ISO 18674-3-2017 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 18674-3:2017 — Geotechnical investigation and testing — Geotechnical monitoring by field instrumentation — Part 3: Measurement of displacements across a line: Inclinometers. This part specifies procedures and requirements for measuring lateral and vertical components of displacement across a line using inclinometer systems for geotechnical monitoring and related applications.

Abstract

Specifies the measurement of displacements across a line by means of inclinometers for the performance monitoring of ground, structures interacting with the ground, geotechnical fills and geotechnical works. Includes guidance on use with deflectometers (Annex B) and notes how, when combined with ISO 18674‑2, displacements in any direction can be determined. The document is intended for monitoring before, during and after construction and for deriving geotechnical key parameters.

General information

• Status: Published — confirmed (reviewed and confirmed as current).
• Publication date: October 2017 (Edition 1, published 2017-10).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 93.020; 13.080.20.
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2017).
• Number of pages: 38 (main document).

Core bibliographic and lifecycle information as recorded by ISO (document confirmed in periodic review).

Scope

Applies to the measurement of displacements across a line using inclinometers for geotechnical monitoring. Typical applications include checking geotechnical designs under the Observational Design procedure, monitoring natural slopes and engineered features (embankments, excavation walls, foundations, tunnels, dams, refuse dumps), deriving key geotechnical parameters, and identifying/monitoring active shear planes. The standard covers measurement principles, instrumentation considerations, data acquisition and interpretation relevant to inclinometer surveys; it also refers to supplementary methods such as deflectometers.

Key topics and requirements

• Definitions and general rules for inclinometer monitoring and measurement procedures.
• Instrument deployment, calibration, and installation considerations for inclinometer casings and probes.
• Measurement techniques for determining lateral and (where applicable) vertical displacement components across a line.
• Data acquisition, processing and presentation requirements, including baseline surveys and repeat readings for time‑series monitoring.
• Guidance on combining inclinometers with extensometers or other sensors to determine full 3‑D displacement where required.
• References and normative requirements; Annex B discusses use of deflectometers to supplement inclinometer measurements.

Typical use and users

Used by geotechnical engineers, contract monitoring teams, instrumentation specialists, surveyors and consultants involved in construction monitoring, slope stability assessment, tunnel and excavation monitoring, foundation and pile performance evaluation, and research projects that require quantitative displacement measurements across a line. It is applied on projects where reliable, repeatable inclinometer data are needed for design verification, risk management and observational methods.

Related standards

Part of the ISO 18674 series on geotechnical monitoring by field instrumentation. Key related parts include ISO 18674‑1 (General rules), ISO 18674‑2 (Extensometers — measurement of displacements along a line) and ISO 18674‑4 (Piezometers — measurement of pore water pressure). ISO 18674‑3 has an Amendment 1 published in 2020.

Keywords

inclinometer, geotechnical monitoring, displacement measurement, inclinometer casing, deflectometer, extensometer (complementary), observational method, ground movement, instrumentation.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 18674-3:2017 is an international standard that specifies methods and requirements for measuring displacements across a line using inclinometers as part of geotechnical field monitoring.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers instrumentation, installation, measurement procedures, data collection and basic interpretation for inclinometer monitoring, plus guidance on supplementary devices (for example deflectometers) and how it can be used together with other parts of the ISO 18674 series.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Geotechnical engineers, site instrumentation teams, surveyors, monitoring contractors and consultants involved in construction, slope and earthworks monitoring, tunnelling, foundation and pile testing, and research projects.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2017 edition is the published edition and was reviewed/confirmed in ISO’s periodic review; it also has Amendment 1 published in 2020. Users should verify any national adoptions or national forewords for local application.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 18674 is a multi‑part series: Part 1 (general rules), Part 2 (extensometers), Part 3 (inclinometers) and Part 4 (piezometers), among others; these parts are intended to be used together as appropriate.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Inclinometer, displacement monitoring, geotechnical monitoring, instrumentation, deflectometer, extensometer, piezometer, observational design.