A new scheme for field measure in rock engineering is proposed. The core technology in the new scheme is the use of light emitting sensors capable of (1) measuring data and (2) presenting them simultaneously by color of light using LED or other form of light emitting devices. Unlike in a conventional method of data acquisition, the use of these new devices enables real-time data processing and visualization on-site, so that the state of deformation, strain, inclination and etc. for a rock structure in concern is grasped with no delay in time and is shown visually to anyone nearby. Rational use of the new scheme On Site Visualization offers a new stage whereby visually shared real-time information about the rock structures in concern could lead to a new paradigm of field measurement in rock engineering.
It is a commonly accepted practice in monitoring schemes for rock engineering that information gathered by monitoring devices is stored on a PC and printed later for reporting. As far as visual presentation of the measured data is concerned, it is usually performed on the PC screen. The time required for this data processing has decreased dramatically recently; however, the term "real-time" may not be used in a strict sense, since at least several seconds are required to process raw data into visible forms either on PC screen or printed materials. More importantly, one is informed with the current state of deformation and etc. not where the event is happening, but where one can look at the PC screen which could be far away from the site. In addition, technical problems associated with data gathering and transmission, or human errors in machine operation could jeopardize correct management of measured information, thus putting workers and citizens nearby in endangered positions as the necessary information to them is not transmitted properly. It is also the case that majority of sites such as dangerous steep slopes or high rock walls seen in construction sites, are not monitored at all due to budget problems. Therefore, most of us are exposed to potential dangers with those un-monitored sites as nothing is measured, and therefore, nothing about them is known. Use of "Light" as a warning sign has been available for many years ago. However, the way the warning light has been used is somehow limited to such a case that one or very limited number of light devices are used to launch a warning light when pre-determined conditions are met. For the case of rock fall detection, as an example, a wide zone is monitored by a single long rope set at certain height from ground such that a piece of rock falling at arbitrary position could be trapped by the rope or give temporary deformation to the rope, thus switching on the warning light. Therefore, it can be said that both the quality and the quantity of information that can be gathered and transmitted to us in this traditional method, are very limited in many ways.
