CEE 398

Clinometers for Structural Engineering

Ping Gu University of Illinois

Outline:
Application and Classification  Optical Inclinometer  Mechanical Inclinometer  Electrical Inclinometer


Capacitive Accustar Inductive RVDT Resistive RPS and Applied Mechanicss tiltmeter


Special Issue: Clinometers for dynamic testing

RVDT Clino2000 Force Balance Inclinometers

Application and Classification



Application: Clinometers are also called inclinometers, tiltmeters.

the performance of structures under loads, such as curvature of beams and plates the effects of excavation and tunneling on existing structures the rotation of dams, piles, retaining walls, struts, anchors,pipelines road grading and paving pipeline leveling crane overturning-moment alarms

Classification
according to reference-system:
gravity referenced: angle w.r.t. vertical gravity vector locally referenced: angle w.r.t its housing

according to principle:
Optical Mechanical Electrical

Optical Inclinometer
    

360 degree range 1 sec reading, estimations to 0.2 use bubble Static only single reading

Mechanical Inclinometer


Coincidence Lever
bubble screw accuracy: 0.25 sec sigle reading by eye, static only pendulum gravity referenced accuracy: 1min 30 sec single reading by eye, static only

Pendulum Clinometer

Electrical Inclinometer


Capacitive:
AccuStar Clino2000

Inductive: RVDT Resistive:

RPS Applied Mechanicss tiltmeter

Other types, such as strain-gage transducers, force balance inclinometers

AccuStar
        

Size: 2.6 in diameter 1.2 in height Weight: 20 oz Total range: +/- 60 degree Linear range: +/- 45 degree Resolution: 0.001 degree Capacitor plate Linearity: +/- 0.1 degree in 10 in two halves etched to form two Temperature range: -30~65 C variable capacitors Output: digital pulse width; serial dielectric liquid and inert data; ratiometric; analog gas half-filled Price: $139

RVDT


Principal: similar to LVDT

two primary coils and two secondary coils wound symmetrically on a large-diameter insulated robbin magnetic cardioid-shaped rotor mutual inductance varies and produces an output } sin U

       

Range: 20 degree Linearity: 0.5% ~ 1.0% fsd Size: 38.1mm in diameter, 40mm in height Weight: 250g Supply voltage: 3V ac to 30V ac Can be used for dynamic testing Advantages and disadvantages: similar to LVDT (see my file Potentiometers) Locally referenced

RPS (Rotary Position Sensors)



Principal: similar to POT, except that the wires are wound on a cylindrically shaped core.

        

IT9101: magnetically-damped pendulum; conductive plastic film Range: 0-45 degree Resolution: essentially infinite Accuracy: 2.0% full stroke Size: 5 inches in diameter, 3.73 inches in thickness Weight: 11 lb Supply voltage: 30V AC or DC Can not be used for dynamic testing, but can withstand up to 10g to 2000Hz environmental shock with its added damping Advantages and disadvantages: similar to POT (see my file Potentiometers) Locally referenced

Applied Mechanicss tiltmeter

         

Resistive, gravity referenced Principle: Size: 2x2x0.64 inch Weight: 15 g Range: 25 Resolution: 0.01 microradians ($0.0006) Linearity: 1% over half span, 2.5% over full span Supply voltage: +8 to +24 VDC @7mA Analogue or digital outputs Measure rotation in two orthogonal vertical planes High damping of vibration, being used for dam and earthquake monitoring

Special Issue: Clinometers for Dynamic Testing

 

RVDT Clino 2000

Priciple: pendulum suspended by the Archimedes helical spring, between two electrodes pendulum swing, changing the capacity between the pendulum and the two electrodes RC-oscillator transforms capacities into different frequencies the ratio of the two frequencies available is used as the primary signal patent protected in most countries Price: $2760 Range: 45 temperature compensation Highest possible precision resolution depends on sampling time Max error in 24hr for 10 range: 0.055%FS+0.15% RO integrated DYNAM calculating and displaying static and dynamic inclinations

Special Issue: Clinometers for Dynamic Testing (continued)



Force Balance Inclinometers

Principle:

DC input Electronics Servo Amp DC output Damping

closed-loop torque or force balance servo system torsional flexure-supported moving mass servo system electronics torque motor feedback sensor Position sensor gravity-referenced

Mass

Torque motor

Lucas Control Systems

Ranges available: 1 to 90 Shock survival: 1500g Vibration endurance-sinusoidal: 50g Vibration endurance-random: 35g rms, 20 Hz to 2000 Hz Respond to changes in angle 0.1 sec or slope 0.000006 inch/foot Hysteresis less than 0.0005% of full range Many angular accelerometers are based on the same priciple.

Conclusion:
  

 

Optical Inclinometer Mechanical Inclinometer Electrical Inclinometer Capacitive Accustar Clino2000 Inductive RVDT Resistive RPS and Applied Mechanicss tiltmeter Other types: Force Balance Inclinometers Those underlined are suitable for dynamic testing Those bold-faced are locally referenced, others are gravity referenced.