KNOWLEDGE ARTICLE

LR 18/08/2016 V1.0

Deep Piezometer Installation - considerations

This article outlines the challenges that may be faced during the installation of deep piezometers
which are defined as having a depth greater than 50m. It is only a practical guide based on
experience and is not intended to replace any Engineers’ design.

Deep piezometer installations create a range of challenges, with the deeper the installation
the larger the impact. These challenges include the positioning of the response zone,
placing of the piezometer, protection of the sensor and cable and backfilling of the
borehole all of which will have significant impacts on a successful installation.

No one piezometer installation is the same and careful planning of each project should be carried
to ensure a successful installation.

There are major challenges to be considered when installing deep piezometers and the deeper the installation the
more difficult these challenges become and therefore, careful consideration on how to overcome these challenges
should be undertaken.
The main considerations are:

• Borehole construction

• The piezometer response zone

• The piezometer seal

• The sensor

NOTE: There are major challenges to be considered when installing deep piezometers.
KNOWLEDGE ARTICLE
LR 18/08/2016 V1.0

BOREHOLE CONSTRUCTION

Item Considerations Possible solutions

Cased or un-cased borehole
The use of casing will be
dependent on the type of
formation and/or the drilling
contractors preferred method of
drilling and therefore, should be
carefully considered during the
planning stage.
Drilling a fully cased borehole will be Use of techniques such as drilling
more difficult to ensure: fluids to remove the need for casing.
• Correct location of the response zone
& seal during casing extraction;
• The support and integrity of the
piezometer and cable during casing
extraction.

Borehole diameter
It is likely that a decision to drill the
smallest possible borehole will be
made based on financial reasons.
See picture on page 6.
Having a small annulus within the Ensure the borehole is the correct
borehole will create problems with the size for the planned installation.
placing and location of the response
Use of the fully grouted method
zone and seals, especially if several
especially for multi-level installations.
sensors are required within the same
borehole. This becomes more acute the Limit the number of piezometers in
deeper the borehole. each borehole.
Practical information from installers
has suggested the following:-
Size No of sensors
NQ (75mm) 3-4
HQ (95mm) 4-5

Borehole formation
Previous knowledge of the kind of
ground that is likely to be
encountered is recommended to
have all the drilling tools and
accessories onsite.
Rough or jagged formations could cause Ensure good protection of the cable.
damage to the cable during installation,
NOTE - protection of standard cable
placing of the filter and seal and
within a protective pipe requires the
grouting.
sensor to be supported from the
bottom by a wire rope (see section
4).
Use of heavy duty cable.

Drilling fluids
Experienced drillers will know
which type of drilling fluid is to be
used.
Drilling fluids will increase the density of
the fluid into which the sensors will be
lowered. No drilling fluids should
remain in the borehole after piezometer
installation.
Add a weight to the sensor to
overcome buoyancy effects.
Use additional support pipe to push
down sensor.
Always flush out the drilling fluid.

NOTE: Great care must be taken when retrieving temporary borehole casing with the
sensors in place, so to avoid damage / movement of the sensors and the cables.
KNOWLEDGE ARTICLE
LR 18/08/2016 V1.0

PIEZOMETER RESPONSE ZONE & SEAL

Item Considerations Possible solutions

Filter pack The deeper the installation the more Use of pre-assembled sand filter pack
difficult it is to guarantee the location and bentonite pellets within a
Washed sand (1-2mm) is
and successful placing of the sand filter geotextile sock.
typically used to create the
pack and seal.
defined response zone. Wash in sand using a Tremie pipe
If placed too fast or poured in from the (sacrificial or removable). Stage
Seal
top, bridging can easily occur resulting in grouting may be needed to eliminate
The most commonly used the sand not going to the depth required. uplift.
method to create a seal is by Swelling of bentonite pellets before
Use a packer to create a seal.
using Bentonite pellets for the reaching required depth may take place.
seal/plug and cement/Bentonite Use the fully grouted method where
In addition the sand filter pack and seals
grout for the remainder of the the grout becomes the filter pack and
can be pulled up when the temporary
borehole. seal.
casing is withdrawn.

Traditional Method Fully Grouted Method

Sand pocket to create response No sand pocket required as
zone around piezometer tip, with a grout is pumped in from the
conventional bentonite seal to bottom of the borehole
separate sand and grout upwards

Typical grout mixing equipment

Placing bentonite pellets.

