Development of capacitance displacement monitoring system and its performance tests

Abstract

Geological disasters caused by slope instability frequently result in great loss to human life and property, and real-time and on-line slope monitoring is a most effective method for mastering the deformation dynamics and early warning of landslide disasters. Considering the numerous landslides and high cost of slope monitoring system, three types of capacitance displacement transducer based on the principle of electrostatic capacitance were designed. Basic performance and long-term stability performance of these capacitors were examined, and the impact of temperature behavior on the capacitance measurement circuit was evaluated. The results showed that, comparing with conventional displacement transducers used for slope monitoring, capacitance type transducers can provide sufficient precision, resolution and measurement range, and applying them in slope monitoring could bring obvious advantages, because of its remarkable economic benefit and effectiveness.