Tiltmeters
Introduction  |  EL Tiltmeter | Portable Tiltmeter |  EL Beam Sensor | EL Track Monitor

Applications

Tiltmeters are used to monitor changes in the tilt of a structure. Tilt changes may be caused construction activities, such as excavation, tunneling, and dewatering, that affect the ground that supports the structure. Changes in tilt may also result from loading of a structure, such as the loading of a dam during impoundment, the loading of a diaphram wall during excavation, or the loading of a bridge deck due to wind and traffic.

Typical applications for tiltmeters include:

• Monitoring stabilization measures, such as pressure grouting and underpinning.
• Monitoring structures for the effects of tunneling and excavating.
• Evaluating the performance of bridges, beams, and dams under load.
• Monitoring the stability of structures in landslide areas.
• Monitoring the deflection and deformation of retaining walls.
• Monitoring convergence and other movements in tunnels.
• Providing early warning of threatening deformations, allowing time for corrective action to be taken or, if necessary, for safe evacuation of the area.

Types of Tiltmeters

Portable Tiltmeter
The portable tiltmeter employs the Digitilt servo-accelerometer used in Slope Indicator's inclinometer probes.

Advantages: A single tiltmeter can be used to monitor any number of inexpensive tilt plates.

Limitations: No remote reading, cannot be automated, accuracy affected by placement of tiltmeter on tiltplate.

EL Tiltmeter and EL MonoPod Tiltmeter
The EL tiltmeter is a high resolution, narrow-angle, uniaxial tiltmeter. The EL MonoPod tiltmeter is a wide angle tiltmeter and is offered in uniaxial or biaxial models.

Advantages: High resolution measurements, remote reading, easily automated, easy to install, can be removed and reused, reasonable cost.

Limitations: Some applications require temperature corrections, although careful placement of the tiltmeter can minimize this need.

EL Beam Sensor
Beam sensors are similar to tiltmeters, except that the tilt sensor is mounted on a rigid beam with a defined gauge length, typically 1 to 2 meters long. Each end of the beam is anchored to the structure.

Advantages: The rigid beam makes it easy to convert changes in tilt to millimeters of movement (settlement, heave, convergence, or lateral displacement). Also, beam sensors can be linked end-to-end to monitor differential movements and provide absolute displacement and settlement profiles.

Limitations: Some applications require temperature corrections, although careful placement can minimize this need.

EL Track Monitor
EL track monitoring sensors monitor settlement and twist in railway tracks. This is a specialized application for tilt sensors.