are installed alongside the potted area for extra redundancy.

In deeper boreholes, we may opt to factory-pot sensors prior to mobilisation to avoid issues and retrieval and replacement.

What Potting Material Should You Use?

Different types of potting materials come with different durabilities, signal stabilities and long-term accuraces. At the same time, different piezometers, installation depths and site conditions demand tailored compounds that balance sensor protection with signal transmission.

For vibrating wire piezometers, epoxy-based compounds are often used because of their excellent adhesion and resistance to water ingress. These materials form a rigid seal around the cable and strain-sensitive components, ensuring stability during ground and temperature changes.

On the other hand, managers might select a urethane or silicone-based compound for its flexibility where movement or vibration is a concern.

Supporting Reliable Monitoring in WA Conditions

It doesn’t matter what you’re monitoring – the integrity of your piezometer data depends on every detail. That includes how the sensors are potted.

Working with Monitel, you gain a partner that understands how field conditions impact long-term performance. We deliver robust, potted sensors that are fit for your regulatory, engineering and operational needs.

We can assist with installation for a:

  • Vibrating Wire Piezometer
  • Standpipe Piezometer
  • Drive Point Piezometer
  • And other types of sensor

For more information or to enquire about potting services, contact Monitel.

Installation Techniques for Vibrating Wire Piezometers in Deep Boreholes

Installing a vibrating wire piezometer in a deep borehole requires careful planning, reliable instrumentation and a comprehensive methodology. With proper preparation, you set your self up for high-quality data with long-term reliability.

In Western Australia, extreme ground conditions and strict regulatory expectations are the norm, so precision in borehole installations is essential for effective monitoring.

Drawing on Monitel’s practical experience in WA industry, this guide outlines best-practice techniques for vibrating wire piezometer installation in deep boreholes.

What Is a Piezometer?

A piezometer is a geotechnical instrument used to measure pore water pressure in soil, rock or fill material. The vibrating wire piezometer is a subcategory of this sensor that converts pressure changes into frequency shifts in a tensioned wire. Those are then translated into pressure readings.

They have a rugged design, long-term stability and are resistant to electrical noise – making them ideal for deep installations and remote monitoring. That might include tailings dam surveillance, groundwater management projects or a broader regulatory compliance system.

Planning for Deep Borehole Installations

Before installation, project managers and engineers must define:

  • Target monitoring depth(s)
  • Expected groundwater and geotechnical conditions
  • Borehole diameter and casing type
  • Backfill requirements
  • Data retrieval method

Our team can assist with site-specific assessments to determine the ideal installation plan. For deep boreholes, a vibrating wire piezometer is preferred for its signal integrity and compatibility with automation.

Step-by-Step Installation Method

1. Drill and Log the Borehole

Using the appropriate drilling technique, we advance the borehole to the required depth. Our team also collect data during this stage to verify stratigraphy and determine the placement of sensors.

2. Assemble the Sensor

Each vibrating wire piezometer is assembled with its cable, protective tubing and a porous filter tip. We ensure they are waterproofed and tested for signal integrity prior to deployment.

3. Position the Sensor at Depth

We lower the sensor to the target depth using a weighted guide or PVC pipe to prevent twisting and tangling. If multiple sensors are being installed in the same hole, we pre-plan a string with sensors at designated intervals.

4. Place Filter Sand

A graded silica sand is poured around the piezometer tip to ensure hydraulic connection with the surrounding soil or rock. It enhances the sensor’s ability to measure true pore pressure.

5. Seal the Zone

Our team isolate the measurement zone with a bentonite pellet or grout seal. This prevents vertical seepage and hydraulic short-circuiting, both of which distort readings.

6. Backfill the Borehole

The remainder of the borehole is filled with bentonite, cement grout or a mix of both. If multiple sensors are installed, we may alternate sand and bentonite seals.

7. Cable Protection and Surface Termination

Protected with conduit or casing, sensor cables are routed up the borehole. At the surface, they are terminated in the datalogger of your choosing. Our team will make sure all installations are secured and labelled for easy maintenance.

Considerations for Western Australian Conditions

In WA, deep boreholes are often located in remote, high-temperature and/or corrosive environments like:

  • Mine pit walls in the Pilbara
  • Tailings dams in Goldfields regions
  • Transport corridors over reactive clay formations

These conditions are harsh and unforgiving, so it’s important to select a VWP with an appropriate cable length, pressure range and temperature tolerance. We also stock and install high-temperature vibrating wire piezometers for sites where geothermal gradients or buried infrastructure make standard hardware unviable.

When it comes to data acquisition, we design systems with WA’s telemetry limitations in mind. That includes automated, solar-powered and satellite-capable options where cellular coverage is poor or regular access is difficult.

Choose Monitel for Vibrating Wire Piezometer Installations?

There’s no single solution to installing a vibrating wire piezometer in a deep borehole. For a seamless, precise installation you need to consult geotechnical specialists and invest in reliable instrumentation.

That’s exactly what we deliver across Western Australia. With a tailored monitoring system and hands-on support, Monitel can help you assess subsurface conditions with confidence.

