Hydropower dam Ectopic tilt Security Inspection Solution

One . Industry Status Quo

As critical national infrastructure, hydraulic dams have long faced safety risks such as dam‑body tilting, abnormal water levels, and seepage hazards. Conventional monitoring methods struggle to capture in real time the subtle changes in dam‑body inclination and the fine‑grained fluctuations of water levels.

Especially under extreme operating conditions such as heavy rainfall and flood discharge, manual inspections are both high-risk and inefficient. This solution achieves integration by… Three-axis high-precision inclinometer and Millimeter-wave radar level gauge ，

Combine AI Algorithms and multimodal transmission technologies enable millimeter‑level, real‑time monitoring of dam‑body tilt, water level, seepage flow, and other parameters, providing a round‑the‑clock, multidimensional intelligent protection system for hydraulic engineering projects.

Two . Safety Monitoring system

2.1 Overall System Functions

This system centers on an inclinometer and a millimeter-wave radar level gauge, integrating multi-source sensors, edge computing, and an intelligent cloud platform to accurately monitor the structural health of dams.

Inclinometer: Measures the horizontal alignment of the dam in real time. /Vertical inclination angle, with an accuracy of ±0.001°, capable of detecting minute changes such as dam foundation settlement and slope displacement.

Millimeter-wave radar level gauge: non-contact measurement of water levels in reservoir areas, measurement range 0–100 m, accuracy ±1 mm, resistant to rain and snow interference, suitable for complex meteorological conditions.

Intelligent Early-Warning Platform: Based on Tilt Angle - Water-level correlation model for predicting dam‑body instability risks and triggering tiered alarms.

The following This is the block diagram of the system:

      

 

2.2 Core Equipment Deployment

Inclinometer Deployment Plan

Monitoring locations:

The dam crest–dam foundation interface, the spillway gate support structure, and the slope anchorage zone.

Geological fault zones and areas of historical deformation.

 

Installation method:

Embedded base: Secured with a stainless steel bracket, seismic resistance rating Level 8 or higher.

Dual-axis /Three-axis configuration: Simultaneously monitors tilt along the X, Y, and Z axes and supports dynamic calibration.

 

Millimeter-Wave Radar Level Gauge Deployment Plan

Installation location:

The area near the dam, the upstream section of the spillway, and the outlet of the diversion tunnel.

Areas sensitive to abrupt water level changes (e.g., the gate opening/closing section).

 

Technical Advantages:

80 GHz high-frequency millimeter wave: boasts strong penetration through rain and fog, with measurement accuracy unaffected by surface water fluctuations.

Adaptive algorithm: automatically filters out floating-object interference and outputs stable water-level data.

Communication link:

LoRaWAN backhaul: Low-power wide-area coverage, supporting ultra-long-range transmission up to 10 km.

 

 

 

 

2.3 Wireless Transmission and Cloud Platform

Cloud platform

 

 

Data Transmission Technology

Inclinometer data: via LoRa/4G Dual-mode transmission with automatic offline caching ensures zero loss of high-priority tilt data.

Millimeter-wave radar data: fiber optic +5G Redundant links ensure the real-time performance and continuity of water-level data.

 

Core Functions of the Cloud Platform

Inclination angle - Water Level Correlation Analysis:

Dynamically compute the correlation coefficient between the dam’s slope angle and water level fluctuations to identify anomalous association patterns.

 

Example: When the water level rises rapidly, if the rate of increase in the dam crest’s slope angle exceeds the threshold, an automatic dam‑breach risk warning is triggered.

3D Visualization Dashboard:

Integrate inclinometer data to generate a thermal map of dam‑body inclination, and overlay it with a millimeter‑wave radar water‑level surface model.

 

AI Prediction Engine:

Train the dip angle based on historical data. - Displacement prediction model, in advance 7 Tian early warning of the dam body’s instability trend.

 

2.4 Inclination sensor

   HYS07 The tilt sensor features high precision, low power consumption, and excellent stability, enabling real-time monitoring of an object’s tilt status and via… LoRa/LoRaWAN/Cat1/WIFI The device transmits data to the cloud platform in real time, enabling users to monitor and manage it remotely. Featuring a metal enclosure and a high-capacity battery, it also supports external power input and includes intelligent alarm functionality, with support for… TCP 、 UDP 、 MQTT and various other protocols, built-in SD The card supports automatic data retransmission upon network disconnection and is widely applicable across industries such as building construction, geological exploration, tower monitoring, smart cities, and industrial automation.

 

Interface Name	Specifications	Explanation
Power supply	DC 9~36V	Wide-voltage power supply
RS485	1 road	Standard MODBUS
LORA	External antenna	Support LORA/LORAWAN
Shell	CNC	IP67( Anti-splash )
Installation	Screw fastening
Inclination accuracy	±0.01°
Inclination resolution	0.005°
Tilt angle detection range
Digital output	Digital output, load current 1A, Maximum voltage 60V	Application in platform‑free scenarios, with an external audio‑visual alarm device.

 

 

2.5 Alarm terminal

The alarm terminal is used for centralized management of multiple tilt sensors. It can simultaneously display the readings from several tilt sensors on the screen.

