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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. This product is not used like a surface joint gauge. It is built for boreholes where movement must be separated by depth. The instrument group includes displacement gauges, PVC measuring rod protective tubes, anchor heads, and multipoint installation kits that support three to five points. During installation, the borehole is prepared, anchor heads are set at selected layers, and grouting fixes each anchor to its target rock or soil zone. Listed models include 50 mm, 100 mm, and 200 mm ranges, all with 0.01 mm resolution. The sensing circuit changes output frequency as the measuring rod moves through the coil, so each channel can report how one anchored layer moves relative to the reference head. This layout is useful when tunnel crown movement, slope slip, or foundation pit deformation may start at one depth before it appears elsewhere. Field records should emphasize borehole number, anchor depth, grout condition, channel order, and the direction of expected movement. During later review, engineers can compare shallow and deep anchors to judge whether the deformation is local relaxation, progressive sliding, or full-section movement. That layered view is the main reason to use a multipoint instrument instead of several unrelated surface gauges.
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 give field teams a direct way to watch components that are hard to judge by sight. A formwork pipe may shift during pouring, a rock layer may slide behind the excavation face, a geogrid may deform inside reinforced soil, and a dam joint may open after water level change. Kingmach's product range includes non-contact designs where the measuring rod and coil work independently, reducing mechanical wear and installation damage. The JMDL-24XXAT flexible displacement meter uses a bendable measuring rod for geogrid monitoring, with 30 mm and 50 mm ranges, 0.01 mm sensitivity, and 0.5%FS accuracy. The JMDL-49XXAT formwork meter offers 50 mm, 100 mm, and 200 mm ranges, IP68 protection, and temperature measurement accuracy of plus or minus 0.5 degrees Celsius. These details are useful when displacement monitoring must continue through wet, crowded, and fast-moving construction stages. 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 fit crack monitoring?
A: The JMDL-22XXAT Smart Crack Gauge is designed for cracks, joints, and expansion joints in bridges, buildings, roads, railways, dams, tunnels, and slopes.
Q: What ranges does the crack gauge list?
A: Listed models include 20 mm, 50 mm, 100 mm, and 200 mm ranges, with 0.01 mm resolution on the 20 mm to 100 mm versions and 0.05 mm on the 200 mm version.
Q: How many records can the crack gauge store?
A: Product information states that it can save up to 600 measurement results, including time, temperature for temperature versions, displacement values, and zero-point value.
Q: What installation details matter most?
A: Base stability, rod alignment, connector sealing, cable protection, and a clear zero reading matter more than a polished-looking installation.
Q: Can it be used for long-term observation?
A: Yes. The product is described for long-term monitoring, especially where crack width changes need stable and repeatable measurement.
Reviews
Michael Anderson
The strain gauges and load cells are extremely accurate and stable. They performed very well in our bridge monitoring project. Highly recommended!
Joshua Clark
We ordered a full monitoring solution including sensors and data loggers. Everything works seamlessly together. Great supplier!
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