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FIG. 2 Typical Components of Method B Inclinometer Systems

Sand placed by tremie often results in open voids as the sand bridges free to turn and has the wire in place. Take precautions at all
between the casing and borehole walls. In addition, the sand may settle times during installation to keep the wire clean.
resulting in drag on the casing that may deform or damage the casing.
6.2 Installation on The Ground Surface of Horizontal Cas- NOTE 4—A practical limit for installing horizontal casing is about 100
ing: m. Beyond 100 m cable friction makes it difficult to pull the inclinometer
probe through the casing. Special TFE-fluorocarbon inserts on the cable
6.2.1 Select casing materials that are compatible with the alleviate the problem to some degree.
environmental conditions at the installation. Select casing size
consistent with the specific measurement requirements and 6.2.2 Create a level surface over the length where the casing
conditions for the job. Store casing materials in a safe, secure is to be installed. Cover with a bed of at least 50 mm (2 in.)
place to prevent damage. Sunlight may damage plastic casing. deep and 300 mm (12 in.) wide of clean sand, pea gravel or a
High and low pH may damage metal casing. Note that a special lean grout.
probe is required for horizontal casing. If one end of the casing 6.2.3 Assemble all components required for the casing,
is to be buried then the end cap contains a pulley to carry a wire including casing couplings, and end cap. Examine each com-
that is used to pull the probe into the inclinometer casing. Take ponent for defects. Do not use defective components since they
special care to ensure that the pulley is correctly assembled, may later cause problems with readings that are difficult to

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 D6230 − 21´1
diagnose and impossible to correct. Keep all components clean 6.4.1 Insert the probe into the casing oriented in the refer-
and free of foreign matter during assembly. Follow the manu- ence direction (that is, the ‘X’ direction) to the bottom of a
facturer’s instructions for assembly of the casing. If required vertical or inclined casing or to the far end of a horizontal
use sealing mastic and tape to seal all couplings to prevent later casing. Allow probe to equilibrate to ambient temperature in
flow of soil particles into the casing. This is especially the casing for at least 10 minutes. Complete a measurement
important when using grout to seal the casing in the bed. traverse by holding the probe stationary at each depth interval
Exercise care to keep the casing grooves free of obstructions. and recording depth and reading. Recommended practice is to
When assembling couplings, use procedures to prevent spiral- use a reading interval equal to the wheel spacing on the probe.
ing of the casing grooves. Twist adjacent couplings in alternate After each reading, raise the probe by the reading interval and
directions before fixing to minimize spiraling. Examine the take the next set of readings. Repeat the procedure to the top of
casing during assembly to confirm that spiraling is not occur- the casing to complete the traverse. Remove the probe from the
ring. casing, rotate it 180° (that is, the X' direction), and lower it to
6.2.4 Place the casing onto the bed and adjust its position the bottom of the casing. Start readings for this traverse from
until it is within the tolerances required by the readout device. the same depth as the first traverse and make each reading at
For grooved casings, one set of grooves shall be aligned the same depth as the first traverse. For biaxial probes, two
vertically (in line with the force of gravity). This orientation is traverses complete the set of readings. For uniaxial probes, two
commonly referred to as the X direction. Visually check for more traverses must be made for the Y direction the same way
and remove any spiraling. Determine that the pull cable is in as for the X direction.
position and moves freely through the inclinometer casing. 6.4.2 Check the set of readings by summing the readings for
6.2.5 Use hand tools or light construction equipment to the X and X' directions at each depth and the readings for the
place clean sand, pea gravel or lean grout evenly, at least 150 Y and Y' direction. These sums are called check-sums and
mm (6 in.) wide, on both sides of the casing. Cover the should equal a constant low value that is a characteristic of the
inclinometer casing with at least 50 mm (2 in.) of clean sand, probe and casing installation. Refer to the manufacturer’s
pea gravel or lean grout. Place fill over casing in 150 mm (6 literature for information on allowable variation in the check-
in.) lifts. Fill for the first lift shall not contain any particles sum. A single deviation in a check-sum probably indicates a
larger than 25 mm (1 in.). If compaction is required, use hand bad reading. Erratic behavior of the check-sums generally
compactors for the first two lifts. indicates a poor electrical connection or a malfunctioning
6.3 Equipment Verification: probe or readout or inaccurate depth positioning of the probe.
6.3.1 Inclinometers are factory calibrated and supplied with 6.4.3 Initial Readings:
a calibration factor, K, that is specific to the probe and the 6.4.3.1 Make initial observations after allowing sufficient
readout unit. Some manufacturers provide standardized read- time for the grout around the casing to set, for the backfill to
out units that can be used with multiple probes. However, note stabilize or prior to applying load to the structure. Since
that electronic variations in the readout equipment may cause computation of all displacements is based on the initial
conditions where different probes will give different readings. readings, it is important to have a valid set. Verify the initial set
It is recommended that a verification check be performed any of readings with at least two sets of readings, taken on the same
time a probe and readout unit combination is changed. For day. Check these readings for stability of the check-sums and
applications involving small but important changes over sev- for displacement within the accuracy of the equipment. Repeat
eral years, recalibrate the instrument to the precision of the observations until satisfactory agreement is obtained. From all
device at least every two years. Note that a special probe may initial readings taken, one set shall be selected for use as the
be required for non-vertical boreholes. reference set for all subsequent readings. Do not average initial
6.3.2 Perform a verification check before each set of incli- readings so as not to include any non-repeatable data. Compare
nometer readings. in accordance with manufacturer’s recom- data sets to ensure the system is stable, then use one set
mendations or Practice D7299. Verification checks on vertical (usually the last set of readings taken) as the initial reading.
casing can indicate malfunctioning equipment but cannot Take readings on any spiral with a spiral sensor if corrections
provide an accurate calibration. for twist are desired, or if there is potential for twist in the
6.3.3 Perform a verification check by assembling the probe, casing of sufficient magnitude to affect the computed displace-
cable and readout equipment. Position the probe in the test ments of the casing.
stand or casing, allow it to equilibrate to ambient temperature 6.4.3.2 The top position (x, y, and z) of the inclinometer
for at least 10 min and then take a reading. Remove the probe, casing must be located by survey at the same time initial
rotate 90°, reinsert, and take a reading. This operation is readings are made by survey to the accuracy of the inclinom-
repeated to obtain readings at 180° and 270°. Consult the eter readings. Later changes in the top position of the casing
manufacturer’s instructions to determine if your readings are can be used to check the inclinometer readings or to correct for
within the recommended ranges for the equipment. Any movement of the bottom of the inclinometer casing.
obvious malfunctioning of the equipment, such as drift in the 6.4.4 Observations:
reading with time or inability to reproduce a reading shall be 6.4.4.1 The frequency of observations depends upon the rate
corrected before using the instrument. of movement and the allowable movements. Some installations
6.4 Measurement Method A—Traveling-probe Inclinom- may require several readings per day. Others may require a few
eter: readings per year. In uncertain conditions, read inclinometer

