Australian based geotechnical monitoring group Geomotion, has successfully come to a heads of agreement with SkyGeo for their cutting edge InSAR satellite monitoring technology to be used in Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar and Indonesia.

Geomotion sees InSAR as complementary to existing instrumentation, not as a replacement, working so well together to offer their clients information that has previously been nearly impossible to obtain
 
InSAR stands for Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar and is a proven technique for measuring ground movements. Satellites record images of the Earth, and these images can be combined to measure movements of the ground surface.

InSAR is particularly useful for monitoring dynamic position changes. InSAR’s broad spectrum of impressive features allow for a new depth of insight for projects. A large number of measurements and weekly updates provide a detailed insight in the slope and speed of subsidence. A sudden drop of a small area might be a reason for local inspection. Wider gradual subsidence tells a different story.

​InSAR allows for possible millimetre accuracy, measurements of areas as small as 100m2 up to 10,000km2 and up to 100,000 measurements per km2. Additionally, the data archive goes back to 1992 and covers 70% of the Earth’s land, meaning in some cases it is possible to have data dating back up to 25 years.

​InSAR presents viable and important solutions across many industries, including Mining Stability, Tailings Dam Stability, Civil Engineering and Energy, including oil and gas projects both onshore and offshore.
 
Mining stability monitoring is a service to provide persistent geotechnical risk surveillance to identify areas of abnormal surface movement over time. Mines need to be up and running 24/7 and Geomotion helps achieve that goal by identifying instabilities early. By assessing time-dependent shape changes in InSAR data, geotechnical domain experts can identify patterns of instabilities.

This is a direct pathway to improve asset management in mining operations. Combined with strategically placed geotechnical or structural instrumentation a comprehensive monitoring plan is established.
 
Each mine has several areas of high geotechnical risk, that each require dedicated iterative assessment. Tailings dams pose a special category of risk. Because of environmental issues in the recent past, most mining experts are now looking for continuous monitoring systems to predict instability better. Solid tailings are often used as part of the structure itself and with the tailings being liquid or a slurry of fine particles within groundwater, significant instabilities arise in a variety of ways that are usually not completely understood. With InSAR, Geomotion can help with this understanding. We characterise and quantify these time-dependent degradation processes on a wide area scale and identify different dynamic patterns. Monitoring these patterns continuously is a proven permanent risk management method.

​Geomotion/SkyGeo JV configures InSAR monitoring solutions for their clients, each with a graph of deformation over time. Risk management practitioners use this for predictive maintenance. Geomotion/SkyGeo JV monitors subsidence for many civil engineering projects in this way including roads, railways, dams, bridges, tunnels, airports, pipelines, neighbourhoods, sewage systems, buildings and water defence.

InSAR technology is available from the Geomotion/Skygeo JV now. Enquiries regarding how InSAR can benefit your project can be made today by contacting Geomotion’s offices on 1300 884 542 or click here to send an email. Alternatively, use the form below and a Geomotion representative will ​get in touch with you soon.

The Forrestfield-Airport Link (FAL) project will deliver an 8.5 km extension of the existing PTA urban rail network in Perth, Western Australia connecting the Midland Line, just past Bayswater Station, to Forrestfield, running underground in twin bored tunnels underneath the Swan River, Tonkin Highway and Perth Airport. The project will include three new stations, being: Redcliffe Station (located underground in Redcliffe), Airport Central Station (located underground at Perth Airport to service both domestic and international terminals) and Forrestfield Station.

The project will provide new rail services allowing a 20-minute rail journey from Forrestfield Station to the Perth CBD, improved bus networks for the eastern suburbs, foothills and surrounding communities as well as integration with the full Transperth bus and train network.

Redcliffe Station and Forrestfield Station will have rail-bus interchanges and up to 2,500 new car parking bays in total.

