Figure 4. NCEL automated monitoring device, LOBSTER. 



The devices mentioned in the previous paragraphs are currently being 

 used to monitor the performance of seafloor structures. These devices, and 

 others not mentioned, succeed in answering some of the questions concerning 

 the scale of foundation performance and the parameters affecting foundation 

 performance and design. However, two points must be emphasized. A need 

 still exists for other, new devices capable of monitoring parameters (such as 

 earthquake response and pore pressure dissipation) presently not being moni- 

 tored. Some of these devices will have to be sophisticated and expensive; 

 therefore, only foundations which justify a high degree of performance 

 monitoring will be able to afford them. Other devices can be inexpensive 

 and permit low-cost foundation monitoring. The second, and perhaps most 

 important, need is for an increase in the number of foundations being moni- 

 tored. Whether the monitoring devices are sophisticated (such as LOBSTER) 

 or unsophisticated (such as visual observations), much valuable design data 

 are gained by recording some or all of the in-situ foundation behavior. By 



