Wall monitoring programs don’t always run for years. Many projects only need to monitor a weeks or months long period.

In cases of high but short term risk, a tiltmeter rental offers a flexible alternative to permanent systems. They provide reliable movement data without the capital investment or lengthy lead times. At Monitel, our consultants have vast experience deploying such systems in excavation and support works across WA.

In this guide, we explain why tiltmeter rentals are ideal for short term tunnel and wall deformation monitoring. To discuss your site with one of our consultants, get in touch.

When Does Short Term Monitoring Makes Sense?

If conditions are changing quickly, a permanent monitoring installation might not be the best decision. Instead, short term monitoring could suit:

• Deep excavation works
• Temporary shoring systems
• Structural modifications or retrofits
• Pre-load or commissioning phases

Here, the goal is to capture reliable data during a short window and then remove the system once the risk period has passed.

Why a Tiltmeter is Perfect to Rent

Quick to Install

These sensors are surface mounted and can be fixed directly onto steel, concrete or shotcrete. With minimal preparation required, you can begin monitoring almost immediately after the sensors arrive on site.

Easy to Relocate

As works progress, areas of concern shift and grow. Tiltmeter monitoring systems can be easily scaled or repositioned to cover the area that matters most.

Remote Data Logging

Tilt sensors pair with most standard data loggers and telemetry systems to provide real time data access and reduce the need for manual inspections.

Little Interference with Daily Operations

There’s no need for drilling or complex installation with these sensors. A tiltmeter can be deployed and operated without disrupting your normal activities.

Why Choose a Rental?

If your project is temporary or short term, renting a tiltmeter comes with some clear advantages.

There’s lower upfront costs, with no need to invest in the equipment yourself, the storage and maintenance costs are zero and you’ll have access to up to date, market leading technology. ON top of that, our consultants provide you ongoing support from installation through to data interpretation and compliance reporting.

Ownership might be the right approach for long term monitoring programs, but for temporary works, rentals are the more practical and affordable solution.

How Monitel Uses Tilt Sensors in Wall Monitoring

Our consultants have deployed rental tiltmeters on sites across WA. We have worked on projects including:

• Basement excavations in urban environments, where wall movement must be tracked during staged digging
• Infrastructure upgrades, where existing walls are modified or strengthened
• Tunnel and shaft construction, particularly during early excavation phases
• Retaining wall installations, where behaviour is monitored until backfilling or loading is complete

All systems are site specific and designed to capture accurate, real time data with a simple monitoring set up.

How We Support Rental Projects

Monitel understands the benefits and convenience of rental monitoring. Our team works to get a system in place quickly, ensure it works reliably and make the data easy to interpret. Our end to end services include:

• System design
• Installation and commissioning
• Setup of data systems and alert thresholds
• Ongoing support throughout the monitoring period, including with compliance reporting
• Removal and decommissioning once the project is complete

Monitel leverages it’s partnerships with Viotel, Wisen and Osprey Measurements to supply market leading tiltmeter technology. Nonetheless, we firmly believe in a brand and product agnostic approach and will always select the equipment best suited to your monitoring needs.

Get in Touch to Arrange Wall or Ground Movement Monitoring

Short term wall monitoring does not need to be complex or expensive. A tiltmeter rental is the straightforward and affordable route toward reliable data that enables confident and informed decision making.

If your project requires monitoring for only weeks or months, it is worth considering rental equipment. To make an enquiry with a member of our team, click here.

A tiltmeter is a practical and effective way to monitor wall movement on engineering projects in Western Australia. But whether installed on a retaining wall or tunnel lining, it’s efficacy depends almost entirely on how and where it is mounted.

A poorly installed tilt sensor will introduce noise, drift and incorrect readings. Following best practices for mounting and adjusting your approach to the type of surface in question will reduce irregularities down the line.

This guide outlines best practices for mounting tilt sensors. To discuss wall and tunnel deformation monitoring with a Monitel consultant, click here.

Mounting to Concrete Walls

Concrete is one of the most common surfaces in projects where we would use a tiltmeter. Examples include retaining walls and bridge abutments.

Key Considerations

• Surface Preparation
• Fixing Method
• Alignment
• Environmental Protection

Our consultants will ensure the monitored wall is properly prepared for monitoring, cleaning and adjusting to create a stable contact point. From there, we mount the sensor using anchor bolts or threaded inserts (mechanical options always chosen in longer term programs).

Once mounted, sensors are aligned in accordance with system design. This is usually perpendicular to the wall face or along the axis of expected rotation. We complete the process by accounting for any environmental forces that could damage the sensor and/or its data.

Mounting to Steel Structures

Walls, sheet piles and frames made of steel are common in excavation support systems, which make up a large portion of our tiltmeter monitoring work. These installations typically involve greater vibration and more dynamic loading.

Key Considerations

• Attachment Method
• Cable Management
• Vibration Management
• Thermal Expansion

We account for those complexities from the beginning, selecting a bolted or mounted attachment method to suit the structure. All cabling is managed in a way that limits any noise it could introduce to your readings. If necessary, vibration management measures are installed alongside the sensor.

Steel is, of course, prone to contraction and expansion with temperature changes and our team will provide ongoing data interpretation support to help you account for data differences.

Mounting to Shotcrete Walls

Shotcrete is found in tunnels, shafts and, similar to steel, excavation supports. It’s a varied surface and requires a much more considered approach to ensure the sensor remains stable and accurate during the monitoring period.

Key Considerations

• Surface Irregularity
• Fixings
• Early-Stage Installation
• Ongoing Stability

Sensors can be installed too soon after shotcrete application. Monitel takes care in ensuring the material has sufficiently cured and can provide a stable base. We also choose installation locations to maximise stability and minimise the effect of any cracks or degradations the shotcrete suffers over time.

As mentioned, shotcrete surfaces are often uneven so our consultants may consider using a mounting plate to create a flat point of contact for the sensor. Depending on the strength of the shotcrete layer, we will mount the sensor with either anchors of chemical fixings.

How Monitel Supports Tilt Sensor Installation

Monitel consultants provide end to end support and design of tiltmeter monitoring systems. Our services include:

• Sensor selection and system design
• Site specific installation planning based on wall type and conditions, including mounting hardware where needed
• Installation and alignment
• Integration with new or existing data systems
• Ongoing support with data interpretation, troubleshooting and compliance reporting

We leverage our partnerships with Wisen, Viotel and Osprey Measurements to provide WA operators with market leading instrumentation. Nonetheless, we take great pride in our brand and product agnostic approach and will always choose the technology that serves your needs, not our bottom line.

Get in Touch to Arrange a Consultation

Mounting a tiltmeter correctly is essential in gathering meaningful and valid data. Whether working with concrete, steel or shotcrete, the goal must be the same: create a stable, reliable connection that provides a true reflection of structural movement.

Monitel consultants specialise in creating surface and site specific plans to achieve that goal.

To discuss wall or ground movement monitoring with one of our consultants, click here.

When deep excavation projects fail, it’s often because the warning signs were missed.

Monitel integrates high precision tiltmeters into our monitoring systems to ensure those red flags are identified. Our solutions are designed to empower engineers and site managers to make informed, proactive decisions about project safety and compliance.

In this article, we go through 4 red flags a tiltmeter can identify in deep excavations and how they prevent failure. To discuss monitoring on your site, get in touch.

What are the early warning signs for excavation instability?

Cracks and visible damage aren’t warning signs. By the time those appear, the risk has already escalated.

During deep excavation monitoring, Monitel consultants look for these red flags:

• Small angular changes in walls or structures
• Subtle shifts in movement trends
• Behaviour that deviates from design assumptions

A tiltmeter is designed purely to detect these small changes. That’s why we often deploy them as a first line indicator in our ground movement monitoring systems.

How Monitel consultants build tilt sensors into monitoring systems

The best way to use a tiltmeter isn’t in isolation, it’s in tandem with other instruments. Monitel designs broader systems that use tiltmeters to detect angular change, inclinometers to measure lateral movement and visual checks to confirm surface level changes.

This allows us to develop a holistic picture of and gather immediate data on:

• Retaining walls
• Capping beams
• Adjacent infrastructure
• Temporary works

In short, we don’t deploy a tiltmeter in place of any other tool. We use them as an early trigger for anything that needs further investigation.

The warning signs explained

During deep excavation monitoring, our tiltmeters identify 4 critical early stage behaviours:

1. Wall rotation

Retaining walls don’t just fail out of the blue – rotation is incremental as loads change during excavation. A tiltmeter catches these changes early and allows engineers to take appropriate action.

2. Load redistribution in temporary works

As works progress, loads shift between supports. This can cause rotations in connected elements.

3. Structural response

New forces are introduced during excavation, propping and dewatering. Tiltmeter data allows engineers to confirm whether the structure is responding as expected during each of those stages or if adjustments must be made.

4. Movement in adjacent structures

Nearby infrastructure is rarely immune to excavation. Tiltmeters track small rotations and identify when intervention is required.

When Should Tiltmeters Be Installed?

A tiltmeter monitoring system should be installed before excavation begins. That allows engineers to establish a reliable baseline they can use to analyse future changes.

Depending on the nature of your operation, ‘before excavation’ could mean pre-construction, before a major load change or at the start of a high risk stage.

Integrate your tiltmeter into a wider monitoring system

Monitel consultants understand that a tiltmeter is most valuable when used in tandem with other sensors. We leverage our partnerships with Wisen, Viotel and Osprey Measurements to provide clients with market leading tiltmeters, inclinometers and other sensors.

All Monitel instrumentation can be integrated into new or existing data systems, enabling:

• Continuous data
• Remote access to real time information
• Automated threshold alerts

That means engineers can adopt a proactive, not reactive, approach to risk management. Instead of responding to visible damage, they can adjust excavation sequencing and modify support systems before any warnings escalate into catastrophic failures.

How should thresholds be set?

Automated threshold alerts notify when acceptable levels of movement have been exceeded. The ‘trigger level’ is set by engineers as the point where movement requires action.

They usually look like this:

• Green = normal
• Amber = review
• Red = intervene

Alerts don’t have to be focused on movement magnitude. They can also be based on rate and trend so that tiltmeter data becomes an early warning system.

Get in touch to arrange ground movement or deep excavation monitoring on your site

Deep excavations don’t fail because they’re unpredictable. They fail because site managers failed to implement effective monitoring systems that identify early signs of risk.

Monitel implements market leading tiltmeters into monitoring strategies that give engineers visibility over all stages of movement. That enables fast, simple and cost effective intervention.

For more information or to discuss a deep excavation monitoring system on your site, get in touch with a Monitel consultant.

Temporary support systems are critical in maintaining stability during excavation works. These are the structures that protect surrounding assets and ensure safe working conditions for your staff.

In Western Australia’s complex regional environments, design assumptions are rarely sufficient in guaranteeing the performance and compliance of your support systems. To ensure they are performing as intended, validation through a tiltmeter monitoring system is essential.

Monitel designs tailored deep excavation monitoring systems to enable proactive risk management and compliance. We leverage our partnerships with Osprey Measurements, Wisen and Viotel to serve WA clients with leading instrumentation and high precision data.

In this article, we discuss the four key benefits these systems provide. For more information or to arrange a consultation, get in touch.

Temporary Support Systems Must Be Validated

Support of excavation (SOE) systems control soil movement and maintain structural integrity during the excavation process. But their performance is heavily influenced by soil type, groundwater behaviour, depth and external loads.

If one of these factors deviates even slightly, it could be indicative of a developing risk. Lateral wall movement, settlement behind the wall and increased loads on anchors are all dangerous in these contexts.

A deep excavation monitoring system identifies these issues before they develop into structural damage and safety issues. It ensures that your SOE’s performance aligns with design expectations and meets compliance standards.

Using Tiltmeters in Deep Excavation Monitoring

A tiltmeter is a high precision instrument that measures small angular changes in human made structures. Capable of detecting minute shifts in inclination, they’re ideal for long term deformation monitoring.

Monitel consultants frequently deploy tilt sensors in deep excavations, installing them on:

• Retaining walls
• Capping beams
• Struts and bracing systems

This allows us to track rotational movement that could suggest the SOE system is responding differently than expected under load. That’s particularly useful during digging and dewatering, where ground behaviour is constantly changing.

Real Time Data & Proactive Decision Making: Tiltmeters’ #1 Advantage

Continuous, real time data is the main advantage Monitel clients report from their tiltmeter systems. It enables early detection and proactive action, the modern standard for risk management.

Early detection is possible because of a tiltmeter’s capacity to measure minute changes. Such changes are rarely visible during periodic manual inspections and that often means cracking or displacement develop before any intervention can take place.

A tiltmeter will identify small changes and alert engineers when thresholds are exceeded. From there, proactive action can be taken to address those issues before they escalate.

Benefit #2: Validate Design Assumptions in the Field

Using a tiltmeter provides objective evidence of how temporary support systems are behaving under real conditions. That data can be used to validate design assumptions and prove your SOE system’s regulatory compliance.

For example, engineers can confirm:

• Whether wall movements are within predicted limits
• Whether support elements are distributing load as expected
• Whether the system is responding consistently throughout excavation

That feedback loop is essential in complex and high risk projects. Where conditions are changing rapidly, you have the information you need to guide any changes or adjustments.

Benefit #3: Versatility Across Projects

Deep excavation monitoring is a must for many construction, mining and infrastructure projects. A tiltmeter is suitably versatile, deployable in:

• Urban environments
• Tunnel construction or shaft development
• Retaining walls
• Much more

Tilt sensors are particularly effective where access is restricted or constant monitoring is required to meet compliance standards. They can also be integrated into wider systems and used alongside inclinometers or strain gauges to provide a more comprehensive picture of site behaviour.