Description of Geomotion Works

Salini Impregilo S.p.A. - NRW Pty Ltd Joint Venture (SI- NRW JV) has entered into an agreement with Field Monitoring Services, Geomotion Australia, Land Surveys Joint Venture (FGLS JV) for the work of:

“SUPPLY, INSTALLATION, TESTING, OPERATION, MAINTENANCE OF GEOTECHNICAL AND SURVEY INSTRUMENTATION, INCLUSIVE OF MONITORING AND MIMS MANAGEMENT FOR FORRESTFIELD AIRPORT LINK PROJECT”.

​Geomotion is working as a part of Joint Venture partner and broadly responsible for the followings works:

• Drilling (through subcontractor) & Installations, maintenance and monitoring of Geotechnical Instruments as per Project Instrumentation and Monitoring Plan (IMP). The monitoring system incorporates installation of Inclinometer tubing with spider magnets/ magnetic ring for DEX system including in-place inclinometers, single and multipoint rod extensometers & displacement transducer, Heave Stake, Piezometers (Vibrating wire, vented pressure transducer with conventional sand filter), Strain Gauges (surface, tunnel segment & strut), Strut Load Cells, Biaxial Tilt meter, Electro level Beam, Vibrometer and Structure Monitoring Prism inside tunnel for convergence monitoring.
• Installation of Dataloggers (miniOmnialog, Omnialog, Loadsensing, Syscom) with telemetry for automation for instruments required near real time measurements.
• Set up & Maintenance of Web based Monitoring Information & Management System (MIMS) using Maxwell Geosystems Mission OS construction data management package. All sensors are either connected to data logging system and is linked to MIMS with telemetry or manual survey data processed & uploaded on MIMS. The software allows direct comparison between monitored and designed behavior including automated reporting.

Geomotion have been commissioned to supply and install geotechnical instrumentation for the Waste Fines Storage Facility Project at Hope Downs 4 DSP Pit. 

The Hope Downs 4 (HD4) mine is an iron ore mine located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, 100 kilometres northwest of Newman. The mine is partly owned and operated by Rio Tinto Iron Ore (RTIO) and is one of twelve iron ore mines the company operates in the Pilbara.
 
UON’s client RTIO required an increase in capacity to the mining site's current waste fines facilities, necessary to continue plant operations. The works involved supply, install and construct the piping and waste fines facilities infrastructure including geotechnical monitoring equipment, relocation of existing infrastructure inclusive of the removal and replacement of HV and fibre optic cable, pumping equipment and an extension to the piping facilities inclusive of trenching earthworks.

The geotechnical monitoring system used the proven Vibrating Wire (VW) Technology on Piezometers and Pressure Cells running below ground conduit excavation along the pit bench attached to Load Sensing VW Node Dataloggers inside two Terminal Boxes located at the pit surface for remote monitoring.
 
The VW Piezometers were installed in 20L buckets filled with saturated waste fines slurry to measure and monitor pore water pressures. The VW Pressure Cells were installed on 500x200mm blinding concrete plinths, backfilled with waste fines, to determine the distribution, magnitude and directions of total soil pressure. The design will be used to monitor and control placement of fill and essentially provide adequate warning of excess soil pressures into the operational life of the pit structure.

​The $1.86 billion Forrestfield-Airport Link is jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian governments and will deliver a new rail service to the eastern suburbs of Perth – with three new stations at Belmont, Airport Central and Forrestfield.

The rail link will connect with the existing Midland line near Bayswater Station and will run to Forrestfield through underground tunnels, to ensure minimal impact on the existing land and road network.

This landmark transport project will:
• Increase public transport options for the eastern suburbs and foothills area.
• Improve access between the city and Perth Airport.
• Drive development in the area to benefit current and future residents.

Early in 2016, the major contract for the Forrestfield-Airport Link project was awarded to Salini Impregilo - NRW Joint Venture (SI-NRW). This contract will see SI-NRW design and build 8km of rail tunnels and three new train stations, and maintain the infrastructure of some items for a 10-year period, once the project is complete in 2020.”

