Wellerson Bastos, Marcos Pimenta Filho, Luiza Almeida, Marina Ferreira & Mauro Santos Junior
• Protection against noise sources: Whenever possible, sensors should be installed at a safe distance from motors, generators and other sources of electromagnetic interference[4]
.
• Reconfiguration of dataloggers: After interventions or environmental changes at the monitoring site, dataloggers should be reconfigured to ensure that correction parameters are updated and aligned
with the current field conditions[4] .
• Electrical resistance testing: The resistance of the sensor’s coils and thermistor should be measured and compared to the reference values in the calibration certificate. For instance, the coil resistance
should be around 180 ± 10, while the thermistor resistance should be approximately 3,000[4] .
The systematic application of these verification and fault diagnostic methods ensures that the data obtained is accurate and reliable, supporting robust geotechnical analyses and safe decision-making in large-scale engineering projects. The adoption of advanced technologies, such as VSPECT spectral analysis, strengthens this approach by facilitating the rapid identification of issues and the implementation of corrective measures efficiently.
5. Conclusions This paper presented an in-depth exploration of vibrating wire piezometers (VW piezometers), covering their operational principles, key considerations for installation, and the interpretation of readings to ensure precise geotechnical monitoring of dams. The study highlighted how these instruments contribute to monitoring pore pressures, a critical parameter for assessing dam stability and detecting failure modes such as slope instability and internal erosion. In summary, the article emphasized the importance of proper configuration and maintenance practices
to achieve reliable data. The analysis of manufacturer-specific conversion equations underscored significant differences in calculation methodologies. While some manufacturers, such as DGSI, employ complex polynomial equations to enhance accuracy in varying environmental conditions, others, like Roctest and Soil Instruments, use simpler linear corrections for ease of implementation. This reinforces the need to align the device configuration with the calibration specifications provided by the manufacturer to prevent data inconsistencies.
Key findings: 1. Environmental influence: Temperature fluctuations and barometric pressure significantly impact VW piezometer readings. Instruments such as those by GEOKON have integrated compensation mechanisms to mitigate these effects, ensuring stable readings even in environments prone to abrupt changes.
2. Signal integrity: Advanced signal processing technologies like VSPECT can effectively separate noise from relevant signals, proving valuable in areas affected by electromagnetic interference.
3. Maintenance protocols: Regular maintenance, including resistance checks, connector inspections, and verification of calibration coefficients, is essential to avoid sensor drift, short circuits, and inaccurate measurements.
120 | Dam Engineering | Vol XXXIII Issue 3
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