Structure Movement Monitoring London – Building Stability and Structural Surveys
Movement monitoring in building structures is a vital aspect of ensuring structural integrity and safety during construction and renovation projects. It involves the measurement and analysis of any shifts or deformations in a building over time.
In this article, we’re exploring how movement monitoring in building structures works, as well as visiting a variety of scenarios where movement monitoring surveys can prove invaluable.
What is movement monitoring in building structures?
Any building, structure or piece of land can be subject to movement for a variety of natural or human-led reasons. Movement monitoring surveys are designed to identify and track such movement.
High-accuracy total-station instruments are used to determine both off-site baseline control to establish accurate and repeatable coordination, and the monitoring target coordinates on the face of the structure. These coordinates are then measured at regular intervals over time to detect any movement.
A total-station is a modern surveying instrument comprising an electronic theodolite and electronic distance measurement. The theodolite uses a calibrated rotating telescope to measure angles across horizontal and vertical planes, to 1/3600th of a degree of accuracy.
During the movement monitoring survey, reports are generated at regular intervals. They provide detailed comparisons against the baseline coordinates, which are shown as positive and negative movement values in three dimensions.
Learn more about movement monitoring surveys in detail – read our guide.
When are movement monitoring surveys valuable?
Movement monitoring in building structures proves useful in a variety of scenarios.
Residential property renovations
Homeowners undertaking significant renovations, such as a basement or loft conversion or extension, often come up against concerns from neighbours who are nervous about the impact of the works on their properties.
Such concerns can escalate into disputes, and sometimes legal challenges. However, a movement monitoring survey allows any movement to be identified early on, before any liabilities for claims arise.
Movement monitoring surveys provide an objective measure of any structural changes, helping to put neighbours’ minds at ease, and prevent costly conflicts.
Example scenario – basement conversion
A homeowner plans to excavate and convert their basement into a living space. Neighbours, concerned about potential deformation or damage to their own properties, enrols (at the cost of the developing homeowner) a Party Wall Surveyor to establish their rights and raise any objections within the framework of the Party Wall Award.
The Party Wall Award specifies that the developing homeowner engages an independent movement monitoring surveyor to track any movements across neighbouring buildings. The survey will ensure that any issues are pinpointed early so they can be addressed promptly. It’s a proactive approach that fosters good neighbourly relations, and mitigates potential disputes.
Underpinning monitoring
Underpinning is a common technique used to strengthen the foundations of existing buildings. In the case of a basement excavation project, underpinning is undertaken progressively in small sections to secure the foundations before the bulk of the basement volume is excavated.
It is essential for a movement monitoring scheme to be in place before any underpinning is started to provide baseline coordinates, and continue during and after underpinning to ensure the stability and effectiveness of the work.
Example scenario – underpinning an old building
Engineers are underpinning an old building to prevent further subsidence. A movement monitoring scheme is set up to track the building’s response to the underpinning.
By measuring the precise movements of the structure, engineers can confirm the success of the underpinning process, and make any necessary adjustments to ensure its ongoing effectivity.
Testing temporary support structures
Monitoring the likes of scaffolding, temporary bracing or shoring is essential to ensure it performs as expected, and that the structure it is supporting does not compromise the surrounding environment or the safety of onsite personnel.
Example scenario – high rise construction
Engineers install temporary supports to hold up a critical section of a high rise building during construction. Movement monitoring surveys track any shifts in these supports, ensuring they remain secure and effective, helping prevent structural failures and ensuring ongoing site safety.
Determining subsidence
Following reports of potential subsidence, insurers may instruct movement monitoring surveys to ensure any structural issues are accurately diagnosed and addressed.
Example scenario – subsidence insurance claim
A homeowner discovers cracks appearing in their walls and notifies their insurer, who in turn instructs a surveyor to conduct a movement monitoring survey to monitor the property over several months or years.
By tracking any ongoing movement in direction and extent, it is possible for the engineer to assess the cause – whether ground subsidence or any other environmental factors – and determine the structural implications or superficiality of the cracks. This allows the insurer to make informed decisions about any necessary repairs.
Who Should Instruct a Movement Monitoring Survey?
Movement monitoring in building structures is beneficial for various stakeholders involved in construction and renovation projects:
Homeowners and Property Developers
Property owners planning significant renovations, such as extensions or loft or basement conversions, are well advised to instruct movement monitoring surveys to safeguard their property and reassure neighbouring property owners.
Similarly, property developers working on large-scale projects need these surveys to ensure the stability and safety of their developments.
Engineers and Construction Managers
Engineers and construction managers responsible for the structural integrity of a project are wise to incorporate movement monitoring surveys into their site management plans.
This proactive measure can be valuable in identifying potential issues early on, preventing remediation costs and delay penalties, and ensuring compliance with safety standards.
Party Wall Surveyors
Party Wall Surveyors play a vital role in establishing rights, mitigating disputes and ensuring compliance with the legal requirements related to shared structures.
By instructing movement monitoring surveys, Party Wall Surveyors can provide objective data to resolve disputes, and to ensure that construction activities do not adversely affect adjoining properties.
Insurance Providers and Risk Assessors
Insurance providers and risk assessors use movement monitoring surveys to evaluate the risks associated with construction projects.
The surveys provide valuable data that can influence insurance premiums and policy terms, reflecting the level of risk management and safety measures in place.
Ready to book a movement monitoring survey?
Movement monitoring in building structures is essential to ensure the safety, stability, and success of structural alteration and renovation projects.
At Callidus Building Surveys Ltd, we conduct all our movement monitoring surveys on a tailored basis, with a bespoke specification and scheme design for the best value results. We also have access to specialist, sub-millimetre equipment for projects where critical monitoring is required in real time.
To get things moving, all we need is an address, an indication of the reasons for the monitoring survey and provision of any supporting documents (party wall and/or engineer’s requirements). Our highly experienced survey engineers will then prepare a detailed specification and scheme design proposal, setting out the nature and setup of the equipment, the accuracies and tolerances, the frequency of site visits, and the short and longer-term programme.
Ready to proceed? Please email us your survey details and we’ll get back to you with a tailored quote.