Introduction: Next Industries’ borehole inclinometers
When it comes to monitoring the stability of slopes, embankments, or deep excavations, understanding what happens beneath the surface is essential. While surface-level observations can reveal visible signs of instability, the real story often unfolds deeper underground. This is where borehole inclinometer come into play—and Next Industries offers one of the most advanced and reliable solutions on the market.
What are borehole inclinometers?
A borehole inclinometer is a geotechnical instrument designed to track horizontal ground movements with exceptional accuracy. These movements might signal the onset of a landslide, deformation in retaining structures, or shifts in surrounding soil during excavation. The system consists of a grooved inclinometer casing embedded in the ground and a high-precision probe that is inserted periodically or used in automated systems to measure changes in angle over time and depth.
The probe, equipped with bi-axial MEMS tilt sensors, travels down the casing, aligning precisely with its grooves. It records angular deviations from the vertical, which are then translated into lateral displacements. Over time, engineers can map how and where the ground is shifting.
How the Next Industries system works
Next Industries’ borehole inclinometers are designed to withstand the harshest environmental conditions. Built with corrosion-resistant stainless steel (AISI 316) and rugged electronic components, they maintain precision even under extreme temperature fluctuations and high-moisture environments.
The inclinometer system starts with a grouted tube installed in a pre-drilled borehole. The probe is lowered into the tube either manually or through automated systems. At predefined depth intervals, it measures inclination in two perpendicular directions, enabling 3D interpretation of ground movement. The recorded data is then stored via dataloggers or transmitted in real time to a central acquisition unit for ongoing analysis.
This continuous monitoring process allows professionals to identify the depth, magnitude, direction, and rate of movement, enabling them to respond proactively before structural damage or safety issues occur.
Real-world applications of borehole inclinometer
Borehole inclinometers are indispensable in several sectors:
- Landslide-prone areas, where tracking the shear surface is critical for prevention and emergency planning.
- Hydraulic structures, such as dikes and levees, which require long-term stability verification.
- Deep excavations, where monitoring lateral ground pressure helps prevent collapses.
- Retaining walls and anchoring systems, where monitoring is essential to confirm post-construction stability.
- Tunnels and underground works, where shifts in surrounding soil can endanger the entire operation.
Why choose Next Industries?
What sets Next Industries apart is a combination of technical precision and operational resilience. The system is modular, making it adaptable for various site conditions and depths. Sensors are highly sensitive, detecting changes as small as 0.001°, allowing for micro-movement tracking. The stainless-steel structure ensures long-term durability, even in aggressive soil environments.
Moreover, Next Industries’ borehole inclinometers integrate seamlessly into remote monitoring platforms, enabling automatic alerts, continuous data flow, and real-time decision-making—crucial in geotechnical risk zones.
Conclusion
Whether you are stabilizing a hillside, managing infrastructure near a fault line, or monitoring an urban excavation project, borehole inclinometers are essential tools for ground truth—literally and figuratively. Next Industries delivers a monitoring solution that’s not only robust and accurate but also built for the challenges of modern geotechnical engineering.
Explore Next Industries’ solutions
Next Industries specializes in designing and delivering cutting-edge monitoring solutions tailored to geotechnical and environmental needs. Our systems ensure real-time data acquisition, cloud integration, and actionable insights—making prevention not just possible, but practical.
To learn more about our cutting-edge monitoring systems, designed to optimize your operation contact us at: info@nextind.eu