Field Measurements of In-Situ Equipment Track Pressure and Working Platform Deformation Using Earth Pressure Cells and Fiber Optics-Paper

Paper

Pdf Summary

The study measured track pressures and working-platform deformation beneath a large Bauer BG46 drilling rig under three conditions: crane mats, steel plates, and native ground. The rig pulled on a pre-installed anchor in staged increments up to 90 tons. Seven earth pressure cells and distributed fiber-optic sensors recorded pressure, strain, and displacement.<br /><br />Measurements showed that track pressure did not follow the trapezoidal distribution commonly assumed in design guidance. Peak pressure and deformation were generally concentrated around the middle or front third of the tracks—not necessarily at the front—and varied with load, machine weight distribution, and subsurface conditions.<br /><br />Crane mats spread the load more effectively than steel plates or bare ground. Steel plates reduced peak pressure but provided little improvement in overall pressure distribution compared with native ground. The effects of mats and plates were not clearly evident below about 4 m, while measurements suggested that working-platform investigations should extend to at least 4 m and preferably 5 m.<br /><br />Fiber-optic sensing provided continuous strain measurements and enabled estimates of settlement and two-dimensional deformation patterns. The results broadly corroborated the pressure-cell measurements, although the authors note that pressure-cell readings can be affected by local stress concentrations and the compaction of surrounding soil. Cable coupling and prior loading may also have influenced some results.<br /><br />The study concludes that existing track-pressure design models may oversimplify actual loading and should account for machine operation and subsurface stiffness. Further field research is needed to improve recommendations for safe, economical working-platform design.

Keywords

track pressure

working-platform deformation

Bauer BG46

crane mats

steel plates

native ground

earth pressure cells

fiber-optic sensors

working-platform design

load distribution