Laboratory Calibration and Field Performance of Inclinometers

The state of the art in the use of inclinometers in engineering is reviewed briefly. Use of inclinometers in structures such as earth and rockfill dams, embankments, piles, behind retaining walls, etc., can be instrumental in detecting conditions leading to both short-term catastrophic failure and long-term progressive failure.

The types of inclinometer systems in general use are discussed. Field data acquisition procedures are described as well as necessary considerations in the interpretation of the data. Among the considerations are instrument drift, calibration, cross-sensitivity, and casing spiral. A laboratory device is described which is capable of checking the calibration of inclinometers, the effect of drift on instrument output, and the effect of cross sensitivity on measured angles. Results of the laboratory evaluation of two inclinometer systems are presented.