sensors

VW Tilt Meter

High-stability vibrating wire tilt sensor designed for long-term monitoring of rotation in massive concrete structures.

Range
±10°, ±15°
Accuracy
±0.1% F.S.
Resolution
0.02% F.S. (approx. 8 arc sec)

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Overview

High-stability vibrating wire tilt sensor designed for long-term monitoring of rotation in massive concrete structures.

The Geolook Vibrating Wire (VW) Tilt Meter is a high-precision instrument designed for the long-term monitoring of rotation and inclination in structures. While MEMS sensors are excellent for many applications, the VW Tilt Meter is the preferred choice for massive civil engineering projects—like dams and nuclear containment vessels—where extreme long-term stability and immunity to electrical noise are paramount. The sensor consists of a sensitive pendulum mechanism coupled to a vibrating wire transducer. As the structure tilts, the internal pendulum shifts, changing the tension in the wire. This change is recorded as a frequency signal, providing a drift-free measurement of angular movement over decades of service life.

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Benefits & Features

  • Superior long-term stability with negligible zero-drift
  • Frequency signal immune to electromagnetic interference
  • Capable of transmitting signals over cables exceeding 2km
  • Hermetically sealed stainless steel housing (IP68)
  • Integrated thermistor for temperature compensation
  • High resolution (up to 0.1 arc seconds)
  • Available in uniaxial and biaxial configurations

Detailed Description

Vibrating Wire vs. MEMS Tilt Meters

When selecting a tilt meter, the primary consideration is the 'Monitoring Duration'. MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) sensors are fantastic for construction control and shorter projects because they are compact and low-cost.

However, for critical infrastructure with a 50 to 100-year design life (like a hydroelectric dam), the G76-V950 Vibrating Wire Tilt Meter is superior. Its purely mechanical-to-frequency conversion has almost zero 'electronic drift,' ensuring that a change in reading five years from now actually represents structural movement, not sensor aging.

The Pendulum Principle

Inside the sensor body, a weighted pendulum is suspended. When the structure rotates, the body moves but the pendulum seeks to remain vertical due to gravity. This relative movement changes the tension of a high-strength steel wire.

The resonant frequency of this wire is directly proportional to the tilt angle. Because the measurement is frequency-based, it is not affected by changes in cable resistance or voltage drops, which is essential for sensors located deep inside a dam gallery or at the top of a bridge pylon.

Thermal Stability & Compensation

Large structures undergo significant thermal expansion and contraction. The G76-V950 includes an internal thermistor to measure the temperature at the sensor location.

This allows engineers to apply correction factors to the tilt data, distinguishing between 'seasonal tilt' (caused by the sun warming one side of a pylon) and 'structural tilt' (caused by foundation movement or loading).

Installation & Mounting

The sensor is typically mounted to a precision-machined vertical or horizontal bracket that is bolted directly to the structure. For biaxial monitoring (X and Y directions), two sensors are mounted orthogonally on a single specialized bracket.

The rugged 316L stainless steel housing is designed to survive in the damp, high-humidity environments common in dam galleries and inspection tunnels without corroding.

Available Models

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Specifications

Range
±10°, ±15°
Accuracy
±0.1% F.S.
Resolution
0.02% F.S. (approx. 8 arc sec)
Sensor Type
Vibrating Wire Pendulum
Material
High-grade Stainless Steel
Operating Temp
-20°C to +80°C
Protection
IP68 (to 1.5 MPa)