Post-Earthquake Building Inspection Malaysia Crack, Settlement & Structural Movement Monitoring Equipment
Published: 28 August 2026 Post-Earthquake Building Inspection Malaysia – Crack, Settlement & Structural Movement Monitoring Equipment QUICK ANSWER After a felt earthquake or unusual ground movement, different instruments are needed to answer different questions about a building or structure. Did the Building Move? → Total Station + Permanent Monitoring Prism Did the Building Settle? → Auto Level + Levelling Staff Did Existing Cracks Change? → Crack Width Meter / Crack Monitor Does Concrete Need Further Investigation? → Concrete & Structural NDT Equipment Need to Record Seismic Ground Motion? → Purpose-Designed Seismic Monitoring Equipment MTM Precision supplies Surveying, Structural Monitoring and Concrete NDT Equipment in Malaysia for engineers, surveyors, consultants, contractors and infrastructure applications. WHAT SHOULD BE CHECKED AFTER A FELT EARTHQUAKE? After an earthquake is felt, building owners may immediately notice: Wall Cracks Concrete Cracks Tile Cracks Doors or Windows Becoming Difficult to Close Visible Movement Falling Material Changes Around Columns or Beams Ground or Slope Movement However, visual observation alone cannot determine the cause or structural significance. The important step is to separate the questions and use the correct measurement method. 1. CHECK & RECORD VISIBLE CRACKS If cracks are visible, establish a record. Useful information includes: Crack Location Crack Width Date Photograph Reference Point Subsequent Changes A Crack Width Meter can provide a quantitative measurement rather than relying on descriptions such as: “small crack” or “large crack”. The better record is: Measured Crack Width + Location + Date 2. MONITOR WHETHER THE CRACK IS CHANGING A single measurement tells you the crack width at one point in time. Repeated measurements answer a more useful question: “Is the crack changing?” A typical process is: Initial Measurement ↓ Record & Photograph ↓ Repeat Measurement ↓ Compare Results ↓ Identify Trend Where longer-term observation is required, suitable Crack Monitoring Equipment may be used. 3. CHECK FOR BUILDING SETTLEMENT If there is concern that part of the building has changed elevation, survey levelling may be required. A suitable system may use: Stable Benchmark + Auto Level + Levelling Staff + Settlement Monitoring Points The important measurement is the change between monitoring periods. Baseline Elevation ↓ Repeat Levelling ↓ Compare Elevations This can help identify measurable settlement at selected monitoring points. 4. CHECK FOR STRUCTURAL MOVEMENT Crack monitoring does not tell you whether an entire structural point has changed position. Where building deformation or displacement needs to be monitored, a survey-based solution may use: Total Station + Permanent Monitoring Prism + Stable Reference Points Monitoring prisms can be installed at selected structural locations. The Total Station repeatedly measures the same targets. Baseline Position ↓ Repeat Survey ↓ Coordinate Comparison ↓ Movement Trend 5. TOTAL STATION + MONITORING PRISM A Permanent Monitoring Prism provides a fixed survey target. This can be particularly useful where repeated measurements are required on: Buildings Retaining Walls Bridges Dams Tunnels Slopes Infrastructure Compact Mini Monitoring Prisms may be suitable where multiple permanent targets are required. The prism itself does not detect an earthquake. It provides a repeatable target for structural deformation measurements using a Total Station. 6. CONCRETE & STRUCTURAL NDT If a professional inspection identifies the need for further investigation of concrete elements, appropriate Non-Destructive Testing Equipment may be considered. Depending on the actual engineering question, this may include: Concrete Rebound Hammer Crack Width Meter Rebar Scanner Concrete Cover Meter Ultrasonic Concrete Testing Equipment Anchor Pull-Out Testing Equipment Different instruments measure different properties. For example: Rebound Hammer → Surface hardness / rebound-related assessment Rebar Scanner → Rebar location / cover-related measurement Crack Width Meter → Crack width These instruments should not individually be treated as a complete structural safety assessment. 