Activities like piling, compaction, excavation, blasting and heavy machinery use can cause significant vibration and disturbance that can put neighbouring structures at risk

Health and safety for boots on the ground has to be a priority during construction and civil engineering works however, it’s important not to forget that work can impact people and structures around an active site or project too. Activities like piling, compaction, excavation, blasting and heavy machinery use can cause significant vibration and disturbance that can put neighbouring structures at risk.

To minimise the risk of works contributing to structural damage, especially in older, closer and more vulnerable buildings, firms must monitor the projects to ensure activities do not exceed vibration, ground movement and noise pollution thresholds set by local authorities.

Before Work Begins

Whilst works near a building can contribute to structural cracks, other factors can cause cracks to appear before a project has started. For example, after a structure is erected, the weight of that structure compresses the soil beneath it over time, leading to structural damage and cracks in the foundations.

Factors like this mean it’s vital that contractors carry out a pre-construction documentation survey to assess the condition of the buildings and structures around the area before major construction and civil engineering work begins. During this process, cracks or structural damage identified should be documented so they can be monitored during the project.

This is especially important if work is taking place in urban areas where multiple buildings could already be subject to structural cracks and damage before work has even started.

During Works

Once cracks are identified and documented they need to be monitored throughout works to ensure that they do not expand and become worse because of construction and civil engineering activities.

If existing cracks are discovered, monitoring them during a project can help confirm whether works directly impacted changes in the crack width. This is called crack gauge monitoring. Observing and measuring the identified cracks during the construction process is known as crack monitoring.

After Works

Once particularly risky phases (e.g. demolition) are completed, a post-construction condition inspection of current building conditions can be compared with the pre-construction survey findings to identify any changes. This helps resolve any disputes and ensures accountability.

The Role of Monitoring and Best Practice

Monitoring is a proactive process that identifies risks early, allowing them to be managed before they escalate. It aids best practice by reducing the likelihood of damage to neighbouring properties and can minimise insurance claims related to construction activities by identifying risks early, resolving them before they escalate and protecting against false damage claims.

Advance technology has transformed monitoring during construction and civil engineering works into a highly efficient, data-driven process. New tools like real-time sensors enable accurate data collection which can inform decision-making and improve project outcomes. Innovative monitoring allows teams to identify subtle changes, track project progress, and adjust accordingly to reduce risks on site and potential delays it may cause.

Construction activities at high-risk of causing structural damage

Excavation and subsurface work such as:

• Deep excavations below the foundation of an adjacent building
• Improper or failed shoring can cause soil failure and settlement
• Dewatering involving lowering the water table can cause collapse or settlement of surrounding foundations

High-energy vibration activities such as:

• Pile driving for deep foundations
• Compaction or rolling, especially close to neighbouring properties
• Blasting used for rock breaking
• Jackhammering and concrete breaking for continuous, long periods of time

Demolition and structural removal such as:

• Heavy demolition like breaking building frames or using wrecking balls
• Removing load-bearing elements like walls, beams, chimneys etc

Things to consider if any of the activities above (or similar) are taking place:

• Foundation depth and whether the new construction extends deeper
• Proximity of works taking place to neighbouring buildings
• Soil type and whether they are prone to movement, shrinking and expansion

Different Types of Monitoring

Structural Crack Monitoring

Structural cracks are tracked using manual gauges or automated sensors to help identify links between ongoing works and crack trends, allowing for timely corrective actions.

Speak with a consultant about structural crack monitoring with RVT Group >

Vibration Monitoring

Using sensors, vibration levels are continuously monitored and real-time alerts are triggered if thresholds are exceeded. This enables timely intervention to prevent structural damage.

View our Vibration Monitors Available >

Noise Monitoring

Pre-construction baseline noise levels are established, and continuous monitoring reduce the chance of noise pollution, maintaining community trust and keeping the project compliant with regulations.

View our Noise Monitors Available >

See our whitepaper on complying with BS 5228-1:2009 >

Air Quality Monitoring

A nephelometer-based instrument that delivers accurate measurement of PM10, PM2.5, PM1, or TSP and alerts if air quality drops below outside pre-set parameters. Helps identify causes and put corrective action into place before disrupting nearby communities.

View our Personal and Environmental Air Quality Monitors >

Download our ‘Do You Have Dust Under Control?’ checklist >

Water Quality Monitoring

Works involve soil disruption or is taking place near a local water source, water monitors can measure turbidity, suspended solids, pH and temperature, alerting to real-time inconsistencies.

View our Water Quality Monitor >

RVT Group are in the early stages of trialling structural crack monitors when works may impact buildings nearby but have years of experience for environmental monitoring across a wide range of project. To learn more about the importance of environmental monitoring, watch our dedicated toolbox talk on the subject >

If you think your project could benefit from any of the monitoring methods mentioned in this article, speak with a technical consultant who can help find the right solution for you >