What is the Encardio-Rite ESMP-10 soil settlement point and what is it used for?

The Encardio-Rite ESMP-10 (and ESMP-10C2 expandable variant) is a ground settlement point used for monitoring vertical settlement on the surface and bed level of embankments and soil mass. It is installed at the base of the embankment before filling commences, and as fill layers are added, successive segments of MS extension rods and PVC protective pipes are coupled to keep the stainless steel survey pin above the growing fill surface. Settlement readings are taken with a digital auto level by comparing subsequent readings with the initial base reading taken before construction starts.

What are the main components of the ESMP-10 soil settlement point?

The ESMP-10 comprises four main components: an AISI-304 stainless steel survey pin (16 mm diameter) with a hemispherical top marked with a red-coloured cross or dot for precise levelling sighting; MS extension rods (approximately 1200 mm long, 16 mm diameter) with threaded ends for coupling successive segments as fill advances; an outer protective PVC pipe (48 mm outside diameter, 37 mm inside diameter) with a 48 mm pipe socket; and an MS grouting base plate (900 mm × 900 mm square, 9 mm thick) firmly rested on the bed level. A lockable protective heavy-duty cover is also available separately.

How are settlement readings taken with the ESMP-10?

Settlement readings of the ESMP-10 are taken using a digital auto level. An initial or base reading is taken before construction starts — this records the starting elevation of the survey pin top. Subsequent readings are then taken at regular intervals during construction and compared with this initial reading. The difference between the initial reading and the current reading gives the amount of vertical settlement (or heave) that has occurred at that point in the embankment or soil mass.

How does the ESMP-10C2 expandable settlement point work during progressive fill construction?

As filling works advance and successive layers of compacted earth are added to the embankment, successive segments of MS extension rods (16 mm diameter × 1200 mm long, with threaded ends for coupling) and protective PVC pipe segments (48 mm OD) are installed and joined. This keeps the stainless steel survey pin above the advancing fill surface at all stages of construction. The maximum achievable height is approximately +12 m above bed level. The MS grouting base plate (900 × 900 × 9 mm) remains fixed at the original bed level throughout.

What is the purpose of the 900 × 900 mm MS base plate in the ESMP-10?

The 900 mm × 900 mm × 9 mm MS grouting base plate is firmly rested on the bed level at the bottom of the installation. Its large surface area distributes load and provides a stable anchor for the entire settlement point assembly, ensuring the extension rod and PVC pipe string remains fixed in position as fill layers are placed above it. The base plate remains at the original bed level and its settlement relative to a fixed datum reflects the true vertical settlement of the embankment base.

What is the protective cover for the ESMP-10 and when is it used?

A lockable protective heavy-duty cover is available separately for the ESMP-10. It is used to protect the top of the installation — specifically the stainless steel survey pin and the top of the PVC pipe — from mechanical damage, construction traffic, and tampering between reading sessions. The lockable design ensures the survey pin head remains undisturbed and the installation retains its integrity over long monitoring periods.

What are the typical applications of the ESMP-10 soil settlement point?

The ESMP-10 is used for monitoring vertical settlement in highway and railway embankments, road construction fills, dams and bund embankments, infrastructure construction fills, and soil mass settlement monitoring during ground improvement works. It is particularly suited for progressive fill construction sites where the fill surface rises over time, as the expandable design allows the survey pin to be maintained above the fill level throughout the construction period.

How does the ESMP-10 soil settlement point differ from the EPS-12 pavement and EBS-16 building settlement points?

The ESMP-10 is designed specifically for installation in soil and embankments, featuring a large 900 × 900 mm MS base plate for stability in soft or loose fill, expandable MS extension rods and PVC pipe for progressive fill construction, and a stainless steel survey pin for optical levelling. The EPS-12 pavement settlement point is designed for installation in existing paved surfaces (roads, pavements, car parks) for monitoring settlement of constructed surfaces. The EBS-16 building settlement point is designed for installation in the foundations, walls, or columns of buildings and structures to monitor structural settlement. All three are read by digital auto level but are optimised for different substrates and monitoring scenarios.

Soil Settlement Point

Model ESMP-10

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Download Data Sheet - English

Encardio-rite model ESMP-10 settlement points are used for monitoring vertical settlement on the surface of embankments & soil mass etc. It comprises of an AISI-304 stainless steel survey pin with a hemi-spherical top with a red colored dot mark, MS extension rod, an outer protective PVC and a MS grouting plate. A lockable protective heavy duty cover is available to protect the top of installation (to be ordered separately).

Settlement readings of ESMP-10 are taken with a digital auto level. To determine settlement, an initial or base reading is taken before the construction starts. Subsequent readings (taken during construction) are then compared with initial reading as reference.

Survey Pin	16 mm dia x 50 mm length; AISI-304 stainless steel
Extension Rod	16 mm dia x 0.5 ~3 m long (depending on requirement); MS
Protective Pipe	48 mm o.d., 37 mm i.d; PVC
Grouting Plate	150 mm dia x 5 mm thickness; MS