Overview
EN ISO 18674-1:2015 - Geotechnical investigation and testing - Geotechnical monitoring by field instrumentation - Part 1: General rules - defines the general rules and framework for geotechnical monitoring using field instrumentation. Adopted by CEN, this standard sets out the scope, terminology, project requirements and high‑level procedures for performance monitoring of the ground, structures interacting with the ground, geotechnical fills and geotechnical works before, during and after construction.
The standard applies to monitoring in connection with:
- site investigations,
- Observational Design procedures,
- evaluation of ground behaviour (e.g. unstable slopes, consolidation),
- proof or follow‑up of new equilibrium after disturbance (foundation loading, excavation, tunnelling), and
- verification of stability, serviceability and safety, including perpetuation of evidence and control of works.
Key Topics and Requirements
- Terms and symbols: unified vocabulary for geotechnical monitoring (aligned with ISO/IEC Guide 99).
- Principal requirements: objectives of monitoring linked to design and safety decisions, inclusion in Observational Design.
- Monitoring system design: robustness, redundancy, stability of sensor signals, and consideration of influencing factors.
- Installation & measurement practice: location of measuring points (surface, interfaces, inside media), borehole measurements and field measurement methods.
- Quality assurance: function checks, calibration, geodetic measurements and safety requirements.
- Data management: processing, verification and reporting (installation reports and monitoring reports).
- Annexes: minimum content for instrument data sheets, examples of instruments and commonly used monitoring methods, and guidance on key geotechnical parameters.
Applications and Users
Who uses EN ISO 18674-1:
- Geotechnical engineers and consultants
- Site investigation teams and instrumentation specialists
- Contractors and construction monitoring teams
- Asset owners, project managers and safety officers
- Regulatory authorities and forensic investigators (perpetuation of evidence)
Practical applications:
- Designing and specifying field instrumentation and monitoring programmes
- Integrating monitoring into Observational Design and risk mitigation plans
- Tracking settlement, pore pressures, displacements, inclinations and other key parameters during excavation, tunnelling, foundation loading or slope stabilisation
- Providing accepted reporting formats and data-quality checks for construction acceptance and long‑term performance evaluation
Related Standards
EN ISO 18674-1 references and complements:
- ISO 14688-1 (soil identification/description)
- ISO 14689-1 (rock identification/description)
- ISO 22475-1 (sampling and groundwater measurement principles)
- ISO/IEC Guide 99 (metrology vocabulary)
- IEC 60529 (IP code for enclosures)
EN ISO 18674 is a series - Part 2 (extensometers) is published or in preparation and further parts cover inclinometers, piezometers, pressure cells, load cells and other sensor types.
Keywords: geotechnical monitoring, field instrumentation, ISO 18674-1, monitoring system design, observational design, geotechnical parameters.