 

 

  

Project		Parameter	Note
Display Function	Display types	TFT true color
	Display resolution	1024X600
	Types of touch controls	High-precision capacitive touchscreen
	Sensor display count	Supports multiple display modes; you can display one in full screen, or 2, with a maximum of 16 displayed simultaneously.
	Display size	10.1 inches
System Functions	Real-time data	It can display sensor data in real time on the screen in multiple formats.
	Historical data	It can store historical data for more than one year and allows you to easily display this data on the touchscreen.
	Control method	You can directly manipulate the screen with your hands to zoom in and out.
	Supported sensor types	Supports temperature and humidity, temperature, Data from multiple sensors, including PM2.5/PM10, TVOC, formaldehyde, and CO2.
	Data Upload	10/100M Ethernet and 3G/4G/5G	Not supported by default. 5G
	Communication protocol	Local support LORA, LORAWAN integration with sensors, Remote support MQTT connectivity to the cloud platform.
	Local Wireless	Support LORA wireless communication, with a frequency range of 31 MHz to 915 MHz.	Wireless communication is an optional accessory; the default frequency band is 470MHZ
Product Specifications	Operating temperature	-30 °C ~65 °C
	Operating humidity	5%RH~90%RH
	Certification	CE/FCC
	Power supply	6V~12V

 

 

2.6 mm millimeter-wave radar level gauge

Radar Level Gauge Product Series ， refers to working in 76-81GHz Frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) Radar products. The maximum range of the product can reach 15m， The blind spot is in 14 cm Within. Because it operates at a higher frequency ， Greater bandwidth ， Make it resistant to liquids,

of media such as slurries and solids Higher measurement accuracy. The product features a mounting bracket, eliminating the need for on-site wiring and making installation quick and easy. 。

 

 

Project	Parameter	Note
Power supply	12/24V DC	Supports wide voltage range
Transmission frequency	79 GHz~81GHz
Measurement range	0.14 m ~ 15m	0~140mm For radar blind spots
Measurement accuracy	± 5 mm
Resolution	1mm
FOV	Level 25°x Vertical 15°	Angle after adding the housing
Transmit power	12dbm
Response time	200ms
RS485	Support	Default support
LORA	Support
LoRaWAN	Support
4G	Optional configuration	CAT1
Relay output	1 Channel, optional
4~20mA Output	Optional configuration
Protection rating	IP68
Installation method	Bracket / Thread

 

• Solution Value ：

Precision Prevention and Control: Inclinometer + Dual-core millimeter-wave radar monitoring enables closed-loop analysis of multiple parameters, including tilt, water level, and seepage.

Efficient operations and maintenance: reduce 85% of inspections are conducted manually, with remote diagnostics enabling rapid identification of potential hazards.

Compliance Enhancement: Meets the requirements of the “Code for Design of Safety Monitoring in Water Conservancy and Hydropower Projects” ( SL725-2016) Technical Requirements.

Cost Optimization: Maintenance-free design for millimeter-wave radar, reducing lifecycle costs. 50%.

 

IV. Applicable scenarios:

Joint Monitoring of Earthfill Dam Slope Angles and Water Levels

Earth-rockfill dams are prone to lateral sliding of the dam body due to sudden rises in water levels. This solution monitors the slope angle using inclinometers, employs millimeter-wave radar to track water levels in real time, and calculates safety thresholds on a central platform. For example, during the flood season, one particular earth-rockfill dam was observed to experience a water level rise of per hour. 0.5 m, with the inclination angle increasing by 0.02°,

The system automatically activates the flood‑discharge gates to mitigate landslide risks.

 

Deformation Analysis of Concrete Arch Dams

Arch dams are extremely sensitive to changes in dip angle. The proposed scheme deploys triaxial inclinometers at the abutments and the arch crown, coupled with millimeter-wave radar to monitor reservoir water levels. An AI model analyzes the relationship between dip angle and water pressure. At a certain arch dam, the system detected an abnormal dip angle at the left abutment; subsequent investigation revealed seepage through bedrock fractures, prompting timely grouting for reinforcement.

 

Water Slope Stability Monitoring in the Reservoir Area

The slope angle and the groundwater level jointly exert a significant influence on dam safety. The proposed solution employs an array of inclinometers. + Millimeter-wave radar monitors surface water levels, while GNSS stations track slope displacements. In one reservoir area, the slope’s dip angle exceeded 0.05° in a single day, coinciding with an abnormal drop in water level; this was classified as a potential landslide, prompting the emergency evacuation of downstream residents.

 

 

With Inclinometer and Millimeter-wave radar level gauge At its core, through a multi-source sensor network and An AI cloud platform enables millimeter‑level precision monitoring of dam inclination, water levels, and deformation. It supports dynamic correlation analysis between tilt angles and water levels, 3D digital twin modeling, and edge‑computing‑based early warning, covering applications such as earth‑rockfill dams, arch dams, and reservoir‑area slopes. By reducing reliance on manual inspection and enhancing safety‑control capabilities, it provides intelligent, full‑lifecycle support for hydraulic engineering projects.