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Inclinometers ApplicationGuideV1.0 PDF
Inclinometers ApplicationGuideV1.0 PDF
Portable
In-place
Wheeled probe
Reel
Cable
Readout
Accessories including cable gates, battery chargers, spare batteries
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l
MEMS inclinometers employ State of the Art MEMS sensor technology. MEMS (Micro -Electro - Mechanical
Systems) are an integration of mechanical elements, sensors, actuators and electronics on a common silicon
substrate through micro fabrication technology.
The mechanical structure of a typical MEMS sensor is shown in Figures 1 & 2 below
Figure 1
Figure 2
Polysilicon springs suspend the MEMS structure above the substrate such that the body of the sensor (also
known as the proof mass) can move in the X and Y axes.
Acceleration causes deflection of the proof mass from its centre position. Around the four sides of the square proof
mass are 32 sets of radial fingers. These fingers are positioned between plates that are fixed to the substrate. Each
finger and pair of fixed plates make up a differential capacitor, and the deflection of the proof mass is determined by
measuring the differential capacitance.
This sensing method has the ability of sensing both dynamic acceleration (i.e. shock or vibration) and static
acceleration (i.e. inclination or rotation). Signal conditioning is carried out within inclinometers so that a simple output
signal is obtained. This output can be used in conjunction with a calibration sheet to easily calculate the amount of tilt
that has occurred.
The MEMS sensors within inclinometers are configured to measure inclination from vertical. As movement occurs,
the inclinometer will move with its mounting, thus changing the inclination of the internal sensors.
Portable inclinometers
Within portable inclinometers there are two MEMS sensors mounted 90 to each other (biaxial) which have the
following operating ranges:Portable vertical
Portable inclined
Portable horizontal
30 from vertical
15 from 45
30 from horizontal
In-place inclinometers
In-place inclinometers are available as uniaxial and biaxial. In the uniaxial model only a single sensor is mounted in
the A direction with the following operating ranges:In-place vertical
In-place inclined
In-place horizontal
15 from vertical
15 from 45
15 from horizontal
In the bi-axial model, a second MEMS sensor is mounted at 90 to the other sensor and measures tilt in the
orthogonal direction.
3
Lateral Movement
(L sin )
Sum of Lateral
Movement (L sin )
500mm Interval
Length
500mm Interval
Length
Key Notes:
Inclinometer casing traditionally has four grooves. This is a result of the fact that early inclinometers included
only one sensor. Therefore in order to obtain a full survey the casing had to be surveyed in four directions.
As there appears to be no definitive industry explanation as to why four grooves are still used it is understood
that they have been retained to provide an element of flexibility/redundancy during installation where if
necessary the B axis grooves could be used.
Leading/
upper
wheel
+ ve Reading - ve
Leading/
upper
wheel
- ve
Reading
+ve
ELEMENT
MEASURAND
COMPUTATIONS
Dam toe
Body
Foundation
Structures
Tilt
Tilt
Tilt
Tilt
Tilt
Rotation
Tilt
Tilt
Body
Tilt
Load Testing
Tilt
Rotation (bending)
Adjacent soils
Tilt
Bridges
Piers Abutments
Tilt
Rotation
Tilt
Ground improvement
Body
Tilt
Slope /Landslides
ground profile
prior to slip
ground profile
after slip
ground
level
Ground
surface
slip plane
Slip plane
Inclinometer casing
slip
plane
Slip
plane
Inclinometers can be located in slopes and in areas that are sensitive to landslides and can help to identify the
following:-
Measurement of movement
ground anchor
Inclinometers can be located in diaphragm/retaining walls to confirm the following:Stability of the retaining wall
Deflection of the walls
Any movements that occur in the walls are within the design limitations
Ground movements that will affect other buildings near by
The performance of struts, rock bolts or anchors
Crest of Dam
Dam crest
Clay of Core
Dam core
Reservoir
Resevoir
Potential
slip
Potential
Slip Planes
planes
Soft Soil
Soft soil
Cut-off
Wall
Cut-off
wall
Firm Soil
Firm/stable soil
Inclinometers help to identify the following parameters:Movement in downstream section of dam (during and after construction).
