This study addresses the critical need for enhanced safety management in underground construction sites, specifically for temporary earth retaining structures, following major collapse incidents in 2018, which exposed the fundamental limitations of traditional, manual measurement methods. While smart measurement technology offering real-time monitoring emerged as a necessary alternative to the delays inherent in manual methods, its actual on-site adoption remains low despite policy efforts by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The research highlights a significant gap between the perceived need for this technology and the reality of its implementation, stemming from the absence of standardized guidelines and insufficient industry readiness.
Through an objective diagnosis of current measurement management practices, the study reveals a distinct disparity between planned and actual implementation. Interestingly, construction sites often voluntarily adopt higher levels of automated measurement than initially planned to ensure practical safety, recognizing the limitations of manual systems. However, the measurement industry itself is hindered by a chronic low-cost structure and small-scale operations, leading to insufficient R&D investment. The core issue is identified not as a lack of available technology, but as a weak industrial base and inadequate institutional environments to support its adoption in underground excavation projects.
The research analyzes five critical institutional voids impeding smart measurement activation: ineffective direct ordering systems that compromise the independence of measurement agencies; the lack of registration standards allowing unqualified businesses entry; the absence of mandatory specialized civil engineering supervision for complex geotechnical analysis; outdated municipal manuals lacking criteria for automated measurement systems; and nonexistent cost calculation guidelines making budgeting for smart technology difficult.
To bridge these gaps, the study proposes a comprehensive "Smart Measurement Activation Plan" encompassing technology, institutions, and personnel. Technically, it clearly defines smart measurement technology as an "intelligent control method" involving real-time IoT sensing network data collection, automatic analysis, and decision support, proposing minimum standards for reliability. Institutionally, it calls for enforcing direct ordering, urgently updating Seoul’s excavation review manuals, establishing Seoul-specific cost guidelines, and introducing a business registration system similar to other safety sectors.
Furthermore, the research emphasizes elevating human resource expertise by mandating specialized civil engineering supervisors for excavations exceeding 10m depth and introducing an accreditation system for measurement professionals with required technical education. In conclusion, this research underscores the urgent need to overhaul the institutional framework and industrial base supporting the measurement management of earth retaining structures in Seoul, proposing practical measures to transition from reactive manual measurement reliance to proactive, smart safety management.