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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 foundation pit and deep excavation projects, crack gauges are used to watch retaining walls, soldier piles, soil nails, nearby pavements, basement walls, and adjacent structures as excavation stages remove support from the ground. The main site concern is not only how far one point moves, but whether movement grows after each excavation layer, support installation, dewatering step, or backfill stage. Kingmach JMDL-32XXAT single-point bedrock meters can measure embedded displacement at a selected reference layer, while JMDL-22XXAT crack gauges follow opening at nearby structures or retaining elements. JMDL-52XXADT differential meters provide high-resolution relative movement at joints or structural interfaces, and JMLS-22XXADT wire rope sensors can cover longer exposed paths where access is available. A useful pit monitoring plan records excavation depth, support timing, groundwater level, construction vibration, and surrounding building observations beside each displacement curve. This helps engineers distinguish bracket disturbance from real ground movement, and it supports faster decisions when a wall, road edge, or adjacent building begins to respond to excavation. During review, the same point should be compared with nearby settlement, tilt, support force, groundwater, and inspection notes so the movement is interpreted as part of the excavation behavior rather than as a single isolated value. during maintenance.
The future of crack gauges
Longer service life will be a major future requirement for crack gauges. Infrastructure owners want monitoring systems that remain useful beyond the construction phase and into operation, inspection, repair, and renewal. Kingmach lists 30-year designed service life on selected products such as the JMDL-24XXAT flexible displacement meter and JMDL-49XXAT formwork displacement meter, while models such as JMCW-21XXADT use non-contact sensing to avoid mechanical wear. Future specifications will likely ask more directly about waterproof rating, connector durability, cable route protection, sensor replacement access, and data continuity after maintenance. For dams, bridges, railways, slopes, and tunnels, a displacement record over several years is often more useful than a short burst of high-frequency data. This long view supports asset management and helps distinguish slow structural change from normal seasonal movement. The next improvement will be planned service records: expected inspection intervals, spare part notes, replacement dates, and clear links between old and new baselines after a sensor is changed.
Care & Maintenance of crack gauges
For embedded crack gauges such as multipoint and bedrock displacement meters, maintenance depends heavily on installation records because the sensing parts may not be visible after grouting or backfilling. For JMDL-31XXAT multipoint meters, keep drilling depth, anchor head depth, grouting date, point number, cable route, and baseline readings in one record. The system may monitor three to five points, so channel naming must be exact. For JMDL-32XXAT single-point bedrock meters, record flange position, tie rod condition, anchor point, PVC pipe route, and expected movement direction. During service, compare adjacent depths rather than reading each channel alone. A shallow layer moving while deeper layers remain steady has a different meaning from full-depth displacement. Do not pull or shorten cables during cabinet work, and protect exposed sections from water, rodents, sharp edges, and construction traffic. 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: What are crack gauges used for?
A: They measure movement such as relative displacement, crack width, expansion joint travel, bedrock deformation, rock layer movement, geogrid deformation, formwork settlement, and equipment stroke.
Q: Which Kingmach models belong to this category?
A: Common models include JMDL-21XXAT, JMDL-22XXAT, JMDL-24XXAT, JMDL-31XXAT, JMDL-32XXAT, JMDL-49XXAT, JMDL-52XXADT, JMCW-21XXADT, and JMLS-22XXADT.
Q: What range should be selected first?
A: Start from the expected movement. Short joint monitoring may need 20 mm to 100 mm, while draw-wire or equipment travel may require 500 mm to 2000 mm.
Q: Can these products support remote monitoring?
A: Yes. Several Kingmach models support digital transmission, RS485 communication, automatic acquisition, integrated testers, or unattended monitoring systems.
Q: Why is the baseline reading important?
A: All later movement is compared against the starting point. The baseline should be recorded after the sensor, bracket, anchor, cable, and structure are stable.
Reviews
Ryan Lewis
Fast delivery and excellent product quality. The accelerometers and tiltmeters are highly reliable. Strongly recommend this company.
David Wilson
We purchased displacement transducers and settlement sensors, and the quality exceeded our expectations. Easy installation and reliable performance.
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