Dam Monitoring With Tiltmeters
A tiltmeter is an instrument that measures rotation of the structural element to which it is attached. For gravity and most buttress dams, tilt measurements provide a way to monitor stability against overturning and differential foundation settlement. Tilt can be expected to be a function of reservoir level and uplift pressure. However, for arch dams, tilt is primarily a function of temperature. In either case, tilt should be repeatable from season to season. Any trend toward increasing tilt indicates some form of foundation instability.