Sheet Pile Monitoring at De Rotte – Van Oord Case Study
Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Project duration: 2022 – 2024
The executive agency of the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, Rijkswaterstaat, is developing the A16 Rotterdam, a new connection between the A16 at Terbregseplein and the A13 near Rotterdam The Hague Airport. This 11 km national highway will enhance accessibility and improve quality of life in the northeastern part of Rotterdam, in Lansingerland, and the surrounding region.
During the construction of the A16 Rotterdam, the alliance Groene Boog needed to monitor a sheet pile wall along the river De Rotte. Basetime’s Locator One was chosen to carry out this monitoring task.
Locator one units
measurements per day
Minutes logging time
In control of your settlements and deformations.
To automatically monitor the sheet piling, steel plates were installed at several locations, and the Locator Ones were mounted on them. The primary measurements focused on the horizontal plane, as the sheet piles are already deeply anchored in the subsurface and minimal subsidence was expected. With a horizontal measurement precision of 2 – 3 mm, the Locator One is ideally suited for monitoring these deformations.
Continuous precise monitoring: tracking for early detection of deformations.
Flexible setup: no line-of-sight needed for measurements.
Improved safety: continuous monitoring reduces risks for workers and liability for clients.
Once installed at the top of the sheet piling, the system can perform measurements according to a predefined schedule, up to 24 times per day (one measurement every hour). Signal and limit values (thresholds) can be set directly in the system, providing active support for monitoring the sheet piling or cofferdam. These alerts can also be sent directly to your mobile device.
Unlike traditional total station measurements, which require a direct line of sight between the instrument and a reflective target, our system does not rely on visual contact. This greatly expands the possibilities for monitoring in complex environments.
Millimeter Accuracy
The automated sensor measures the exact position of the sheet piling with an accuracy of up to 5 mm in the Z direction and 3 mm in the X-Y plane. The Locator One ensures high precision and reliability, with at least 95% of planned measurements producing trustworthy data.
Measurements can also be adjusted remotely via an “Over The Air Update,” allowing changes to the number of daily measurements. This flexibility makes it possible to align the measurement frequency with the project schedule and temporarily increase it during high-risk activities.
“Basetime understands our services, and the Locator One provides automated insights into sheet pile monitoring. They also collaborate with us on solutions, both for integrating data with our own systems and for out-of-the-box applications.”
Remote Monitoring
Measurement data is automatically sent to the Basetime cloud, where it’s processed into reliable coordinates and insights for engineers. The data can be accessed via an API or visualized on the Basetime dashboard, allowing engineers to analyze it directly from their desks.
By collecting precise data at predefined intervals, engineers can make more accurate predictions of expected movements and forces on the sheet piling, contributing to safer construction.
Safe and Sustainable
In addition to accuracy and control, safety is a key benefit of this innovative measurement method. Traditionally, surveyors perform these measurements on-site, but the Locator One can now take over this task, reducing the number of people present and enhancing construction site safety.
A further advantage is sustainability. Fewer site visits mean reduced vehicle traffic and lower CO₂ emissions. The Locator One is also equipped with a solar cell and super-capacitor, eliminating the need for disposable batteries and further reducing its environmental impact over the project’s lifetime.
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