Application
EL tiltmeters are used to monitor changes in the inclination of a structure. They can provide an accurate history of movement and early warning of potential structural damage. Applications for tiltmeters include:
- Monitoring the rotation of retaining walls, piers, and piles.
- Monitoring the behavior of structures under load.
- Documenting effects of nearby excavations and providing early warning of potential damage.
Narrow-Angle EL Tiltmeter
Operation
An EL tiltmeter consists of an electrolytic tilt sensor housed in a compact, weatherproof enclosure. The tilt sensor is a precision bubble-level that is sensed electrically as a resistance bridge. The bridge circuit outputs a voltage proportional to the tilt of the sensor.
When the tiltmeter is read manually, changes in inclination are found by comparing the current reading to the initial reading. EL tiltmeters may also be connected to a data logger, which can obtain frequent readings, perform calculations, and trigger alarms if tilt or the rate of change exceeds preset limits.
Wide-Angle MonoPod Tiltmeter
EL Tiltmeter - Narrow-Angle
The EL tiltmeter is a uniaxial tiltmeter. It measures tilt over a range of +/- 40 arc minutes and can detect changes as small as one arc second (0.00028 degree).
The EL tiltmeter is fixed to the structure with a single anchor. A 360 degree rotating mounting bracket allows the tiltmeter to mounted to floors, wall, and ceilings.
The EL tiltmeter has a very narrow range, so it is necessary to "null" the sensor at installation time. This provides the maximum measurement range and also takes advantage of the sensor's best characteristics. The EL Nulling Device or the EL Data Recorder are convenient tools for the nulling operation.
EL MonoPod Tiltmeter - Wide-Angle
The EL MonoPod tiltmeter is available in uniaxial or biaxial versions. It measures tilt over a range of +/- 10 degrees and can detect changes as small as 0.0024 degree.
The tiltmeter is fixed to the structure by a single anchor. A swivel allows adjustment up to 17 degrees.
