What One Should Know About A Slope Indicator

Angles of depression, elevation, and slope with respect to gravitational force are measured used special pieces of equipment called slope indicators. Other names for a slope indicator are tilt meter, slope gauge, level gauge, level meter, gradient meter, declinometer, and gradiometer among others. Currently, the number of declinometers on the market has increased a lot. This gives buyers a variety of gadgets to pick from according to their needs.

Inclinometers are used for measuring both positive and negative slopes. Positive slopes are usually measured by the observer looking at an object upwards. On the other hand, negative slopes are measured with the observer looking down on the object. Three main units of measurements are used in most inclinometers, that is, topo, degrees, and percent. The kind of inclinometers that were in use during the years of Renaissance are referred to as Astrolabes.

The Renaissance was the period in which astrolabes were used widely. They helped in navigation and identification of astronomical objects. Better technology allowed better gadgets to be produced leading to a decline in the use of astrolabes. Tilt meters in use today are very sophisticated and functional. Turn coordinators, which are incorporated in most aircrafts are sometimes called tilt gauges.

Application of technology in these devices has led to achievement of high levels of accuracy. Modern electronic level meters have sensors that allow them to reach an output resolution of up to 0.0001 degrees. The accuracy is dependent on such factors as angle range and technology used. Some lower level technologies can only achieve accuracies of 0.01 degrees. Absolute accuracy of sensors is usually a result of a combination of factors including hysteresis, sensor linearity, repeatability, zero offset, sensitivity, and temperature.

There is a lot of variance in the accuracy of electronic level meters. The variance is often dependent on the situation and the model of the device in use. The range within which accuracy usually falls is 0.01 degrees to negative or positive two degrees. Accuracy remains within the linearity specifications of a sensor under room ambient conditions.

There are many applications in which level gauges find use. Typically, they are used by engineering in the monitoring of subsurface deformations and movements. They come in handy in detecting zones of movement for the purpose of establishing consistency or acceleration in movement. During and after impoundments, the gadgets verify upstream slopes, dam abutments, and stability of dams.

Inclinometer measurement systems and inclinometer casings are the two main components that all modern inclinometers contain. Casings are for providing access for taking subsurface measurements. They come with grooves to control orientation of the sensor inside the gadget and to provide a uniform surface for one to take measurements. Casings could be cast into concrete, embedded in fill, buried in trenches, attached to structures, or installed in boreholes.

There are two types of inclinometers, that is, portable measurement systems and in-place measurement systems. Like suggested in the names, the former can be carried from place to place to take measurements while the latter is usually installed permanently in a place. In-place measurement systems are needed when there is need for continuous monitoring for safety or construction control.