What Is A Soil Inclinometer, And How It Works?

Among the various geotechnical equipment used for measurement purposes, a soil inclinometer is the most extensively used. It is a device used to measure the magnitude of the elevation, slope, tilt, or depression of soil concerning gravity. In the field of construction, inclinometers are also used to measure the deformation of a structure.

Inclinometers are handheld devices and can be either digital or analogue. Due to its design and weight, an inclinometer is portable and easily carried to various sites.

What does an inclinometer consist of?

Inclinometers are mainly of two types:

1. Manual/Digital Inclinometer: These inclinometers consist of:

·       Inclinometer probe

·       Inclinometer cable reel

·       The android mobile readout unit

·       Accessories

2. In-place Inclinometer: An in-place inclinometer is made of the following parts:

·       Bottom wheel assembly

·       In-place inclinometer sensor

·       Spacer tubing

·       Placement tubing

·       Protective cover

·       Junction box

·       Data logger

How does an inclinometer work?

The probes of the inclinometers consist of two types of accelerometers:

Servo accelerometer: In this case, the probe is made of two bi-axial servo-accelerometers. Two sets of wheels that are pressured by springs are present. These guide the probe along the longitudinal grooves along with the inclinometer casing. The sensing elements in the probe are force-balanced and can accurately detect a change in tilt.

MEMS accelerometer: Many of the sophisticated inclinometers use MEMS (Micro Electrical, Mechanical Systems) technology. Sensors, actuators, mechanical elements, and electronics are integrated on a silicon substrate using microfabrication technology to create MEMS. 32 sets of radial fingers surround the square proof mass. These fingers are placed between certain plats attached to the substrate, and each finger, along with a pair of plats, make up a capacitor. When acceleration occurs, the proof mass is deflected, and this deflection is measured through differential capacitance. Dynamic as well as static acceleration can be measured using this method. The amount of tilt is calculated by consulting a calibration sheet.

The right type of soil inclinometer for the job would depend on the purpose and the sought accuracy. Inclinometers find widespread application in monitoring slope stability, landslides, tunnel drilling, excavations, and more!

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