Expanding the Field Capabilities of the NEES@UTexas Equipment Site

该奖项为德克萨斯大学奥斯汀分校(UTA)提供资金，以升级小乔治·E·布朗的实验能力。地震工程模拟网络(NEES)用于岩土工程和结构系统场地动力场研究的大型移动振动器和相关仪器，将由NEES Consortium，Inc.在2005财年至2014财年作为国家共享设施运营。UTA NEES现场的主要设备包括：(1)三台具有不同力和频率能力的移动式振动器和一个拖拉机-挂车钻机，用于将两台最大的振动器往返于现场；(2)一辆装有最先进数据采集系统和卫星连接装置的仪器面包车，以及(3)一大批现场仪器，其中包括测量振动运动和孔隙水压力的有线和无线传感器。根据该合同，将为该场地购买以下设备：两个可移动圆锥贯入测试(CPT)圆筒；CPT计算机控制单元；以及三个CPT圆锥尖端、GPS、30个三轴MEMS加速计、10个孔压传感器及相关电缆和连接器。可移动的气瓶将使卡车定位在离现场最近的位置，并允许卡车在两个水平方向上自由移动，以方便插入和提取液化传感器。仪表式圆锥贯入测试设备允许在研究土壤液化时进行具有成本效益的现场勘探。包括三个锥体尖端的液化传感器和计算机控制单元将启用这一功能。现场GPS将使现场人员能够精确定位设备和传感器的位置。此功能使用户能够通过GPS用附加信息标记记录点。MEMS加速度计与传感器一起，可以在低于10赫兹的频率下进行现场液化测试。升级后的设备将极大地扩大和提高NEES现场测试能力。该设备将通过NEES联合体公司，UTA NEES设施提供给地震工程研究界。该奖项由NSF NEES重大研究设备和设施建设(MREFC)项目资助，是国家减少地震灾害计划(NEHRP)的一部分。

This award provides funding to the University of Texas - Austin (UTA), to upgrade the experimental capabilities of the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) Large-Scale Mobile Shakers and associated instrumentation for the Dynamic Field Studies of Geotechnical and Structural Systems site that will be operated by NEES Consortium, Inc., as a national shared use facility during FY 2005 - FY 2014. The major equipment at the UTA NEES site includes: (1) three mobile shakers that have diverse force and frequency capabilities and a tractor-trailer rig to move the two largest shakers to and from field sites, (2) an instrumentation van that houses state-of-the-art data acquisition systems and a satellite link-up, and (3) a large collection of field instrumentation that includes wired and wireless sensors that measure vibrational motion and pore water pressure. Under this award, the following equipment will be purchased for this site: two moveable Cone Penetration Test (CPT) cylinders; CPT computer control unit; and three CPT cone tips, GPS, 30 Tri-axial MEMS accelerometers, 10 pore pressure transducers and related cables and connectors. The moveable cylinders will allow positioning the truck closest to the site and allow the freedom of movement of the truck in both horizontal directions to facilitate the insertion and extraction of liquefaction sensors. Instrumented cone penetration test equipment allows cost -effective site exploration in studying soil liquefaction. Liquefaction sensors including a three cone tips, and a computer control unit will enable this function. The field GPS will allow field personnel to pinpoint the location of equipment and sensors. This functionality enables the user to tag the recorded points with additional information through GPS. MEMS accelerometers along with the transducers enable in-situ liquefaction tests at frequencies less than 10Hz. This upgraded equipment will significantly expand and improve the field- testing capabilities at this NEES site. This equipment will be available to the earthquake engineering research community through the NEES Consortium, Inc., UTA NEES facility. This award is funded by the NSF NEES Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction (MREFC) project and is a component of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP).