Reliable, Accurate & Manageable Applications for a Vibrating Wire Piezometer

The Vibrating Wire Piezometer (VWP) is a trusted tool for measuring pore water pressure in geotechnical environments. From boreholes and tailings dams to embankments, tunnels and settlement zones, these sensors are can detect early warning signs of instability and protect regulatory obligations.

At Monitel, we specialise in selecting and installing VWPs that suit the demands of your site and project scope. In this article, we’ll explore where VWPs can be used and why they’re one of the most reliable sensor types for long-term, real-world monitoring.

What Is a Vibrating Wire Piezometer?

A vibrating wire piezometer uses a tensioned wire to measure changes in pore water pressure. As groundwater pressure acts on the sensor’s diaphragm, it changes the wire’s vibration frequency. That signal is converted into a pressure reading that can be logged on-site or transmitted remotely.

The vibrating wire piezometer is favoured for it’s ease of installation, accuracy and long-term stability. Furthermore, it is resistance to electrical interference and other cable noise makes it ideal for use in Western Australia’s remote regions where manual access is often limited.

We stock a wide range of VWPs, including:

• Standard vibrating wire piezometers
• High-temperature VWPs
• Compact VWPs for constrained boreholes

You can see our full range of VWPs here.

1. Boreholes

VWPs are frequently installed in boreholes to measure groundwater and pore pressure at various depths. Our installations are tailored to borehole design, with proper backfill and sealing techniques used to isolate the measurement zone.

Their data can be used to support:

• Dewatering programs
• Foundation stability assessments
• Environmental baseline studies
• Long-term construction impact analysis

At Monitel, our team will often pair a VWP with other borehole instruments like standpipes and inclinometers. This allows for a more detailed profile of subsurface conditions.

2. Tailings Dams

Pore pressure is a critical to a tailings dam’s stability. By embedding a VWP in embankments or placing one at depth, site managers can detect:

• Uplift pressure
• Seepage
• Pore pressure increase during rainfall or deposition events
• Potential liquefaction risks

WA regulations such as the Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations 2022 and Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 require dam walls and surrounding zones to be stable and properly monitored. VWPs are a commonly used tool in these frameworks and have proven vital in ensuring ongoing viability.

3. Settlement and Pre-Load Zones

Construction sites with soft soils often require preloading to consolidate ground before building. During this process a vibrating wire piezometer can be installed beneath the pre-load to track how pore pressure dissipates over time. Pore pressure is a useful indicator in these circumstances, giving managers a strong sense of when it’s safe to proceed with foundation work.

Monitel successful monitored a pre-load zone at the Alkimos Desalination Plant, using a vibrating wire piezometer to track pore pressure beneath a proposed tank. The data assisted engineers in confirming soil stability, preventing premature construction and potential ground moment.

4. Tunnels and Underground Infrastructure

In underground projects, VWPs assist with:

• Monitoring pore pressure changes near tunnel linings
• Detecting ingress risks
• Supporting dewatering programs during excavation

VWP data can help engineers understand water movement and identify pressure zones that threaten tunnel stability. In urban tunnelling projects, this monitoring also supports risk management for adjacent structures.

5. Landfill, Dams and Water Infrastructure

Beyond resources, environmental projects and civil construction, vibrating wire piezometers are used in:

• Landfills, to track leachate movement
• Water supply dams, to monitor seepage and pressure differentials
• Desalination plants, for settlement and ground saturation assessments

Monitel’s systems can be tailored to suit different methods of data telemetry, allowing us to support different kinds of projects with various reporting obligations and site accessibility.

Contact Monitel & Learn More About How You Can Use a Vibrating Wire Piezometer

If you’re planning a project that involves groundwater, soft soils or slope stability concerns, constructing a robust and reliable monitoring system should be a key priority. Robust and accurate, it’s likely a VWP will be a part of that system.

At Monitel, we pride ourselves on being product-agnostic. From design through to decommission, you can trust that the VWP on your site is suited to your budget and needs.

If you would like to discuss vibrating wire piezometer applications, installation or pricing, you can speak with a member of our team at admin@monitel.com.au or on (08) 6219 8284.