• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• 제12권6호
• /
• pp.661-678
• /
• 2013

In this paper, a wireless sensing system for structural field evaluation and rating of bridges is presented. The system uses a wireless platform integrated with traditional analogue sensors including strain gages and accelerometers along with the operating software. A wireless vehicle position indicator is developed using a tri-axial accelerometer node that is mounted on the test vehicle, and was used for identifying the moving truck position during load testing. The developed software is capable of calculating the theoretical bridge rating factors based on AASHTO Load and Resistance Factor Rating specifications, and automatically produces the field adjustment factor through load testing data. The sensing system along with its application in bridge deck rating was successfully demonstrated on the Evansville Bridge in West Virginia. A finite element model was conducted for the test bridge, and was used to calculate the load distribution factors of the bridge deck after verifying its results using field data. A confirmation field test was conducted on the same bridge and its results varied by only 3% from the first test. The proposed wireless sensing system proved to be a reliable tool that overcomes multiple drawbacks of conventional wired sensing platforms designed for structural load evaluation of bridges.

• 반도체디스플레이기술학회지
• /
• 제10권1호
• /
• pp.43-49
• /
• 2011

In this study, the dynamic characteristics of an air spring connected with an external chamber through a flexible tube are examined. The uncoupled dynamic parameters of the air spring are identified through experiments, followed by the suggestion of a model-based approach to obtain the remaining coupled dynamic parameters using the various frequency response functions derived in PART I paper [1]. To improve or control the damping characteristics of the air spring, this vibration isolation air spring system is physically established in laboratory scale. And we attempt to identify various parameters used to describe to air spring system by both theoretically [1] and experimentally, which is performed in this report. The damping parameter of the tube system is identified through experiments on the system incorporated with the air cylinder, and a nonlinear regression procedure is employed to find solutions. The resulting value is used to expect the frequency response function of dynamic pressure in the top chamber (air spring) with respect to that in the bottom chamber (external chamber). Comparison with the experimental data supports the validity of the present estimation procedures. Also, the dynamic mechanism of the damping effects particularly in a low frequency range is investigated through this experimental endeavor.