A tiltmeter detects inclination in structures using an air bubble in a liquid-filled tube and sensitive electronics. It can issue alarms or transmit data and is used in construction, civil engineering, and studying volcanoes. Modern versions use direct observation or electronics to monitor movement. Tiltmeters are used to monitor buildings, civil engineering projects, dams, and volcanoes. They can also determine the amount of shift in land features after landslides and earthquakes.
A tiltmeter is a type of instrument used to detect any type of inclination in the structure to which it is attached. Most tiltmeters use an air bubble in a liquid-filled tube, much like a typical carpenter’s level, but feature sensitive electronics that can detect even the smallest change in tilt. They issue an alarm or transmit data to a remote monitor or other device. These tools have a variety of uses from construction to studying volcanoes. In the past, a tiltmeter was sometimes called an inclinometer, although this term is rarely used today.
With numerous uses in a variety of construction and civil engineering applications, the demand for these tools has allowed them to evolve along with technology. The first tiltmeter was nothing more than a very long pendulum. If the structure or the ground on which it was placed was inclined, the pendulum would indicate movement. However, these instruments were susceptible to false alarms due to drafts. A second type of tiltmeter consisted of two identical containers connected by a long tube. The entire assembly has been partially filled with water and any tilt can be detected by measuring the water levels in each container.
Modern versions of the tiltmeter use direct observation or electronics to monitor the movement of an air bubble in a liquid. As the tiltmeter is moved, the bubble changes position and the electrodes can register the change, or the bubble can be likened to a visible indicator. This data can be recorded for subsequent studies, either internally or remotely via transmission, or monitored in real time. Some modern tiltmeters are very sensitive and can detect a tilt change of as little as 1 arc second. An arcsecond is a measure of an angle equivalent to 1/3,600 of 1 degree.
The most common uses of a tiltmeter are to monitor buildings for tilt due to aftershocks, earthquakes, or nearby construction activity. They are sometimes used for civil engineering projects to make sure a tunnel or other structure maintains a level course during construction or repairs. Dams are often monitored with a tiltmeter to see if they move or shift as the pressure of the water behind them increases. Geologists often use tiltmeters to monitor conditions near volcanoes, as strategically placed tiltmeters can help predict when a volcano might erupt by recording changes in the surface that can indicate a buildup of magma, for example. A tiltmeter can also help determine the amount of shift in land features after landslides and earthquakes.
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