From installation to data interpretation, we take a technology agnostic approach that prioritises the needs of your site. We don’t choose the sensors convenient to us – we choose the sensors ideal for you.

If you’d like help designing or installing a VWP monitoring system for your site, contact the Monitel team today.

How to Install a Piezometer: A Step-by-Step Field Guide

In Western Australia’s complex resource and infrastructure industries, the piezometer has proven an essential tool for geotechnical and environmental monitoring.

Proper piezometer installation is crucial to obtaining reliable data, whether it’s for monitoring groundwater levels, pore water pressure or supporting regulatory compliance.

In this guide, we outline the general steps for installing common types of piezometer and some important considerations for ensuring long-term accuracy and performance.

What Is a Piezometer?

A piezometer is a sensor used to measure pore water pressure within soil, rock or fill material. They detect the pressure of groundwater in a specified zone, helping engineers assess ground stability, seepage risk and the effectiveness of drainage systems.

They are essential for borehole monitoring, tailings dam safety, and infrastructure development, where understanding subsurface behaviour is critical to structural integrity and regulatory compliance. Here’s how they should be installed:

Step 1: Planning the Installation

Before any fieldwork, you must undertake detailed planning. A well constructed plan includes:

  • Site assessment: Understand the geotechnical conditions.
  • Sensor selection: Choose the appropriate piezometer type (e.g. vibrating wire for long-term data, standpipe for manual monitoring or pressure transducer for real-time remote reporting).
  • Depth determination: Define your monitoring depths based on the zone of interest.
  • Compliance check: Ensure installation plans meet relevant WA regulations, such as Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations 2022, DWER licensing conditions and local government requirements.

Monitel supports clients in designing installation plans that produce high-quality data and are compliant with relevant guidelines

Step 2: Drilling or Driving the Borehole

Most piezometers are installed in boreholes, although some models can be deployed without drilling (such as drive-in).

For borehole installations:

  • Drill to the target depth using appropriate methods
  • Use temporary casing to prevent collapse during installation, especially in unconsolidated soils.

For drive-in piezometers:

  • Use a drop weight or pushing system to insert the sensor directly into soft soils. This will minimise site disturbance.

Be sure to make observations and log soil and groundwater data during drilling. This can prove useful when adjusting the final sensor placement.

Step 3: Sensor Placement

For vibrating wire and strain gauge piezometer installation:

  • Position the sensor tip at the specified depth.
  • Surround it with clean, saturated silica sand to ensure hydraulic connectivity.
  • Install a bentonite seal above the sand layer to isolate the sensor zone from upper groundwater.
  • Backfill the remaining borehole.

For standpipe piezometers:

  • Lower the open-ended PVC pipe (with porous tip) to the target depth.
  • Install sand around the tip, followed by a bentonite plug to isolate the intake zone.
  • Cap and protect the top of the pipe with a surface casing for easy manual readings.

For pressure transducer models:

  • These can be installed inside standpipes or directly in open boreholes.
  • Cable management and seal integrity are key to avoiding data noise and water ingress.

Step 4: Data Connection and Logging

Once the sensors are placed, connect cables to a logger or telemetry system. Monitel offer telemetry compatible systems for:

Data can be manually downloaded or sent to a cloud-based dashboard with real time visualisation and alerting. Logging fequency can vary from every few minutes to daily.

Step 5: Surface Completion and Protection

We like to consider these two facts when constructing a monitoring system:

  • Piezometers are an investment
  • Your site likely needs long-term results for compliance and planning.

For those reasons, it’s critical to protect the installation from environmental degradation. To do so, you can:

  • Use a concrete pad or bollards to protect boreholes in trafficable areas.
  • Label the piezometer location clearly with ID, depth and installation date.
  • For standpipes, install a lockable cap to prevent tampering and contamination.

Step 6: Calibration and Initial Readings

Once installed:

  • Take baseline readings to establish pre-monitoring pore pressure conditions.
  • Verify logger configuration and connectivity.
  • For vibrating wire sensors, ensure the frequency range is correct and stable.
  • Log any field notes, weather or site activities that might influence early readings.

Tips for Long-Term Performance

If your vibrating wire or other piezometer installation will be monitoring long-term, you can keep your results reliable and accurate with:

  • Moisture seals: Always check that seals are intact (especially for electrical sensors).
  • Cable routing: Secure cables to reduce risk of movement, pinching or wildlife interference.
  • Redundancy: Consider a second piezometer to provide backup data.
  • Maintenance: Schedule routine data checks and site inspections. This is almost a necessity in rural WA, where extreme heat and harsh conditions are common.

Get in Touch for Assistance with Piezometer Installation

The Monitel team provide end-to-end piezometer installation services for geotechnical projects across Western Australia.

We’re trainined to understand the state’s unique climate and regulatory landscape and to ensure each system functions as designed. Whether you’re monitoring tailings dams, boreholes or embankments, we’ll keep your data accurate, secure and actionable.

For help with a piezometer installation, get in touch with Monitel.