One of the world's largest manufacturers of fibre optic sensors for civil engineering applications and a world leader in geosynthetics are collaborating in the development of a unique geotextiles monitoring solution, TenCate GeoDetect, which will provide unprecedented detail about the properties of embankments, slopes, walls, levees, roads, rails and other earth structures.

The developers say customers will benefit from the real-time monitoring of every square meter of land for ground movement, soil erosion, settlement and other changes.

Roctest Ltd, through its subsidiary Smartec SA and TenCate Geosynthetics have begun work on the technical and commercial development of geotextiles instrumented with optical fibre sensors and the related monitoring services. TenCate says the relationship will capitalize on the strengths of both companies and TenCate Geosynthetics has a global reputation for innovative products and solutions for complex civil engineering and geotechnical problems while Roctest / Smartec provides expertise and innovation in data acquisition devices, instrumentation equipment and software.

 TenCate started several years ago with the development of geosynthetics with monitoring capabilities. Since then several pilot projects have been initiated, amongst others with the French Railways (SNCF) and Dutch Government funded water management projects.

The combination of TenCate GeoDetect, the first sensor-enabled geotextile to provide soil reinforcement, structural health monitoring and an early warning system in one package, with Roctest / Smartec's wide range of sensors (fibre optic, vibrating wire and conventional), data acquisition systems and software for data management and analysis, provides an unparalleled package of data analysis tools for structural engineering and geotechnical applications, the company says.

 The technologies can be incorporated into a single user interface developed by Roctest / Smartec called SHMLive. The SHMLive platform is designed for continuous monitoring through real-time data transfer via a secure online database and can be used to store and share all documents related to a monitoring project, including reports, plans and other useful information.

SHMLive is offered for a fixed monthly fee that includes all the sensors, data acquisition units, aggregation device, upload transmission link, secure database storage, real-time analysis, web-based data access and reporting, with performance levels guaranteed for the contract duration.

"For Roctest, the TenCate Geosynthetics relationship increases our ability to provide customers with the most integrated and innovative products for Structural Health Monitoring, and reinforces our strategy of offering the most complete toolbox of solutions to our customers", said Francois Cordeau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Roctest Ltd.

"The future of TenCate Geosynthetics is less about products and more about providing solutions for geotechnical challenges through a systems approach. Coupling our application expertise with Roctest's sensoring technology gives an innovative and differentiated approach to detecting potential failures and / or problems for civil engineers", said Dave Clarke, Group Director for TenCate Geosynthetics.