What is an Inclinometer?
An inclinometer or clinometer is an instrument used for measuring angles of slope (or tilt), elevation, or depression of an object with respect to gravity's direction.
An inclinometer is used to monitor subsurface movements and deformations. Typical applications for inclinometers include:

• Detecting zones of movement and establishing whether movement is constant, accelerating, or responding to remedial measures.
• Checking that deformations are within design limits, that struts and anchors are performing as expected, and that adjacent buildings are not affected by ground movements.
• Verifying stability of dams, dam abutments, and upstream slopes during and after impoundment.
• Monitoring settlement profiles of embankments, foundations, and other structures (horizontal inclinometer).

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​Inclinometer casings provide access for subsurface measurements. Grooves inside the casing control the orientation of the sensor and provide a uniform surface for measurements. It is usually installed in a borehole and can also be embedded in fill, buried in a trench (horizontal inclinometers), cast into concrete, or attached to a structure.
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​Portable measurement systems include a probe, cable, and readout. Portable systems are economical because they can be carried from site to site. They are accurate because the entire length of the casing is measured twice in each survey. The first survey establishes the initial profile of the casing. Subsequent surveys are compared to the initial. Changes in the profile indicate that movement has occurred.
In-place measurement systems are installed when continuous monitoring is required for construction control or safety. The in-place inclinometer (IPI) system consists of one or more dedicated sensors connected to a data logger. The sensors are positioned to span the zones where deformation is likely to occur. In-place systems generate even more data than portable systems, and often the data must be processed and distributed immediately.