How to Monitor Building Movement Using a Total Station and Monitoring Prism

 

One practical method for monitoring the position of selected points on a building is to use a total station together with fixed monitoring prisms.

 

A monitoring prism such as the Myzox TK-10S / TK-10 Monitoring Prism L-Bar Type can be installed at a predetermined location on the structure and repeatedly measured over time.

 

By comparing current measurements against baseline data, surveyors can identify positional changes at the monitored points.

 

This approach is commonly relevant to building movement, structural deformation, deep excavation and construction monitoring projects in Malaysia.

 

MTM Precision Sdn. Bhd. is an authorized distributor of Myzox in Malaysia.

 

What Equipment Is Required?

 

A typical prism-based building monitoring setup may include:

 

Total station

 

Myzox monitoring prisms

 

Stable survey control points

 

Tripod

 

Tribrach

 

Survey accessories

 

Monitoring point records

 

Data processing or monitoring software

 

The exact equipment depends on project scale, required measurement performance and monitoring methodology.

 

Step 1: Define What Needs to Be Monitored

 

Before installing targets, identify the objective.

 

For example:

 

Is the building beside a deep excavation?

 

Is piling taking place nearby?

 

Is a tunnel being constructed?

 

Is the structure beside a major infrastructure project?

 

Is long-term deformation being investigated?

 

The monitoring objective determines where points should be established and how frequently observations may be required.

 

Step 2: Establish Stable Reference Control

 

This is one of the most important stages.

 

The total station needs stable reference points that are appropriately located relative to the area being monitored.

 

A simplified arrangement is:

 

Stable Control Points → Total Station → Building Monitoring Prisms

 

If the reference network moves, apparent changes can appear in the monitored coordinates.

 

The monitoring system therefore depends on both stable control and stable target installation.

 

Step 3: Select Monitoring Locations on the Building

 

Monitoring points should be selected according to the project's engineering and surveying requirements.

 

Possible locations may include:

 

Building façade

 

Structural column

 

Concrete wall

 

Perimeter structure

 

Selected structural elements

 

Areas facing nearby excavation

 

The points should represent the locations the project team intends to observe.

 

Step 4: Check Future Line of Sight

 

Do not consider only today's site conditions.

 

Ask whether the total station will still be able to see the target later in the project.

 

Possible future obstructions include:

 

Scaffolding

 

Hoarding

 

New structures

 

Construction equipment

 

Safety netting

 

Temporary works

 

Material storage

 

Good monitoring point planning considers the expected construction sequence.

 

Step 5: Install the Monitoring Prism

 

The prism should be securely installed at the selected location.

 

The Myzox TK-10S / TK-10 L-Bar Type provides a compact fixed target suitable for monitoring applications.

 

After installation, check that:

 

Mounting is secure

 

Target is not loose

 

Prism is not damaged

 

Location is correctly identified

 

Line of sight is available

 

The prism should remain physically stable throughout the monitoring period.

 

Step 6: Orient the Prism

 

The prism needs a suitable orientation toward the total station.

 

The Myzox TK-10S / TK-10 provides X/Y directional adjustment, allowing surveyors to adjust the target orientation during installation.

 

This is useful when the building surface does not directly face the observation position.

 

Step 7: Enter the Correct Prism Constant

 

The Myzox TK-10S / TK-10 has a specified:

 

Prism Constant: -25 mm

 

The appropriate setting should be configured on the total station according to the instrument manufacturer's instructions.

 

Using an incorrect prism constant can introduce a systematic distance offset.

 

This setting should be checked before establishing baseline measurements.

 

Step 8: Assign Monitoring Point IDs

 

Every target should have a unique point number.

 

For example:

 

BLD-A-MP01

BLD-A-MP02

BLD-A-MP03

BLD-B-MP01

 

A structured naming system becomes particularly valuable on large projects containing many monitoring targets.

 

Step 9: Document Each Monitoring Point

 

Create a record for every prism.

 

Useful information can include:

 

Point ID

 

Building name

 

Installation location

 

Installation date

 

Photograph

 

Prism model

 

Prism constant

 

Initial coordinates

 

Observation station

 

Site notes

 

This documentation makes future monitoring and troubleshooting easier.

 

Step 10: Establish the Baseline

 

The initial observation provides the baseline against which future measurements can be compared.

 

Where possible, baseline observations should be obtained before the relevant construction activity begins.

 

For example:

 

Baseline: Before Excavation

 

This creates a reference position for the monitoring point.

