What is the Purpose of Monitoring Using Geotechnical Instruments?
The performance of geotechnical structures such as foundations, retaining walls, embankments, in many cases, monitored for purposes of both short-term and long-term safety, for evaluations of performance-based-design and as part of the implementation of the observational method.

Measurements with geotechnical instruments are used as input to the initial design of a facility or remedial treatment, and to ensure safety, reduce construction costs, or control construction procedures. Measurements can also be used to ensure long-term satisfactory performance, to provide legal protection to an owner responsible for construction, and to advance the state of the art of geotechnical engineering. Inclinometers, piezometers and optical surveys have been used to monitor a majority of projects.

American GeoServices provides meaningful engineering and scientific analysis that can provide the basis for confident decisions and recommendations about the performance of structures. American GeoServices works with various clients and projects to provide recommendations for proper use of the performance data as they relate to their projects and overall safety of their structures.

Geotechnical instrumentation plays an important role in the investigation of mine-site geology, geological structures (faults, jointing, etc.), rock mass properties, groundwater conditions, and in-situ stress fields. These are necessary inputs for carrying out prefeasibility studies and mine design, optimizing existing operations, and mitigating uncertainty

Limited geotechnical instrumentation may be needed for simple projects but the demands on geotechnical instrumentation and monitoring can be very demanding for critical projects such as tunnels, slopes, and excavations next to sensitive structures. The principal parameters of interest in geotechnical monitoring are: (1) soil deformations, (2) stresses acting on structural elements, and   3) ground water pressure.​