A vision-based measurement and data acquisition system for structural testing and monitoring

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Research of the Structures Group at the University of Calgary aims at providing innovative and cost-effective solutions to the structural aspects of the civil engineering infrastructure. This research involves investigations into the behaviour of structures built of modern high performance and advanced composite materials. Structural health monitoring technologies are also being developed. Members of the group have a strong track record in full-scale testing of structural components, and their experimental research is increasing dramatically over the years. Traditional methods of measuring displacements during structural testing include the use of displacement transducers that are attached or placed in contact with the test specimen at the locations and in the direction of the displacements measured. Many of the projects undertaken by the Structures Group involve testing under dynamic, fatigue or blast loading, which may cause severe, sudden or catastrophic failure of the test specimens. Under these conditions, use of conventional measuring devices and transducers is not possible without sacrificing them. Therefore, it is proposed to purchase a vision-based and non-contact measuring and data acquisition system. The proposed system consists of: 1) A set of high-speed high-resolution digital cameras, 2) Laser-based displacement sensors and a controller, 3) High capacity load cells, and 4) A high performance modular data acquisition system. The camera system will be useful for capturing the complete deformation behaviour and geometric changes of the specimens throughout any test. The system will permit extraction of the correct sequence of events as the specimens fail. The laser sensors will be used for precise measurement of displacements at different locations without contact with the specimens. The high capacity load cells are needed for high load applications. The new data acquisition system is needed to replace the old existing system. It will allow data from a much larger number of different types of sensors to be acquired at a much higher scan rate than presently available with the existing system.