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crack gauges
Kingmach crack gauges include the JMDL-31XXAT Smart Multipoint Displacement Meter for tunnels, rock slopes, foundation pits, and surrounding rock layers. The product uses displacement gauges, PVC measuring rod protective tubes, anchor heads, and multipoint installation kits that support three to five monitoring points. Installation is performed by drilling and grouting, with anchor heads fixed at different depths so each layer can be observed separately. Listed models include 50 mm, 100 mm, and 200 mm ranges, all with 0.01 mm resolution. The sensing principle uses an LC oscillation circuit: as the measuring rod moves inside the coil, magnetic reluctance and inductance change, causing the output frequency to change in a linear relationship with displacement. Because the rod and coil work without contact, the structure is less vulnerable to mechanical damage during installation. The built-in memory stores model, serial number, calibration coefficients, and up to 600 measurement records for later traceability. During project setup, the measuring point should be matched with the expected travel direction, available mounting space, cable route, and required acquisition interval. This prevents a short-range joint instrument from being used on a long-travel point, or an exposed sensor from being placed where an embedded anchor is needed. It also helps the monitoring team set a baseline that can be defended during acceptance and later maintenance review.
Application of crack gauges
In dam and hydropower projects, crack gauges can track joint opening, bedrock deformation, gate position, dam body movement, tunnel portal movement, and displacement between monitoring points. The pain point is long service life under water level fluctuation, seepage, temperature change, and difficult access. Kingmach JMDL-32XXAT single-point bedrock meters are designed for dam bedrock deformation and provide 50 mm, 100 mm, and 200 mm ranges with 0.01 mm resolution. JMDL-52XXADT differential meters can monitor relative movement in concrete joints with RS485 digital output and plus or minus 0.1%FS accuracy. JMCW-21XXADT magnetostrictive meters provide 0 to 1000 mm absolute position measurement for gates, equipment stroke, or structural movement. JMLS-22XXADT wire rope sensors support up to 2000 mm for larger displacement paths. Combined with water level, seepage, strain, and temperature monitoring, displacement data helps dam managers understand deformation behavior across operating cycles. During operation, the monitoring team should keep the baseline, temperature, inspection notes, and nearby sensor behavior in the same review file. This makes it easier to tell whether a movement trend comes from normal service, a repair event, changing load, water influence, or developing structural risk. Clear records also help owners decide when a field inspection is needed instead of waiting for visible damage.
The future of crack gauges
Wireless and low-power networks will change how crack gauges are deployed on difficult sites. Many displacement points are located on slopes, dam shoulders, tunnel portals, remote rail subgrades, or temporary construction zones where cabling is expensive and easy to damage. Kingmach displacement products already support automatic acquisition in several forms, and future field layouts can combine wired RS485 points, LoRa or 4G gateways, solar power, and compact edge devices. The engineering task will be to preserve reliable baselines while reducing field maintenance. Sensors with built-in memory and stored calibration data help because the point can retain key identity information even when a gateway is replaced. Remote power planning, connector sealing, lightning protection, and clear channel naming will become as important as the sensor range itself. For remote terrain, the biggest gain will be fewer unnecessary site visits: teams can review battery status, data gaps, and movement direction before sending technicians into a hazardous or hard-to-access location.
Care & Maintenance of crack gauges
For differential crack gauges, maintenance should preserve the geometry that makes high precision possible. Kingmach JMDL-52XXADT uses two coupled inductive coils to reduce environmental interference and thermal drift. The product lists 20 mm, 50 mm, and 100 mm ranges, 0.01 mm resolution, plus or minus 0.1%FS accuracy, RS485 output, low power consumption, and -40 degrees Celsius to +80 degrees Celsius operating temperature. During installation, align the measuring rod so it moves freely without side load or rubbing. Protect the device from impact at expansion joints and from water pooling around connectors. During service, compare readings across temperature cycles and confirm that movement returns as expected when the structure cools or unloads. A persistent offset may indicate structural change, bracket movement, or cable trouble. Keep yearly stability checks and calibration records with the monitoring database, not only in paper files. Keep the installation photo, point number, zero value, and expected movement direction with the commissioning record for later review. If a reading changes after maintenance work, inspect the base, anchor, cable, and cabinet before assuming the structure itself has moved.
Kingmach crack gauges
crack gauges are often the quiet part of a monitoring system, but they decide whether deformation is understood as a trend or discovered as damage. Kingmach displacement products can be placed at expansion joints, cracks, foundation pits, slope faces, tunnel surrounding rock, dam bedrock, railway subgrades, high-formwork supports, and equipment stroke positions. Many models support digital transmission, anti-interference performance, waterproof sealing, and connection to automatic acquisition systems. The JMDL-21XXAT general-purpose meter records relative displacement and expansion joint movement with 50 mm or 100 mm ranges and 0.01 mm resolution. The JMDL-31XXAT multipoint meter can be installed by drilling and grouting, with anchor heads at different depths. When readings are reviewed with settlement, tilt, rainfall, pore pressure, or construction logs, engineers can see whether movement is seasonal, load-related, excavation-driven, or moving toward a control limit. The point should be named on the drawing, linked with its cable route, and checked against the expected movement direction before the first automatic reading is accepted. For daily review, the reading should be compared with nearby points, recent weather, site operations, and any loading event that could explain the movement.
FAQ
Q: Which crack gauges are used for rock layers or bedrock?
A: JMDL-31XXAT multipoint meters are used for different surrounding rock layers, while JMDL-32XXAT single-point bedrock meters are used for tunnel rock mass, dam bedrock, slope, or foundation pit movement.
Q: How many points can the multipoint meter support?
A: The multipoint installation kit supports three to five monitoring points, with anchor heads fixed at different depths by drilling and grouting.
Q: What ranges are listed for these models?
A: Both JMDL-31XXAT and JMDL-32XXAT list 50 mm, 100 mm, and 200 mm models with 0.01 mm resolution.
Q: Why monitor several depths?
A: Different layers may move differently. Separating shallow and deep movement helps engineers judge whether the problem is surface creep, deeper rock slip, or overall mass movement.
Q: What records should be kept?
A: Keep drilling depth, anchor location, grouting date, channel name, zero value, cable route, and first stable reading.
Reviews
Joshua Clark
We ordered a full monitoring solution including sensors and data loggers. Everything works seamlessly together. Great supplier!
Andrew Lee
The visualization software is intuitive and powerful. It helps us analyze monitoring data efficiently.
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