Using approximately synchronised accelerometers to identify mode shapes: a case study

Wai Kei Ao*, David Hester, Connor O'Higgins

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

With advances in technology approaches for capturing acceleration data for a modal test on civil engineering structures is changing rapidly. This paper presents a study carried out to examine the feasibility of using a number of independent acceleration recorders to capture the mode shapes of a tied arch highway bridge. The acceleration recorders used comprise a MEMS accelerometer mounted on a circuit board, where data from the accelerometer is read to a memory card on the circuit board. These devices are intended to measure acceleration however, to calculate mode shapes the individual recorders need to be synchronised. For conventional sensing system this is easily achieved as data from all sensors is being recorded by a central data logger. For individual recorders this is not the case, i.e. each recorder is logging the data directly to its own memory. Where a unique identifier (i.e. clapper board type event) can be implemented simultaneously at the start of all the recorder signals this will allow the signals be lined up in post processing. However, there is no guarantee that the signals won't drift from one another subsequently. While the potential loss in synchronisation is a problem, gathering the necessary acceleration data using independent recorders is vastly easier than using a wired system. This paper shows for the tied arch highway bridge used in the study the independent recorders provided a very good estimation of the bridge mode shapes.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 9th International Conference on Structural Health Monitoring of Intelligent Infrastructure (SHMII-9)
EditorsGenda Chen, Sreenivas Alampalli
PublisherMissouri University of Science and Technology
Pages596-601
Volume1
Publication statusPublished - 04 Aug 2019
Event9th International Conference on Structural Health Monitoring of Intelligent Infrastructure, SHMII 2019 - St. Louis, United States
Duration: 04 Aug 201907 Aug 2019
https://shmii-9.mst.edu/

Publication series

NameInternational Conference on Structural Health Monitoring of Intelligent Infrastructure: Proceedings

Conference

Conference9th International Conference on Structural Health Monitoring of Intelligent Infrastructure, SHMII 2019
Abbreviated titleSHMII 2019
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySt. Louis
Period04/08/201907/08/2019
Internet address

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Building and Construction

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