7. EARTHQUAKE MONITORING VS POST-EARTHQUAKE INSPECTION These are different activities. Earthquake / Seismic Monitoring Purpose: Record seismic ground or structural motion during an event Equipment: Purpose-Designed Seismic Monitoring Instrument Post-Earthquake Structural Monitoring Purpose: Determine whether selected structural conditions or positions have changed Equipment may include: Total Station Monitoring Prism Auto Level Levelling Staff Crack Width Meter Structural NDT Equipment This distinction is important when selecting equipment. 8. WHAT ABOUT RETAINING WALLS & SLOPES? After unusual ground movement, concern may extend beyond the building itself. Possible areas requiring professional assessment include: Retaining Walls Cut Slopes Road Slopes Embankments Hillside Developments Structures Near Slopes For suitable surface movement monitoring: Total Station + Monitoring Prism / Survey Target may provide repeatable positional measurements. Specialist geotechnical instrumentation may also be required depending on the investigation. 9. WHAT ABOUT BRIDGES & INFRASTRUCTURE? The same principle applies to larger civil structures. Different questions require different measurements. Bridge Point Movement → Total Station + Monitoring Prism Elevation Change → Levelling Crack Change → Crack Monitoring Concrete Investigation → Structural NDT Seismic Motion → Seismic Monitoring Equipment There is no single handheld instrument that performs all of these functions. 10. WHICH EQUIPMENT DO YOU NEED? Visible Building Crack → Crack Width Meter Need to Know Whether the Crack Is Growing → Crack Monitor Suspected Building Settlement → Auto Level + Levelling Staff Suspected Structural Movement → Total Station + Monitoring Prism Concrete Investigation → Appropriate Structural NDT Equipment Need to Record Future Earthquake Motion → Purpose-Designed Seismic Monitoring Equipment POST-EARTHQUAKE EQUIPMENT ENQUIRY – WHAT TO TELL MTM When contacting MTM Precision, tell us: 1. What Structure Are You Checking? Building / bridge / retaining wall / slope / infrastructure 2. What Did You Observe? Crack / settlement / movement / vibration 3. What Do You Need to Measure? 4. Do You Already Have a Total Station or Auto Level? 5. How Many Monitoring Points Are Required? 6. What Accuracy Is Required? 7. Is This One-Time Inspection or Long-Term Monitoring? This allows us to identify the appropriate measurement equipment category instead of recommending an unrelated instrument. FAQ What Equipment Is Used After an Earthquake to Check a Building? There is no single universal instrument. Depending on the investigation, equipment may include Crack Width Meters, Total Stations, Monitoring Prisms, Auto Levels and Structural NDT Equipment. Can a Total Station Check Whether a Building Moved? A Total Station can repeatedly measure suitable fixed targets so that selected positions can be compared over time. How Can Building Settlement Be Monitored? Appropriate levelling procedures using an Auto Level, Levelling Staff and stable reference benchmarks can measure elevation changes. Can a Rebound Hammer Tell Me Whether a Building Is Safe After an Earthquake? No. A rebound hammer provides specific concrete-related measurement information. It does not independently determine the overall structural safety of a building. Can a Machinery Vibration Meter Be Used as an Earthquake Monitor? A normal machinery vibration meter should not be treated as a substitute for purpose-designed seismic monitoring equipment. Where Can I Buy Structural Monitoring Equipment in Malaysia? MTM Precision supplies Total Stations, Monitoring Prisms, Auto Levels, Levelling Staffs, Crack Measurement and Structural NDT Equipment in Malaysia. IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE If a building shows major new cracking, visible deformation, falling concrete or masonry, damaged columns or beams, unusual tilting or other signs of potentially serious structural damage, equipment purchasing should not be the first priority. The affected area should be managed appropriately and the structure assessed by qualified structural professionals and relevant authorities where necessary. Measurement equipment can support an investigation, but it does not replace professional structural assessment. CONTACT MTM PRECISION MTM Precision Sdn Bhd No. 29-1 & 29-2, Jalan Bandar 18, Pusat Bandar Puchong, 47160 Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia Website: www.mtmpre.com.my WhatsApp: +6016-660 7346 Email: mtmpre@yahoo.com
28 Aug 2026