Source: www.forrestfieldairportlink.wa.gov.au 

The FGLS Joint Venture (Field Monitoring Services Australia – Geomotion Australia – Land Surveys) is providing a complete monitoring solution to the lead contractors SI-NRW JV.

SISGEO Group supply and supervise to the installation of all the geotechnical and structural instrumentation, including data loggers (OMNIAlog and miniOMNIAlog) to FGLS JV.

Geomotion Australia are pleased to have completed their first installations on the Forrestfield-Airport Link. The installations of combined inclinometers / extensometers / piezometers as part of the Forrestfield Dive site mark the beginning of an extensive monitoring program set to continue for the next three years.

​Geomotion Australia are part of the FGLS Joint Venture, bringing together Australia’s foremost surveying company, Land Surveys, and Italian monitoring specialists Field Monitoring Australia. The FGLS Joint Venture is providing a complete monitoring solution to the lead contractors SI-NRW JV, a joint venture between Salini Impregilio and Perth’s own NRW Civil & Mining. Geomotion Australia are responsible for the installation and monitoring of all geotechnical and structural instrumentation for the project. Instruments and data loggers will be supplied by Italian manufacturers SISGEO. As well as installation and monitoring, Geomotion are implementing and managing the MIMS (Monitoring Information Management System), Maxwell Geosystem’s Mission OS.

​The Forrestfield-Airport Link project will provide a rail link between Bayswater and Forrestfield, including the construction of three new train stations, Belmont, Airport Central and Forrestfield. The twin tunnels travel beneath critical pieces of infrastructure; including airport runways and existing rail networks. To ensure the highest quality of construction and safety, SI-NRW has put in place the most extensive monitoring program in WA history, and Geomotion Australia is proud to be involved.

Geomotion recently completed the establishment of a complete remote monitoring solution for South32 at its Worsley Alumina refinery near Collie.  The system draws on data from piezometers spread over 5km across the site.

itmsoil Australia has re-branded as Geomotion Australia, a move signifying the recent growth and maturation of the company into a global industry leader.

Geomotion is a leading global provider of geotechnical and monitoring equipment and services for the mining, industrial and civil infrastructure sectors.

Proudly Australian based and operated, we have offices across Asia Pacific, and work on projects as far and wide as Fiji, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Korea, Namibia, Malawi and South Africa.

Our projects include major national and international infrastructure projects for dams and
reservoirs, railways, structures, tunnels, earthworks, excavations and landslides.

Having built strong relationships with manufacturers, we offer world-class products, backed by reliable, local service and support.

Through our innovative approach, cutting-edge solutions, and extensive experience across
multiple industries, we provide clients with access to live, real-time, relevant data efficiently and conveniently.

Using high-quality, sophisticated instrumentation, we provide our clients with assurance, and help them measure the performance of their design, advance their methods and ensure their projects are completed safely and efficiently.

We offer a full turnkey service, including site assessment, supply, installation or installation
supervision, commissioning, base readings and hand-overs, and partner with our clients at any or all project stages.

Our qualified technicians have diverse experience and can provide on-site training for engineers, installers and clients’ staff.

​We also provide maintenance, recalibration and support services for geotechnical monitoring equipment.

If you would like to find out more, do not hesitate to contact us. Our friendly and helpful service team is always willing and happy to assist.

Geomotion Australia are currently looking for Site Technicians and Site Engineers. We have some exciting opportunities and are looking for self-motivated, creative, and energetic people to add to our dynamic team. The role will involve working on Australia’s largest infrastructure and resources projects and travel will be necessary. Experience in the geotechnical instrumentation field is essential.

Sales Engineer - NSW
The position of Sales Engineer is based in our NSW office in Balmain. Duties will be based both in the office and on site. Site work will take place both in Sydney, across Australia and less regularly internationally.

Site Technician - WA
The position of Site Technician will be based in our WA office in Osborne Park. Duties will be based both in the office and on site. Site work will take place both in Perth, across Australia and less regularly internationally.

