Real Time Distress Monitoring of Soft Soil Highway Embankment

Highway embankments constructed over soft soil foundation exhibit pronounced settlement/geotechnical distresses resulting in reduced service life of communication infrastructure; necessitates real time monitoring system. Upgradation/maintenances of road infrastructure is a continuous practice, worldwide. Construction of Swat Motorway in Pakistan is one such mega project at hand, where high water table and soft foundation strata is encountered. This paper attempts to explore and evaluate the modern procedural developments in highway embankments; acquisition, interpretation and processing of real time data associated with soft soil monitoring systems using Micro Electro Mechanical Sensors (MEMS). The authors are of the view that findings of the research would help proposing innovative methodology in reducing foundation hazards related to highways, minimizing maintenance cost and help improving roadways serviceability.