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casings frequently just after installation and use the results to where: L is the reading interval and K is the instrument
adjust the interval of subsequent observations. Observations constant. K is supplied by the manufacturer and determined by
shall coincide with the observations of other instrumentation, factory calibration.
such as extensometers, piezometers, settlement devices, or
movement surveys. NOTE 5—Often the gauge length of the sensor’s wheels is taken as the
reading interval.
6.4.4.2 The same procedure outlined for taking initial read-
ings is used to take observations. It is essential to take readings 7.1.1 If using Method “A,” average the readings in opposite
at the same depths as used for the initial readings. It is directions (180° apart) to compute the incremental casing
generally desirable to use the same equipment, people and deflection at each depth:
procedures for the same inclinometers to reduce systematic
L ~ R X 2 R X '! L ~ R Y 2 R Y '!
error. The check-sum shall be examined after completing the d X2X ' 5 d Y2Y ' 5 (2)
K 2 K 2
readings for each inclinometer and repeat readings taken if any
data are in question. Other data to be recorded with the initial dX–X' is the computed incremental casing deflection at one
readings include: ground surface elevation, date of installation, depth in direction X–X', dY–Y' is the computed incremental
date of initial reading and elevation of bottom of casing. casing deflection at one depth in direction Y–Y'.
6.4.5 Maintenance: 7.1.2 Compute the position of the casing at any depth n, Dn,
6.4.5.1 Check the wheel fixtures, bearings and springs as the sum of the incremental casing deflections from the end
frequently. Tighten and replace as necessary. Clean and lubri- of the casing to that depth, or:
cate guide wheels as recommended by manufacturer. For n n
horizontal inclinometers using a pull wire, use a cloth to keep
the pull wire clean at all times. Check the water seals on the
D n X2X 5
' (
i51
d i X2X ' D n Y2Y 5 ' (d
i51
i Y2Y ' (3)

electrical connections and replace as they become worn. Keep Eq 3 assumes that the reference point is at the bottom of the
all electrical connections clean and dry. On probes using
casing.
batteries, check the connections and charge as necessary.
Consult the manufacturer’s literature for instructions for main- 7.1.3 Use Eq 3 with the initial set of readings to find the
tenance operations and precautions, especially for removal of initial position of the inclinometer casing (see 6.4.3 for
the battery if the device is not to be used for the next month. It acquisition of initial reading).
is important to minimize dirt entering the casing, as it may 7.1.4 Use Eq 3 with any subsequent set of readings to find
accumulate in the casing grooves. It may become necessary to the new position of the inclinometer casing at the time of the
flush the inclinometer casing with water and use a large bottle readings.
brush to clean the grooves. 7.1.5 Use Eq 4 to compute the displacement of the casing
6.5 Measurement Method B—Fixed-array Inclinometer: ∆Dn between two times as the difference in position of the
6.5.1 Follow manufacturer’s recommendations on assembly casing for those two times. It is usual practice for the readings
and installation of inclinometer array. Depending on the type at t=t0 to be the initial set of readings.
and length of the inclinometer array, due to the weight of a n n

