Feb 17, 2021
Your project site is not static, so you need geotechnical instrumentation that can adapt. That’s why Measurand developed SAAV Extend to allow you to easily increase the length of your ShapeArray in the field as your needs change. SAAV Extend is ideal for situations such as increasing the height of a tailings dam while continuing to monitor for movement.
While a fixed-length instrument—either an in-place inclinometer or a SAAV model ShapeArray™—would have to be replaced entirely to accommodate the borehole’s increased length, SAAV Extend’s modular, connective design means scaling along with the dam raise is simple and more cost-effective.
SAAV Extend makes it possible for clients to add sensorized lift extension segments between a top assembly and the existing sensorized segments from the initial installation, known as the base array.
Clients don’t have to haul up the entire ShapeArray when to increase the total sensorized length. Just add the lift extension segments to the initial installation’s base array, along with the desired length of inclinometer casing. Re-attach the top assembly and the SAAV Extend is ready to continuously monitor deformation as the casing is back-filled.
SAAV Extend Top Assembly
The top assembly is the brain of the SAAV Extend that locks the instrument into standard inclinometer casing with Measurand’s patented cyclical installation method.
SAAV Extend Base Array
The base array refers to the sensorized segments at the bottom of the borehole after the initial installation.
SAAV Extend Lift Extension Segments
Lift extension segments added between the top assembly and base array connect to form the SAAV Extend’s total sensorized length.
While SAAV Extend was developed to address the specific needs for clients concerned with tailings and mine waste management, Measurand’s trusted network of distributors see the instrument’s potential utility for other monitoring applications, specifically around mobility and re-usability.
“Large ShapeArrays are cumbersome and difficult to move around, so the possibility of shipping smaller sections and joining them together on-site will make life easier,” Dr. Andrew Ridley, Managing Director at Geotechnical Observations said. “I can also see a possible resurgence of work in the retaining wall sector because contractors will be able to reuse ShapeArrays. This is something that they already do but in the future, they will be able to add sections to make the right length.”
“We can use it for land reclamation, soil improvement—preloading, earth dam, dike, embankment or even offshore platform foundation monitoring,” Eric Hoe, Manager at Diagnostic Engineering Consultants Ltd, said. “Meanwhile it will be more cost-effective for repair or replacement concerned. Now we can move forward together to provide more flexible and precise monitoring service for clients.”
ShapeArray that grows with your monitoring strategy
SAAV Extend will always have a sensorized length that is right for your needs. Individual sensor segments are 500 mm each and can be combined up to a total sensorized length of 200 m.
Simple installation in the field
SAAV Extend’s hand-tight threaded connectors allow clients to easily add sections of lift extension segments without additional tools. Adding new lift extension segments is as simple as twisting, while keyed alignment marks on the connectors maintain the ShapeArray’s azimuth.
A connectable ShapeArray design that is just as durable as SAAV
Designed specifically for the rigours of tailings dam safety monitoring, SAAV Extend is submersible up to a depth of 200 m. SAAV Extend has the same 38-year MTTF as any ShapeArray that Measurand manufactures. It also has the same temperature tolerances and tensile strength, so clients can trust SAAV Extend in as wide a range of environments as existing SAAV models.
Real-time measurements in real-world conditions
You cannot guarantee pristine conditions in the field when you need to perform your ShapeArray installation. That’s why SAAV Extend’s connectors have a 300-psi open-face pressure rating. You can connect segments in the rain without worrying about damaging your instruments.
Total control to monitor the zone of interest
Clients can use silent segments first introduced with SAAV, in addition to SAAV Extend’s lift extension segments to target the total sensorized length towards the geologic zone of interest.