This unique and up-to-date book deals with the conceptual philosophy behind the use of instruments, and systematically covers their practical use. It is divided into displacement dominated systems and stress recording systems. It discusses the limitations and theoretical background for data assessment and presentation are covered in some detail, with some relevant background material in theoretical soil mechanics. Relevant advanced electronic techniques such as laser scanning in surveying and fibre-optics are also included and communication and data recovery systems are also examined.

Introduction. Geotechnical Instrumentation, the Philosophy of Why, Where and How. A Basic Introduction to Soil Behaviour and Some Engineering Applications. General Concepts of Instrumentation. Horizontal and Vertical Displacement Measurement. Vertical Displacement Measurement. Vibrating Wire Instruments. Interpreting other Vibrating Wire Instruments, Load Cells and Crackmeters. Optical Systems. Data Logging, Recovery and Presentation. Tunnelling Instrumentation. The Bassett Convergence System (BCS). The Source of all Displacements: The Tunnel. Conclusions.

Richard Bassett is former head of Geotechnics at University College, London. He has extensive industry experience as lead consultant to the itmsoil group.