Identification of shear zones in dam foundations.
Identification of movement in upstream section of dam (during and after construction).
Identification of :
Type of movement
Depth of movement
Direction of movement
Magnitude of movement
Rate of movement
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Reservoir
Permeable Soil
Cut off Wall
Firm Soil
Deformation of the concrete face slab which can lead to propagation of cracks and result in seepage
through the dam
The stability of upstream slopes during and after filling (impounding) as failure could result in dam overtopping.
Movement in the downstream side of the dam especially during filling (impounding)
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Soft soil
Soft Soil
Firm Soil
Firm soil
Inclinometer casing
Inclinometers help to monitor and/or measure the following :The location of any shear zones and what type e.g. circular or planar
The movement at the shear zone and determine whether the movement is constant, increasing or decreasing
Lateral movement of soft foundation material
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Dam
Dam
embankment
Tailings
Dam tailings
Soft
soil
Soft Soil
Firmsoil
Soil
Firm
Inclinometers help to monitor and/or measure the following :The location of any shear zones and what type e.g. circular or planar
The movement at the shear zone and determine whether the movement is constant, increasing or decreasing
Lateral movement of soft foundation material
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Finished
ground
Finished
Ground
Level
level
Inclinometer casing
Inclinometers help to monitor and/or measure the following :Locate shear zones
Identify if shearing is occurring in plan or circular form.
The movement at the shear zone and determine whether the movement is constant, increasing or
decreasing
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Inclinometers help to:Monitor movements in the soil due to construction of tunnels that may harm near by services/ underground
structures and buildings on the surface
Check design assumptions and modify model as required
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Drain
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Ground level
Ground Level
Soft Soil
Soft
soil
Firm Soil
Firm
soil
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18
Depth
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8.0 Operation
8.1
Good practice
When conducting inclinometer surveys there are a number of good working measures that includes:-
8.2
8.3
The use of the same probe and cable - this provides the most accurate survey.
When conducting an inclinometer survey it is important to mark the direction or groove of the first readings
that are to be taken.
When taking the first readings after installation, it is good practice to take at least 3 initial readings first, so
that reliable data can be obtained from the inclinometer casing.
Use the same reference point, either the bottom or top of the casing.
Using a cable gate at the top provides a more repeatable point and helps protect the cable from damage.
Ensure the probe is adequately protected for storage and transportation.
Instrument preparation and handling
Ensure that probe wheels and carriages are moving smoothly. If necessary spray with suitable lubricant
Inspect O-rings and connectors for wear and damage.
NEVER USE AN OIL BASED LUBRICANT ON THE CABLE TO PROBE CONNECTOR AS THIS WILL
DAMAGE IT
Ensure the cable reel and readout have fully charged batteries.
Attach probe to cable, ensuring the connection is hand tight (do not over tighten)
Connect PDA to probe and cable reel via Bluetooth.
An inclinometer survey
Identify the A+ groove in the casing. Insert the probe so that the lowermost wheel is in the opposite groove
(A-) and the uppermost wheel is in the A+ groove.
Lower probe to base of casing and where necessary allow the probe temperature to stabilise.
Using the cable gate to support the cable, raise the probe through 500mm intervals, allowing the readings
to stabilise at each interval and then record them on the readout.
Once the probe reaches the top of the casing, remove it, rotate it 180 and reinsert into the casing so that
the lowest wheel is in the A+ groove. Lower to base of casing and complete survey.
If a point or measurement is missed lower the inclinometer probe to one point below the missed recording
point and pull up to the missed point again and record the reading.
8.4
8.5
Data handling - data can either be manipulated manually or by specialist software packages such as
Inclinalysis - for full details please refer to the Data Handling section or the manual
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Geosense Ltd
Nova House . Rougham Industrial Estate . Rougham . Bury St Edmunds . Suffolk . IP30 9ND . England .
Tel: +44 (0) 1359 270457 . Fax: +44 (0) 1359 272860 . email: info@geosense.co.uk . www.geosense.co.uk
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