Geosense's Inclinometer Range
The most familiar product ranges supplied at PCTE are NDT and Laboratory equipment for concrete and construction. What our customers may not know is that PCTE supplies a range of instruments for geotechnical applications and structural monitoring, including strain gauges, tilt meters and beams, piezometers, and the focus of todays article portable and in-place inclinometers.
Inclinometers can be used to measure the relative displacement in ground and of structures that lie beneath ground. Inclinometer tubing is cast into boreholes. An inclinometer probe passed through the entire length of the tube records inclination vs depth which is displayed in terms of horizontal or angular displacement.
Some applications are to monitor lateral earth movements to predict landslides in unstable slopes, monitor roadway embankments and retaining walls and they may also be utilized to measure deflection of shafts, piles, excavations, tunnels, etc.
Portable Inclinometers
Geosense's Portable MEMS Inclinometer needs only a phone or tablet to enable tilt data from the probe to be saved, emailed or transferred directly to external services using API or FTP. Models are available for horizontal, vertical and inclined applications.
Packages will include an elongation-resistant cable, slimline detachable probe and a lightweight reel with Bluetooth and a storage case for probe components.
The MEMs biaxial sensors and signal conditioning board complies to industry standards and are fitted into the probe to allow calibration factors to be stored in the probe. Double Kevlar reinforced cable and depth markers were designed and tested with weight up to 40kg.
In-Place Inclinometers
A portable inclinometer does not provide continuous monitoring, information as the slope movement is unknown until the inclinometer is lowered into the borehole.
When using In-place inclinometers the slope movement is monitored continuously and with the right communication hardware can be logged, or presented via web service.
Geosense's in-place inclinometers, extension rods and cables connect with a single twist double lock joint, that links the hardware firmly and connects the data cables between sensors.
If only critical measurements are needed lengths of inclinometer rod and sensor may be extended with wire rope system components to place sensors only are required depths.
In-Place Inclinometer Components
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Top Hangar
Used to suspend the complete string. Placed on the top of the 70mm inclinometer casing. Weight 0.3kg -
Wire Hangar Extension
A 3mm wire suspension rope used to position the first sensor at the required depth and is connected to the top collar hanger and the IPI top fly lead assembly. Available either as pre-assembled lengths (1, 2, 3, 4m) or supplied as site adjustable. Weight 0.05kg/m -
IPI Top Fly Lead Assembly
A universal component which acts as top suspension adaptor and cable connector. Fitted as standard with 4.5m of digital BUS cable for connection to a readout or data logger. Other cable lengths available on request. Weight 0.5kg -
In-Place Inclinometer Probe
Instrument fitted with two (Biaxial) MEMS sensors. It is mounted within a watertight stainless steel tube fitted with two wheel sets that run in the internal grooves of inclinometer casing. One set has a fixed wheel and the other is sprung loaded. The output from the sensors is digital RS-485 BUS so that several IPIs can be connected together on one single cable. Weight 1.3kg -
Extension Rod
Used to connect each IPI sensor together to create a full tilt profile. Specially designed quick connecting fittings on each end, together with anintegral internal signal cable. Available in 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5m lengths. (Special lengths are available on request). Weights: 0.5m - 0.75kg; 1m - 1kg; 1.5m - 1.45kg; 2m - 1.9kg; 2.5m - 2.35kg -
Extension Rod with Settlement Sensors [IPI-X only]
Extension Rod with internal Positional Sensor to create a full settlement profile. -
Magnetic Target [IPI-X only]
Attached to the outside of the casing to measure vertical displacement. -
Bottom Wheel / Termination
Fitted with a rigid joint, the bottom wheel assembly acts as the base reference from which all other readings are taken. It is fitted with an integral end termination resistor which is required at the end of the RS-485 string. Fitted with an eye bolt for support rope. Weight 0.5kg.