completed assembly, use a safety cable connected to the ∆D n X2X 5 ' (

i51
d ~ t ! i X2X 2
' ( d~t !
i51
0 i X2X ' (4)
bottom of the array to assist in lowering and retrieving the
n n
array.
6.5.2 The theory of operation, data logging and analysis of
∆D n Y2Y 5 ' ( d~t!
i51
i Y2Y '
2 ( d~t !
i51
0 i Y2Y '

an array of in-place inclinometers follows the general proce-

dures for an individual inclinometer as outlined in 6.4 and 7.1.6 If L and K are constant and the same for all sets of
Sections 7 and 8, with the exception that the instruments are readings, Eq 4 can be simplified to Eq 5.
left in place and do not move between observations. Often, the
instrument array is read in only one orientation and not pivoted ∆D n X2X 5 '
L
2K F(~
n

i51
R X ~ t ! 2 R X '~ t ! ! 2
i51
n

( ~R ~t ! 2 R
X 0 X' G
~ t 0 ! ! (5)
180°, so the check-sum procedure would not be followed. The
spacing between adjacent instruments L is typically constant
for the entire array, but is not mandated to be so. Note the
∆D n Y2Y 5
'
L
2K F(~
n

i51
R Y ~ t ! 2 R Y '~ t ! ! 2
i51
n

( ~R ~t ! 2 R
Y 0 Y' ~ !! G
t0

spacing between every level of instruments for use in Eq 1 to 7.2 Corrections for Twist (Spiraling)—Computations of dis-
Eq 6 below.
placement must be corrected for twist where the inclinometer
casing grooves are suspected to spiral. These corrections
7. Calculation
require readings of twist at each depth that inclinometer
7.1 General—The numerical readings (RX, RY, RX', RY') are readings are taken. Usually, a separate probe is required to read
proportional to the deflection of the casing from the instru- twist. Readings are normally taken at the same time as initial
ment’s reference Z-direction (that is, vertical or horizontal). readings.
The casing deflection, d, equals: Assuming twist is measured at each depth of deflection
L readings as the angle θi, the readings in the X–X' and Y–Y'
d5 R (1)
K directions are:

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∆D i g 5 =~ ∆D ! 1 ~ ∆D ! 2 2
∆D i X2X 5 ∆D i g cot~ φ i 1 θ i ! serial numbers), orientation of reading directions, date of
i X2X ' i Y2Y ' '

reading and date of initial reading on the report. Before these

(6)
reports are created, the user shall use diagnostic plots (Profile,

φ i 5 tan21 S ∆D i Y2Y
∆D i X2X
'

'
D ∆D i Y2Y 5 ∆D i g tan~ φ i 2 θ i !
'
Incremental or Tilt, Tilt Change and checksums) to assure that
the inclinometer surveys are of good quality and acceptable.
8.2 In specific cases the user may choose to use the
where the angle of twist θi is positive in the clockwise diagnostic plots as part of the report if these plots have a point
direction. to make. For example, the incremental or tilt plot shows more
7.3 Adjustments for Surveyed Displacement—In some cases effectively the elevation of a movement especially if there are
the inclinometer casing cannot be practically installed into a more than one shear plane in the section crossed by the
fixed stratum. If the absolute displacements are required, then inclinometer pipe (see Fig. 6). The report shall also include an
the position of one point on the casing must be determined by electronic file with the inclinometer survey raw data in case
survey each time inclinometer readings are taken. This section further analysis is needed.
assumes that the position of the top of the casing is determined NOTE 6—The historical axis naming convention for this standard is
by survey. From the survey determine the displacement in A–A' and B–B'; however, because this standard now presents two test
direction X–X' (∆DsX–X') and Y–Y' (∆DsY–Y') since the initial methods, Method A and Method B, the committee has adopted the more
readings. These values are added to the displacements deter- traditional X–Y axis naming convention. Please note that commonly
mined in Eq 6 to find the total displacements of the inclinom- available data acquisition and reporting software used within the industry
may reflect use of A–A' and B–B' in place of the X–X' and Y–Y' axes,
eter casing. respectively.

8. Report: Test Data Form 9. Precision and Bias

8.1 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the 9.1 Precision—Test data on precision is not presented due to
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in the nature of this standard. It is either not feasible or too costly
Practice D6026. Report the results as a tabulation of displace- at this time to have ten or more agencies participate in an in situ
ment versus depth (see Fig. 3) and a plot of displacements testing program at a given site.
versus depth (see Fig. 4) at various times and for both 9.1.1 Subcommittee D18.23 is seeking any data from the
directions. If movement exists, a report of displacement at users of this standard that might be used to make a limited
specific depth versus time is recommended (see Fig. 5). Even statement on precision.
in situations where movement in the Y–Y' direction may be 9.2 Bias—There is no accepted reference value for this
small or considered to be of no interest, these data are useful to standard, therefore, bias cannot be determined.
indicate a malfunctioning instrument or defective casing or the
occurrence of unexpected movements. Include the inclinom- 10. Keywords
eter number, project name, names of the personnel performing 10.1 deformations; field instrumentation; horizontal move-
the testing and the equipment used (for example, make, model, ment; inclinometer

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