Monitorización de puentes Data Acquisition for Reliable, Stand-Alone Bridge Monitoring

Bridges Monitored By Our Data Loggers

• James Joyce Bridge—Dublin, Ireland
• Bronx Whitestone Bridge—New York, NY
• Brooklyn Bridge—New York, NY
• Verrazano Narrows Bridge—New York, NY
• Williamsburg Bridge—New York, NY
• Throgs Neck Bridge—New York, NY
• Medway Bridge—Kent, UK
• Menai Bridge—North Wales
• Confederation Bridge—Prince Edward Island, Canada
• I-83 Ramp—Harrisburg, PA
• Birmingham Bridge—Pittsburgh, PA
• Sawmill Run Bridge—Pittsburgh, PA
• Neville Island Bridge—Pittsburgh, PA
• SR 33 Bridge—Easton, PA
• Girard Point Bridge—Philadelphia, PA
• Church Street Bridge—Melbourne, Australia
• David Trumpy Bridge—Queensland, Australia
• 15 Mile Creek Bridge—The Dalles, OR
• I-5 Mckenzie Bridge—Eugene, OR
• Willamette River Bridge—Willamette, OR
• I-64 over Kanawha River—Charleston, WV
• AMTRAK Susquehanna River Bridge—Perryville, MD

Bridge Monitoring and Control

The versatility of our systems allows them to be customized for each application. We offer a range of data loggers, from the most basic system with just a few channels to expandable systems that measure hundreds of channels. Scan rates can be programmed from a few hours to 100,000 times per second, depending on the data logger model. Measurement types, recording intervals, and processing algorithms, are also programmable. Data loggers not only provide advanced measurement capabilities, but can also control external devices.

Onboard processing instruction sets contain programmed algorithms that process measurements and output results in the desired units of measure. For example, data can be displayed as rainflow or level crossing histograms. These rainflow and level crossing algorithms allow processing for extended periods of time, not just a limited number of cycles. The instruction sets also allow for triggered output with pretrigger data capture capability. Triggers can be based on sensor output, time, and/or user control. For example, if an overpass is being monitored, data collection can be triggered by a sensor detecting the approach of a car, an earthquake, pre-programmed times, or by pushing a button.

The control functions of our data loggers combined with their programmability allow them to sound alarms, actuate electrical devices, or shut down equipment based on time or measured conditions. Systems can also call out to phones, pagers, radios, and other devices to report site conditions. Voice-synthesized modems are available, so the system can actually call and tell you what is happening.

Sensors used in Bridge Monitoring

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

• Carlson strain meters
• vibrating wire strain gauges
• foil strain gauges (set up in quarter, half, or full bridge strain configurations)
• inclinometers
• crack and joint sensors
• tilt sensors
• piezoresistive accelerometers
• piezoelectric accelerometers
• capacitive accelerometers
• borehole accelerometers
• servo force balance accelerometers

Because our GRANITE™ Data-Acquisition Systems integrate with different measurement modules, each system has different channel types and programmable inputs. Channel types include analog (single-ended and differential), pulse counters, switched excitation, continuous analog output, digital I/O, and anti-aliasing filter. Using switched or continuous excitation channels, our data-acquisition systems provide excitation for ratiometric bridge measurements.

Our GRANITE™ Series allows you to customize a system with the channel types that best fit your application. The number and type of channels on most of our data-acquisition systems are expandable using multiplexers and other measurement peripherals. 

Communications

The availability of multiple communications options for retrieving, storing, and displaying data also allows systems to be customized to meet exact needs. On-site communication options include direct connection to a PC or laptop, PC cards, storage modules, and data logger keyboard/display. Telecommunication options include short-haul, telephone (including voice-synthesized and cellular), radio frequency, multidrop, and satellite.

Software

Our Windows-based software simplifies data logger programming, data retrieval, and report generation. The data logger program can be modified at any time to accommodate different sensor configurations or new data processing requirements.

Example Application: Monitoring an Overpass

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