Please send all expressions of interest to info@geomotion.com.au or complete the form below.

Project: New Perth Stadium Station
Site: Burswood, Perth
Client: Prism Alliance ( Laing O’Rourke, Aecom, Perth Transport Authority)

In 2018, the multi-purpose 60,000 seat new Perth Stadium will open for the kick-off of the AFL season.

To ensure the safe and efficient movement of the crowd within an hour of an event finishing, the new six-platform Stadium Station will be one of the new infrastructure as a part of the transport strategy. Indeed, 28,000 people are expected to leave from the new Perth Stadium Station.

Geomotion has recently completed the installation of eight Vibrating Wire Piezometers, six 4-20mA pressure transducers, seven MEMS tiltmeters, three Settlement Plates and two inclinometers as part of the Perth Stadium Station Project which will be finalised in advance of the  2018 AFL season.

The equipment is used to monitor the pore water pressure, the piezometric head of ground water during dewatering, the tilt of the Victoria Park Bridge and the settlement of surcharge.

Considering the scale of the project and the distances between the sensors installed, it made sense to use the LS-G6 long range wireless telemetry system by its cost effectiveness and long range performance. The gateway receives the data from all the sensors installed onsite with a distance of 3.5 Kilometers form the furthest monitoring point then relays data to our web-based data presentation package, ARGUS.

Using this system, the client can receive the data in real time and be warned via SMS / Email if any instrument exceeds the set alarm thresholds.

​The Swan River Pedestrian Bridge forms part of the new Perth Stadium’s integrated transport strategy designed to move patrons safely and efficiently to and from the Stadium and Sports Precinct.

More than 14,000 people are expected to use the Bridge on event days to move between East Perth's Nelson Avenue and the Burswood Peninsula, adjacent to the Stadium. 

Spanning 370 meters across the Swan River the Bridge will be available for community use at all times, showcasing the beauty of the river, adjacent parklands and the Stadium Precinct.

Bridge construction works are underway with the construction of two temporary causeways in the Swan River commencing in January 2016. Bridge foundations are expected to be completed by mid-2016 with the Bridge opening in early 2017.

The following indicative monitoring installations have been installed by Geomotion to assess the settlement/movement of the causeways during the construction period:

• Downhole inclinometers are installed at two locations on each causeway to monitor lateral movement. Inclinometers are located adjacent to Piers 2 and 3 and positioned between the edge of the causeways and the pier.
• Multi-level vibrating wire piezometers (VWPs) at one location on each causeway located at the mid-height and base of the Swan River Alluvium (SRA) to monitor pore pressures. VWPs will be located between the pile caps on Piers 2 and 3 respectively. Each vibrating wire piezometer is connected to a standalone data logger allowing for automatic data retrieval.
• Settlement plates located at not less than eight locations across each of the causeways to monitor vertical settlement (i.e. 16 locations total). Two settlement plates are located at the end of each causeway with the remaining six settlement plates positioned at approximately 25m to 30m spacing (along and across the axis of the causeway).

The monitoring of settlements during construction will collect sufficient information to assess the relationship between settlement, time, SRA thickness and fill thickness and ensure adequate measures are put in place to maintain the design elevation.

Geomotion Australia has recently completed the installation of 70 In-place Inclinometers, 30 Piezometers, ten Vibrating Wire Crackmeters and two Vibration Monitors as part of the Perth City Link Project.

The equipment is used to monitor the construction of the new underground bus station and monitors diaphragm wall deflection during excavation, the piezometric head of ground water during dewatering, movement across surface cracks on existing tunnels and heritage structures and tunnel vibration.

All instrumentation is linked to the Loadsensing wireless mesh network which relays data to our web-based data presentation package, ARGUS. Through this system, the client has the capacity to receive the data in real time and be warned via SMS / Email should the instrumentation exceed the set alarm thresholds.