High-capacity multi-axis load cells to advance research on sustainable infrastructure

建设和维护可持续的高性能基础设施是加拿大面临的一项重大挑战。加拿大保险局最近委托进行的一项研究发现，大地震将导致魁北克市-蒙特利尔-渥太华走廊的损失超过600亿加元，不列颠哥伦比亚省的损失接近750亿加元。另外，在2016年基础设施报告卡中对加拿大桥梁的调查中，26%的桥梁被评为一般或更差。麦克马斯特大学是独一无二的准备来应对这些挑战，与众多的研究人员进行突破性的研究，在高性能结构系统。 所要求的高容量多轴称重传感器对于麦克马斯特大学应用动力学实验室（ADL）进行的可持续基础设施研究的进展至关重要。ADL配备了各种各样的测试设备，能够在多个方向上同时施加大的力和/或位移，以模拟地震或环境和瞬态振动。然而，ADL缺乏可以测量样本在多个方向上所经受的力的测力传感器。这一重大缺陷严重限制了从这种测试中获得的知识。所要求的称重传感器将能够测量六个自由度的极端力，从而能够进行大范围的研究，包括但不限于：保护结构系统的开发和扩散，包括隔离和受控摇摆;基于对地震反应的更多理解，更新了规范规定，以提高砌体基础设施的安全性;为桥梁构件（如桥梁支座）开发可靠的健康监测系统。这些研究课题旨在保护加拿大社区的经济和社会利益，面对地震威胁和老化的基础设施。学生将成为设备的主要用户，他们将获得最先进测试的实践经验，这在工业界和学术界都备受追捧。他们的研究将使他们成为可持续基础设施领域的未来领导者，为加拿大提供高素质的人才。

Building and maintaining sustainable high-performance infrastructure is a major challenge for Canada. A recent study commissioned by the Insurance Bureau of Canada found that a major earthquake will result in losses of more than C$60 billion in the Quebec City-Montreal-Ottawa corridor and nearly C$75 billion in British Columbia. Separately, in a survey of bridges across Canada presented in the 2016 Infrastructure Report Card, 26% of bridges were rated as fair or worse. McMaster University is uniquely poised to tackle these challenges, with numerous researchers conducting breakthrough research in high-performance structural systems. The requested high-capacity multi-axis load cells are essential for the progress of research on sustainable infrastructure conducted in the Applied Dynamics Laboratory (ADL) at McMaster University. The ADL is equipped with a diverse range of testing equipment capable of imposing large forces and/or displacements concurrently in multiple directions in order to simulate earthquakes or ambient and transient vibrations. However, the ADL lacks load cells that can measure forces experienced by the specimens in multiple directions. This major shortcoming severely limits the knowledge that can be gained from such testing. The requested load cells will be able to measure extreme forces in six degrees-of-freedom, enabling a large range of research including but not limited to: Development and proliferation of protective structural systems including isolation and controlled rocking; Updated code regulations for improved safety in masonry infrastructure based on increased understanding of seismic response; and Development of robust health monitoring systems for bridge components, such as bridge bearings. These research topics aim to protect the economic and social interests of Canadian communities in the face of seismic threat and aging infrastructure. Students, who will be the primary users of the equipment, will gain hands-on experience in state-of-the-art testing, which is highly sought after in both industry and academia. Their research will prepare them to become future leaders within sustainable infrastructure, providing Canada with highly qualified personnel.