Benefit #4: Create Safe, Compliant Projects

Proper monitoring contributes to a safe and compliant project

In validating temporary support systems, you don’t just reduce the likelihood of structural failure – you demonstrate initiative when it comes to risk management. This is vital should you project be subject to regulatory inspection or audit.

On more complex sites, this requirement is only greater. A tiltmeter system offers a reliable and scalable way to fulfil your obligations.

Get in Touch to Arrange Ground Movement and Deep Excavation Monitoring

SOE systems are the core of excavation safety. But to ensure maximum performance, they must be validated under real conditions.

Monitel’s tiltmeter monitoring systems offer a precise, real time method for tracking structural movement and verifying the stability of your site. We leverage our partnerships with leading manufacturers to enable proactive risk management on sites across WA.

For more information or to arrange a consultation, speak with Monitel today.

Not every project requires a permanent monitoring installation.

Across WA’s construction, infrastructure and mining industries, there are may situations where sensors are only needed for a short period, whether it be during excavation, load testing or high risk phases. In the cases, rental options can be a practical and low cost path to high quality data.

In this article, we run through our tiltmeter rental offerings and how they can prove invaluable to short term and tight budget projects in WA. For more information or to arrange a site visit, get in touch.

Why Rent a Tiltmeter?

Tilt sensors are widely used to detect angular movement in structures and conduct slope stability monitoring. But although they’re required by projects all over WA, purchasing and maintaining them isn’t always efficient.

Renting allows site managers to access the latest monitoring technology without the upfront investment. It’s perfect for short term monitoring programs or works governed by tight budget. Other benefits include the reduced need for long term storage and maintenance as well as the flexibility to scale your monitoring efforts up or down as needed.

Rentals are particularly valuable for consultants or contractors managing multiple projects at a time. If those projects have varying monitoring requirements, you won’t need to bear the costs of purchasing countless units

When Does Renting a Tiltmeter Make Sense?

Renting a tilt sensor is the most effective option for projects with clearly defined timelines or temporary risk periods. This includes:

Excavation and Temporary Works

Retaining walls and other structures can experience brief periods of movement during excavation. Monitoring ground movement with a tiltmeter lets engineers understand the extent of deviation and any associated risks. The sensors can be quickly and easily removed once the rental period ends.

Construction Phase Monitoring

Piling, loading and structural modifications can all introduce temporary instability. Renting a tiltmeter allows engineers to monitor these risks without spending capital on a permanent system.

Proof Testing

Tilt sensors are ideal for ground movement monitoring during load testing and commissioning phases. Rentals are a great option if structural performance verification is your only use for a sensor.

Emergency or Reactive Monitoring

Unexpected movement could occur at any time and your project might not be able to afford the upfront costs of purchasing a monitoring system. Tiltmeter rentals can be rapidly deployed to provide immediate data and support critical decisions.

Our Consultants Work to Maintain the Highest Standards of Data Quality

“Rental equipment compromises on quality”. This is one of the biggest misconceptions in structural and geotechnical monitoring.

It’s easy to understand why – accurate data is the key in making the right decision around safety, compliance and project goals. Poor or misinterpreted data could be disastrous.

But, with expert configuration and calibration, a rented tiltmeter delivers the same level of accuracy and reliability as any permanent installation. Monitel consultants are trained in ensuring sensors are:

• Correctly installed and aligned
• Calibrated before deployment
• Integrated into a suitable data acquisition system
• Checked on and maintained throughout the monitoring periods

That training is completed right here in WA so our entire team understands of how sensors must adapt to the state’s harsh and varying environments.

Monitel’s Flexible Approach to Monitoring

Every project is different. Different environments, different goals, different regulatory boundaries. We believe every monitoring solution should reflect that.

Renting a tilt sensor provides flexibility for projects where:

• Monitoring is only required for a specific phase
• Budgets need to be carefully managed
• Rapid deployment is critical
• Equipment requirements may change over time

Flexibility also comes in our brand and technology agnostic approach. Although we partner with Viotel, Osprey Measurements and Wisen to supply market leading tiltmeters, we never put brand allegiance above the needs of your project. All sensors are chosen to suit the environmental and regulatory realities of your site, not what’s best for our bottom line.

That allows us to maintain the highest standard of safety, compliance and monitoring.

Get in Touch to Arrange Ground Movement Monitoring

Whether you need monitoring for a few weeks or several months, we can deliver a solution that fits your timeline, budget and risk profile.

A project may be temporary, but it still demands accurate and reliable data. Whether you need monitoring for a few weeks or several months, Monitel can deliver a solution that fits your timeline, budget and risk profile.

All solutions are supported with full system design, installation assistance, data integration and ongoing maintenance. Our consultants are also available to assist with your reporting and liaison with regulatory bodies.

To arrange ground movement monitoring on your site or discuss our sensor range, get in touch.