RST Instruments ICTS0005, MEMS Portable Tilt Meter, MEMS Portable Tilt Meter Readout System Instruction Manual

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LTD.

RST Instruments Ltd.
11545 Kingston St.,
Maple Ridge, B.C. Canada V2X 0Z5
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MEMS Portable Tiltmeter

System Instruction Manual

Copyright ©2012 RST Instruments Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Model ICTS0005

i

MEMS Portable Tiltmeter System

Model ICTS0005

Although all efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information
contained in this document, RST Instrum ents res er ves the r ight t o change the information at any time and
assumes no liability for its accuracy.

Product: MEMS Portable Tiltmeter System Instruction Manual
Model ICTS0005

Document number: ICM0072A
Revision: A
Date: January 2, 2018

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ii

Table of Contents

1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................... 1

1.1 TILT MONUMENT .................................................................................................... 1

1.2 MEMS PORTABLE TILTMETER ................................................................................ 1

1.3 MEMS PORTABLE TILTMETER READOUT ................................................................. 1

2 TILTMETER MONUMENT INSTALLATION ................................................. 2

2.1 FRESH CONCRETE HORIZONTAL ............................................................................. 2

2.2 FRESH CONCRETE VERTICAL .................................................................................. 2

2.3 EXISTING CONCRETE ............................................................................................. 2

3 READING METHOD ......................................................................................... 3

4 DATA REDUCTION .......................................................................................... 4

5 CARE AND MAINTENANCE .......................................................................... 4

APPENDIX ............................................................................................................... 5

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: MEMS Portable Tiltmeter & MEMS Portable Tiltmeter Readout .................................. 1

Figure 2: Tilt Monument Plate .................................................................................................... 2

Figure 3: MEMS Portable Tiltmeter alignment bars .................................................................... 3

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1 INTRODUCTION

The Model ICTS0005 Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) Portable Tiltmeter System permits
the precise measurement of changes in tilt of engineering structures. The system consists of three
components, (1) individual Tiltmeter Monuments which are secured to the structure at points of
interest, (2) the MEMS Portable Tiltmeter which indexes the Tiltmeter Monuments in a repeatable
manner and senses the tilt via MEMS tilt sensor/s (uniaxial/biaxial), and (3) a field PC to display the
Tiltmeter data.

1.1 TILT MONUMENT

The Tilt Monuments are precision-machined stainless steel or brass plates with 4 indexing studs
located 90 degrees apart on a 100 mm diameter circle. Each stud is numbered from 1 to 4 (see
figure 2). The Tilt Monuments are fastened to the structure of interest by methods which depend on
the material of the structure. Both stainless steel and brass materials are resistant to corrosion in
many construction environments.

1.2 MEMS PORTABLE TILTMETER

The MEMS Portable Tiltmeter is a precision stainless steel instrument which can be indexed
precisely and in a repeatable manner on the Tiltmeter Monument. It can be fixed in 4 positions
which together permit the tilt of the instrument to be sensed along 2 orthogonal axes with normal and
reversed readings which permit cancellation of face error. The measurement is made via a MEMS
tilt sensor/s, which converts the tilt measurement to a highly precise analog signal.

1

1.3 MEMS PORTABLE TILTMETER READOUT

The Tiltmeter is typically read via a field PC. All Readouts are configured to display the data in
engineering units of (sine θ).

Figure 1: MEMS Portable Tiltmeter & MEMS Portable Tiltmeter Readout

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2 TILTMETER MONUMENT INSTALLATION

In order for the Tiltmeter installation to be successful, the Tiltmeter Monument must be rigidly
connected to the structure of interest, free of long-term adverse factors including corrosion, form
distortion, and impact damage.

2.1 FRESH CONCRETE HORIZONTAL

In a typical installation on new concrete, the following procedure is suggested:
After the concrete has been placed and leveled in the location of interest, work the Tiltmeter

Monument into the concrete until the top surface of the plate is level with the concrete surface, with
the diagonal stud pairs aligned with the desired measurement axes, ideally with the orientation of the
studs consistent across the entire site.

If desired, increased strength of placement may be achieved by fitting countersunk brass screws
through the mounting holes and tightening nuts on the back side, leaving 50 mm of threads exposed
below the Tiltmeter Monument.

Ensure that no concrete is permitted to remain on the top of the Tiltmeter Monument, especially on
the studs. If necessary, carefully clean the studs with a damp cloth. Ensure that the Tiltmeter
Monument is protected from damage during curing, form stripping, and subsequent operations.

2.2 FRESH CONCRETE VERTICAL

2

In order to avoid damage during form stripping, it is suggested that a separate form segment be built
in such a manner that the Tilt Monument is stripped separately. The separate form segment can be
drilled to suit the studs and greased to facilitate the stripping of the form and subsequent cleanup of
the Tiltmeter Monument. The separate form segment may ideally be recessed slightly below the
main vertical surface to give enhanced safety from damage.

The Tiltmeter Monument should be mounted with its face vertical and the axis from stud 1 to stud 3
vertical.

2.3 EXISTING CONCRETE

The Tiltmeter Monument may be attached to existing concrete using mechanical fasteners, using
grout, or a combination of methods. Mechanical fasteners require precise concrete drilling and/or a
central adapter plate. The effectiveness of grouts, either cement-type or chemical, is highly
dependent on the concrete condition, surface preparation, site conditions and other variables.

Figure 2: Tilt Monument Plate

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3 READING METHOD

Tilt data can be read by a field pc and will display in engineering units (sine θ). The reading will take
approximately 3 seconds to stabilize.

Data should be taken on standard horizontal installations for all 4 axes as follows:
Position the Tiltmeter on the Tiltmeter Monument so that two diagonally opposite studs (ie, stud 1 &

stud 3) are in contact with the long alignment bar, and one of the alternate studs (ie, stud 2) is in
contact with the short alignment bar (See Figure 4). Each position is named for the visible unused
stud (ie, stud 4). Repeat for all 4 positions.

For a Vertical Tiltmeter Monument, only 2 positions can be read on each end of the Tiltmeter, always
with the Tiltmeter approximately vertical.

3

Figure 3: MEMS Portable Tiltmeter alignment bars

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2

)

sinsin

(

)sin'

(sin'

sin

3

1

31

3

,1

θ

θθ

θ

θ

−

−

−

=∆

2

)sinsin()sin'(sin'

sin

4242

4,2

θθθθ

θ

−−−

=∆

4 DATA REDUCTION

The data is reduced by calculating the average change for an opposed pair of positions, i.e.:

4

and

where:

sin θ

= the raw initial data with stud 1 visible

1

sin θ

= the raw initial data with stud 2 visible

2

sin θ

= the raw initial data with stud 3 visible

3

sin θ

= the raw initial data with stud 4 visible

4

sin' θ

= the raw new data with stud 1 visible

1

sin' θ

= the raw new data with stud 2 visible

2

sin' θ

= the raw new data with stud 3 visible

3

sin' θ

= the raw new data with stud 4 visible

4

5 CARE AND MAINTENANCE

The Tiltmeter should be treated gently like any precision instrument. In particular, care should be
taken to avoid any bumps or impact, both to protect the MEMS tilt sensor and to avoid denting or
distorting the machine plates and alignment bars. Any dust or grit on the Tiltmeter Monuments
should be carefully wiped off with a damp cloth prior to readings to avoid scratches on the Tiltmeter
Monument or base plate.

The connectors should be kept clean and dry to avoid electrical errors.
A reference Tiltmeter Monument should be maintained in a convenient, stable location to permit the

instrument to be regularly checked.

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APPENDIX

5

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