 

Step 11: Begin Repeat Monitoring

 

Once construction starts, measurements can be repeated according to the monitoring schedule.

 

For example:

 

Baseline

↓

Week 1

↓

Week 2

↓

Week 3

↓

Week 4

 

Alternatively, measurements may follow construction stages:

 

Baseline → Piling → Excavation Stage 1 → Excavation Stage 2 → Basement Works → Structural Works

 

The appropriate frequency should follow project requirements.

 

Step 12: Compare Coordinates

 

Suppose a monitoring point has baseline coordinates:

 

X₀, Y₀, Z₀

 

A later observation produces:

 

X₁, Y₁, Z₁

 

The difference between the observations can be evaluated as positional change.

 

Monitoring software or suitable calculation procedures can be used to analyse these differences.

 

What Can Total Station Monitoring Detect?

 

Depending on the survey methodology, prism observations can support evaluation of:

 

Horizontal displacement

 

Lateral movement

 

Changes in elevation

 

Three-dimensional positional change

 

Movement trends over time

 

The actual measurement capability depends on the instrument, survey geometry, observation conditions and procedures.

 

Can a Total Station Measure Building Settlement?

 

Total station observations can provide elevation information, but not every settlement-monitoring requirement should automatically be handled by total station prism observations alone.

 

Where high-precision vertical settlement monitoring is required, precise levelling or other appropriate techniques may also be specified.

 

The monitoring method should match the required accuracy and engineering objective.

 

How Many Prisms Should Be Installed?

 

There is no universal answer.

 

The number depends on:

 

Building size

 

Monitoring objective

 

Expected movement

 

Project geometry

 

Engineering requirements

 

Required coverage

 

Total station visibility

 

For example:

 

MP01 — MP02 — MP03 — MP04 — MP05

 

Multiple targets can provide information about different areas of the building.

 

What If One Prism Shows Sudden Movement?

 

Do not automatically conclude that the building has moved.

 

First follow the project's verification procedures.

 

Checks may include:

 

Repeat the measurement

 

Confirm point ID

 

Inspect the prism

 

Check prism mounting

 

Check orientation

 

Confirm prism constant

 

Verify total station setup

 

Check reference control

 

Review previous observations

 

An isolated abnormal result should be investigated appropriately.

 

Monitoring Trends Are Important

 

Monitoring becomes more useful when measurements are viewed over time.

 

For example:

 

Baseline → Small Change → Small Change → Continuing Change

 

may indicate a trend requiring professional evaluation.

 

By contrast:

 

Normal → Normal → One Abnormal Observation → Normal

 

may require investigation for measurement or target-related issues.

 

Interpretation should be carried out according to the project's engineering monitoring procedures.

 

Myzox TK-10S / TK-10 Specifications

 

SpecificationDetailsModelsTK-10S / TK-10TypeMonitoring Prism L-Bar TypePrism Size1 inch / 25 mmPrism Constant-25 mmPrism Height60 mmBeam Deviation5″DimensionsH90 × W86.5 × D30 mmWeightApprox. 207 gAdjustmentX/Y direction

 

The compact L-bar configuration is designed specifically for fixed monitoring points.

 

Applications Beyond Building Monitoring

 

The same monitoring method can support applications involving:

 

Retaining walls

 

Bridges

 

Slopes

 

Deep excavation

 

High-rise construction

 

MRT and railway projects

 

Infrastructure structures

 

General structural deformation monitoring

 

Total Station Calibration for Building Monitoring

 

Repeated measurements depend on consistent instrument performance.

 

Total stations used for monitoring should be maintained and checked according to professional requirements.

 

MTM Precision provides total station calibration and surveying instrument service in Malaysia, supporting surveyors, contractors and engineering companies carrying out monitoring work.

 

Myzox Monitoring Prism Supplier in Malaysia

 

MTM Precision supplies Myzox monitoring prisms, total station accessories and professional surveying equipment in Malaysia.

 

We support land surveyors, engineering surveyors, contractors, structural consultants, geotechnical consultants and monitoring specialists.

 

Contact MTM Precision

 

MTM Precision Sdn. Bhd.

Myzox Authorized Distributor in Malaysia

 

Showroom & Service Centre

No. 29-1 & 29-2, Jalan Bandar 18,

Pusat Bandar Puchong,

47160 Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia.

 

Website: www.mtmpre.com.my

Email: mtmpre@yahoo.com

WhatsApp: +6016-6607346

 

Contact MTM Precision for Myzox TK-10S / TK-10 Monitoring Prism, total station calibration, price, availability and building monitoring enquiries in Malaysia.