Infrastructure / Structural Health Monitoring

What We Do

Campbell Scientific data-acquisition (DAQ) systems have versatile capabilities that make them ideal for structural health monitoring in a wide range of applications, including simple beam-fatigue, structural mechanics research, and continuous monitoring of large, complex structures. Each system can measure a variety of sensor types, including bonded foil strain gauges, accelerometers, displacement sensors (potentiometer-based, LVDT, and VW) tiltmeters, and temperature sensors.

Our VSPECT® technology provides the highest measurement precision of vibrating wire sensors available, sensor diagnostics to extend the useful life of the monitoring project, and noise immunity, which eliminates the need for post-processing of vibrating wire sensor data. Campbell Scientific’s family of data loggers and DAQ systems are currently being used for remote, unattended, and portable monitoring for highway overpasses, roads, buildings, retaining walls, bridges, and amusement park rides. Since 1974, Campbell Scientific has been known worldwide for rugged, accurate, and reliable measurement systems.

Watch the GRANITE™ Extreme Sensitivity video, the GRANITE™ Dynamic Range video, and the GRANITE™ Series Data Acquisition video.

Learn about our patented VSPECT spectral-analysis technology at our VSPECT Essentials web resource.

The dynamic vibrating wire measurement technique is protected under U.S. Patent No. 8,671,758, and the vibrating wire spectral-analysis technology (VSPECT) is protected under U.S. Patent No. 7,779,690.

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Systems


Personalice sus sistema

La mayoría de los sistemas que vendemos han sido personalizados. Cuéntenos sus necesidades y le ayudaremos a personalizar el suyo.

Instrumentación

We offer a variety of products that can be used to create systems for Structural Health Monitoring. Many of the major components used to create these systems are listed below. Please let us know if we can help you configure a system.

Mas detalles acerca de nuestro Structural Health Monitoring Sistemas

Data Acquisition (DAQ) Systems for Structural Monitoring and Control

The versatility of our modular DAQ systems allows them to be customized for each application.

Modular Design

The modular architecture of our GRANITE™ system allows each measurement module to independently connect to a PC or DAQ. As an independent module, the real-time measurements can be displayed directly on the PC. One or more measurement modules can be connected to the GRANITE DAQ to create the perfect networked configuration for each application. When connected, they form a time-synchronized, distributed DAQ system.

Distributed Networks and Synchronization

Multiple GRANITE measurement modules can be distributed throughout the structure. Each module is connected to a central GRANITE DAQ. This networking capability decreases the quantity and lengths of the sensor cables between the sensors and the GRANITE DAQ. Fewer sensor cables reduces cost, improves system simplification, and lessens the risk of signal corruption from noise.

Synchronization is key to the success of a distributed network. There are three significant levels to the GRANITE DAQ synchronization:

    1. The GRANITE DAQ has a built-in GPS and precision master clock.
      1. The pulse-per-second signal from the GPS is accurate to 1 µs. If enabled, the GRANITE DAQ will phase lock its operating clock to within 200 ns of the GPS clock. So, multiple independent DAQ systems spread over potentially vast geo-spatial regions can be synchronized with a maximum timing error between DAQ systems of 1.2 µs.
      2. Independent of the GPS, a temperature-compensated, high-precision, on-board, real-time clock will keep its own time with an accuracy of ±3 min/year.
    2. Within a single DAQ system, comprised of a GRANITE DAQ and GRANITE measurement modules, the measurements are all synchronized to the master clock of the GRANITE DAQ (sourced by either the GPS or precision on-board clock) via the CAN Peripheral Interface (CPI) or Ethernet Peripheral Interface (EPI) measurement buses.
      1. CPI synchronization between measurement modules in the same DAQ is ±5 µs. The overall physical range of the bus varies up to 2,000 ft depending on the data rate.
      2. EPI synchronization between measurement modules in the same DAQ is ±50 ns. The physical range of the bus is 300 ft per network connection. Daisy-chained connections can span thousands of feet.
    3. For extremely time-based-sensitive applications, the GRANITE SPECTRUM measurement modules are used with EPI synchronization. Within each module, the analog electrical signal delay is calibrated and compensated to reduce the timing delay mismatch to ±10 ns channel-to-channel.

Sensors Used in Structural Monitoring

Because Campbell Scientific data loggers and GRANITE DAQs are compatible with nearly every commercially available sensor, you can use the sensor that best meets your application. Typical sensors used for structural and seismic monitoring by our systems include:

  1. Carlson strain meters
  2. Vibrating wire strain gages
  3. Foil strain gages (set up in quarter-, half-, or full-bridge strain configurations)
  4. Inclinometers
  5. Crack and joint sensors
  6. Tilt sensors
  7. Piezoresistive accelerometers
  8. Piezoelectric accelerometers
  9. Capacitive accelerometers
  10. Borehole accelerometers
  11. Servo force balance accelerometers

Data Retrieval

Communication interfaces for retrieving, storing, and displaying data include direct connection to a PC or laptop, microSD cards, Ethernet, and several options for wireless communication (including built-in Wi-Fi).

Software

Our PC-based software options support connecting the GRANITE measurement modules directly to a PC or scheduling remote, automated data collection from the GRANITE DAQ. Real-time monitoring and control simplify the entire data-acquisition process, while robust error-checking ensures data integrity. We can even help you post your data to the Internet.

Example Application: Monitoring an Overpass

Campbell Scientific’s GRANITE monitoring systems are used for a variety of structural and seismic applications. Monitoring possibilities on an overpass could include:

monitoring possibilities for an overpass

Casos de estudio

Utah: Monitoring Strain on Precast Bridge Deck
The Utah Department of Transportation is investigating the effect on the life span of bridges......read more
Kentucky: Dam Repair
The Wolf Creek Dam near Jamestown, Kentucky, was constructed partially as a regular concrete hydroelectric......read more
Nova Scotia: Monitoring Bridge Performance for Future Projects
The Confederation Bridge is one of the world's longest continuous pre-stressed-concrete, box-girder, bridges built over......read more
England: Monitoring Bridge Deck Movement
Ten Campbell Scientific CR10X dataloggers were used to monitor movement during the repair of the......read more
Florida: Crack Monitoring at a Historic Site
The Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, St. Augustine, Florida, is a 17th Century historic,......read more
North Wales: Bridge Load Monitoring
Following an inspection a decade ago, the Welsh Office was advised to reduce the allowable......read more
Space Research: Joint Damping Experiment
The Space Shuttle Endeavor carried the CR10 and CR9000 dataloggers into orbit as part of......read more
United Kingdom: Concrete Performance Research
In an effort to study the performance of concrete floors in large warehouses and distribution......read more

Integradores relacionados

The following is a list of companies that have developed expertise in our products and provide consulting, installation, and other services for structural health monitoring applications.