NOTE: Ensure correct design of grout mixture; when preparing the mix on site, mix water
and cement first before adding bentonite.
KNOWLEDGE ARTICLE
LR 18/08/2016 V1.0
SENSOR
Item
Pressure range
Sensors should be chosen based
on the range of pressure that the
sensor is expected to be subjected
to, with sufficient range to avoid
over pressure especially during
grouting.
Sensor construction
Special care has to be taken with
operations whilst lowering and
keeping the piezometers in place
during installation.
Cable & support
Lowering cable down a borehole is
always a potential area for damage.
NOTE: The support system must be robust enough to hold it’s own weight plus the cable
and sensor.
Considerations
The greater the sensor range the greater
the potential systematic erroring the
readings and therefore for the most
accurate readings sensors should be
chosen to have the lowest appropriate
range that can still withstand the
pressure during grouting.
The deeper the installation the more
weight will be needed to overcome
buoyancy effects if there is fluid in the
borehole.
With increased depth and pressure the
piezometer can start to deform which
will cause erroneous readings.
Potential sensor damage increases with
depth.
Suspending the piezometer by its cable
will potentially cause damage due to
elongation and possible breaking of the
internal conductors. This will increase
directly with depth.
Possible solutions
When the pressure is known select
the range so that it doesn’t exceed
75% of the maximum pressure.
When the expected pressure is
unknown it can be approximated
based on the installation depth.
Monitor pressure during installation
and grouting.
Add weight to the piezometer or use
a support pipe, GRP rod to push it
down.
The use of a heavy duty piezometer
eliminates the possibility of
deformation and is more robust
against damage.
Use heavy duty cable which has a
high tensile strength (14N/mm2) and
an elongation value of 260%.
For standard cable use suitable
protection & support from the base
using a steel wire, GRP rod, drillers
wireline or sacrificial pipe which can
also be used as a tremie pipe and
ensures correct location of the
piezometer.
KNOWLEDGE ARTICLE
LR 18/08/2016 V1.0

CABLE & ASSEMBLY

Standard cable Heavy duty cable

Ready to install several piezometers at the same site.

Multi-core cable used for multipoint piezometer installations.

Multipoint piezometer being tied to the sensor

cable, and therefore fixed into the upwards
Fully grouted method, filter up. position when lowered into borehole.

NOTE: It is important to install piezometers facing up when installed in soil which may
become unsaturated, as well as marginal soils which will have fluctuating saturation levels.
KNOWLEDGE ARTICLE
LR 18/08/2016 V1.0

ASSEMBLY DIMENSIONS

Standard Heavy duty Steel wire

armoured

40 mm 50 mm 50 mm

The total external diameter of the piezometer plus the cable will determine the minimum
borehole diameter. 30 mm should be added to the dimensions above.

NOTE: It is crucial to evaluate the borehole diameter before starting to drill a borehole to
install a piezometer.
KNOWLEDGE ARTICLE
LR 18/08/2016 V1.0

SUMMARY

BOREHOLE Diameter Ensure borehole size is adequate for chosen installation.

Restrict number of sensors in one borehole.

Use multipoint piezometer system to reduce excess cable.

Formation profile Adopt the Fully Grouted Method.

Ensure protection of cable during installation.

Casing Drilling Fluids can remove the need for casing.

Always flush out drilling fluid left in the borehole.

SEAL/GROUT Buoyancy Add ballast weight to piezometer if pre-grouted.

Use pre assembled sand filter around piezometer using a geotex-

Response Zone
tile sock.

Use wash in sand filter using a tremie.

Seal Assemble bentonite pellets in a geotextile sock.

Use packers as a seal.

Method Adopt the Fully Grouted Method.

CABLE Type Use heavy duty cable.

Elongation Support cable with rope rod or wireline.

SENSOR Pressure Do not exceed 75% of maximum pressure when selecting range.

Attach piezometer to a sacrificial pipe - not advised for installations

Attachment
within soft ground where settlement is likely.

Overpressure Monitor pressure during grouting and installation.

Install piezometer facing up when unsaturated soils or changing

Orientation
vadose zones are expected.

NOTE: Positive installations need planning and good care onsite.