Geokon 6165, Installation Instructions Manual

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1. INTRODUCTION
Geokon’s Model 6165 MEMS Tilt Beams are designed to be attached to structures, either
vertically or horizontally, to measure any tilting or differential settlements that may occur. The
tilt beams can be coupled together, in long horizontal strings, to measure differential settlement
along embankments, railroad tracks, pipelines, tunnels, etc. They can also be used in vertical
strings to measure the horizontal deformation of retaining walls, sheet piling, etc.
Each tilt beam contains a Micro-Electro-Mechanical-System (MEMS) sensor, which offers high
sensitivity and accuracy over a range of ±15 degrees. MEMS tilt sensors have very good long-
term stability, are virtually immune to shock loading, and have very low thermal coefficients.
They are readily adaptable to automation and remote monitoring for profiling in real-time. The
included signal conditioning yields a sensor output of ±3 volts at ±10 degrees and is designed to
drive long cables without output signal degradation.
The MEMS sensor is mounted inside a fiberglass, aluminum, or anodized aluminum channel
equipped with lugs for mounting to the structure under study. The beams are bolted to the
structure using the supplied hardware, which includes two 3/8" expansion anchors. A thermistor
mounted inside the sensor housing permits the measurement of temperatures. Readout of the tilt
beams is accomplished by using a Geokon Model RB-500 Readout, or 8600 Series Datalogger.
Figure 1 - Model 6165 MEMS Tilt Beam