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Home » Products » Fibre-optic geotechnical monitoring

INTERLAB × LUNA · cooperation since 2010

Turn the application into a measurable specification

Use the relevant guide to qualify the sensing principle and its limits. INTERLAB can then shortlist the interrogator, sensing cable or sensors and channel configuration for the stated measurement requirement.

DFOSChoose the measurement principle before the interrogatorCompare DAS, DTS, DTSS, OFDR and point FBG by measured quantity, route length, spatial granularity and update rate.Open the buying guide →DTSSSelect long-range distributed strain sensingUnderstand strain–temperature cross-sensitivity, sensing-cable coupling and the range-versus-resolution trade-off.Open the buying guide →OFDRPlan dense short-range strain and temperature measurementsMatch ODiSI or OBR operating modes to test length, gage pitch, acquisition rate and active channel count.Open the buying guide →DASQualify vibration and acoustic-event detectionSee what DAS actually measures, which installation inputs govern performance and when a site trial is needed before hardware selection.Open the buying guide →

For equipment selection, send the measured quantity, route or test length, required spatial granularity, update rate, channel count, available fiber and target data interface.

Discuss the hardware configuration

* Manufacturer maxima refer to specific products, operating modes and channel counts; they are not necessarily available simultaneously. Final coverage, spatial granularity, rate and uncertainty are confirmed for the selected configuration and application conditions.

Geotechnics · DSS · DTS · DAS · OFDR · FBG

Start with the measurement question, then select the fibre-optic technology

There is no single “DFOS geotechnical sensor”. Vibration, temperature, slow deformation, a dense local profile and critical points require different equipment.

landslides and slopeslevees and damsembankments and tunnelsstrain, temperature and vibration

DAS mainly measures dynamic phenomena, DTS temperature, DSS/DTSS long-range static strain, OFDR a very dense profile over a shorter section, and FBG selected points. These technology names are not interchangeable.

A fibre-optic sensor measures a physical quantity transferred to the fibre. Displacement, settlement or stress may require a model, sensor geometry, temperature compensation and boundary conditions. A robust monitoring architecture can combine DFOS with surveying, inclinometers or piezometers.

What is the geotechnical question?

Select the technology by the phenomenon, length scale and required spatial resolution.

Where is slow deformation developing?

DSS/DTSS creates a static-strain profile that can be compared with the baseline and subsequent campaigns.

Where is seepage occurring?

DTS observes thermal anomalies; active DTS can analyse the ground’s thermal response.

Where is vibration occurring?

DAS records seismic activity, traffic, machinery and other dynamic events.

What is happening in a short critical section?

ODiSI/OFDR provides a dense strain profile over a selected section, while FBG measures critical points.

Technology selection matrix for geotechnical monitoring

Length, resolution and measured quantity matter more than one maximum-range figure.

Phenomenon / objective	Technology	What it provides	INTERLAB portfolio
vibration, seismicity, machinery	DAS	dynamic strain and a time–distance signal	iDAS-MG, QuantX
seepage and thermal anomalies	DTS / active DTS	temperature profile and thermal response	ULTIMA, XT-DTS
settlement and slow slope movement	DSS / DTSS	long-range static-strain profile	Silixa iDSS, fibrisTerre
critical section of 20–100 m	OFDR / HD-FOS	dense strain or temperature profile	ODiSI 7100
critical point	FBG	tilt, displacement, strain, temperature or vibration	HYPERION and OS sensors

Important: DAS is not the default method for slow settlement. ODiSI does not measure settlement directly, and FBG is a point or multipoint sensing system rather than continuous DFOS.

The INTERLAB portfolio from kilometres to millimetres

Each platform has a different role in the measurement architecture.

DSS

Silixa iDSS

Long-range static-strain profiling for slopes, settlement and infrastructure.

View equipment →

Brillouin

fibrisTerre

Distributed strain and temperature measurement for geotechnics and natural geohazards.

View equipment →

OFDR

ODiSI 7100

High-resolution measurement over a selected section where metre-scale resolution is insufficient.

View equipment →

DAS

Silixa iDAS-MG

Dynamic phenomena, microseismic monitoring and flexible DAS measurement configurations.

View equipment →

DTS

Silixa ULTIMA

Temperature profiling for seepage, leakage and thermal testing after suitable sensing-cable design.

View equipment →

FBG

HYPERION si155

A platform for point-sensor networks measuring strain, temperature, tilt, displacement, pressure and vibration.

View equipment →

The measurement chain starts with the cable

Mechanical coupling and compensation are part of the result.

Define the phenomenon

Strain, displacement, temperature and vibration are not the same parameter.

Select the cable construction

A strain-coupled cable transfers deformation, while loose-tube construction can support temperature measurement or compensation.

Establish the reference

A baseline, temperature and boundary conditions allow the trend to be interpreted.

Combine methods

Surveying, inclinometers and piezometers provide an absolute reference and validation.

What must be defined before selecting the equipment?

Before selecting equipment, define:

expected deformation mechanism
asset length and geometry
required spatial resolution
dynamics and reading frequency
installation stage and sensing-cable method
temperature influence and compensation method
access to one or both fibre ends
reference methods and thresholds defined by the geotechnical engineer

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between DAS, DTS, DSS, OFDR and FBG?

DAS mainly measures vibration, DTS temperature, DSS a long-range profile of static strain, OFDR a very dense profile over a short section, and FBG selected points.

Which technology is suitable for a landslide?

DSS/DTSS is a natural candidate for slow deformation. DAS can add dynamic events, while FBG can monitor critical points.

Does ODiSI measure settlement directly?

No. It measures fibre strain or temperature. A displacement profile requires a sensor geometry, reconstruction model and boundary conditions.

Can DTS detect seepage through an embankment?

It can indicate thermal anomalies associated with water flow. Active DTS can be used where the natural thermal contrast is weak.

Does DFOS replace inclinometers and surveying?

No. These technologies measure different quantities. The most reliable picture comes from combining methods.

Is ordinary telecom cable sufficient?

DAS can often use existing fibre, but static-strain and temperature measurement requires an appropriate cable construction and controlled coupling.

Select equipment for the measured phenomenon and scale of the asset

Send us the asset cross-section, deformation mechanism, cable plan, length, required resolution and list of existing instruments.

Technical sources: Silixa iDSS · fibrisTerre · Luna ODiSI 7100 · sensor–ground coupling

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Turn the application into a measurable specification

Start with the measurement question, then select the fibre-optic technology

What is the geotechnical question?

Where is slow deformation developing?

Where is seepage occurring?

Where is vibration occurring?

What is happening in a short critical section?

Technology selection matrix for geotechnical monitoring

The INTERLAB portfolio from kilometres to millimetres

Silixa iDSS

fibrisTerre

ODiSI 7100

Silixa iDAS-MG

Silixa ULTIMA

HYPERION si155

The measurement chain starts with the cable

Define the phenomenon

Select the cable construction

Establish the reference

Combine methods

What must be defined before selecting the equipment?

Frequently asked questions

Select equipment for the measured phenomenon and scale of the asset

Ask about this product