Evaluation of aspects affecting measurement of three-axis accelerometers

In order to set integrated procedures involving geotechnical and structural aspects finalized to buildings diagnostics, uncertainty aspects are discussed concerning three-axis accelerometers and inclinometers for a distributed sensor network. This network allows to operate in a selective manner, preferring the most critical situations. To this aim, the main aspects affecting the measurement uncertainty of sensors to be used for building diagnostic should be known. As the firstly step of the uncertainty evaluation procedure, we focused on the calibration of sensors used for the task. The requirement of low cost and complexity of sensors and test benches was considered. Experimental results show that satisfactory calibration accuracy could be achieved, also for the low frequency range, 0–10 Hz. Systematic errors are minimized and main parameters affecting uncertainty are identified, such as: the motion positioning of the accelerometer with respect to the vertical axis, the imposed motion law, the parameter used as the reference and, finally, the real radial positioning of the sensor. Requirements to be satisfied by the sensor are also analysed.