NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

Autonomous Crack Comparometer

A Thesis
Submitted to the Graduate School
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
For the Degree
MASTER OF SCIENCE
Field of Civil Engineering
By
Damian R Siebert
EVANSTON, IL
June 2000

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank my advisor Professor Charles Dowding not only for his
support and encouragement in the writing of this Masters Thesis, but for being a friend
and a mentor. Professor Richard Finno, Professor Howard Reeves, and Professor
Raymond Krizek are thanked for their support and teaching during my time at
Northwestern University.

Thanks are also given to the staff of the Infrastructure Technology Institute and in
particular Dan Marron for all his advice and assistance during the project (good luck with
the baby).

I would like to thank all of the fellow graduate students and friends I have made
while at Northwestern University for their support, encouragement and friendship,
including Sebastian Bryson, Kristi Kawamura, Michele Calvello, Richard Cole, Joe
Schulenburg, Jejung Lee, Hsiao-chou Chao, Elisa Budyn, Dan Priest, Peter Babaian, Jill
Roboski, Amy Rechenmacher, Matthew Fortney, Benoit Paineau, and Bill Bergeson.
Good luck to Michael Loius who will take over this research.

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I would like to express thanks to all my friends who encouraged me in this

undertaking and have kept me sane throughout the process.

I would like to thank my family, Mom, Dad, and Peter for their support,
encouragement, and love.

I would especially like to thank Liz Canter who has, encouraged, aided, and put
up with me throughout this entire process. Her love and understanding has helped me
more than I can describe. I would be lost without her. I promise I wont make her read it
again!

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1 Introduction..1
Need for New Approach to Vibration Monitoring..1
Principle of Micrometer Monitoring of Cracks...2
Project Goals...2
Advantages of Proposed Technology......3
Uniqueness upon the Technological Stage..4
Estimated Market Potential......5
Focus of Thesis....6
Chapter 2 Micrometer Displacement....8
Introduction..8
Micrometer Displacement Sensors Requirements...8
Crack Displacement Definition..11
Sensors Studied..12
Importance of Measuring Range15
Mounting Systems.15
Kaman16
LVDT.16

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Sensors Considerations for Long-Term Movement...17

Compensation for Drift and Thermal Hysteresis...21
Conclusion.23
Chapter 3 Hardware24
Introduction24
Current System Phase I..25
Server Computer25
Client Side Field Computer...26
Client Side Data Acquisition System.27
Layers.28
WinTCS.30
Sensors to Measure Displacement.....30
Sensors to Measure Weather..31
Mounting of Sensors..32
Phase II and III Transition to Typical Vibration Monitoring Hardware34
Phase II Transition.35
Data Acquisition System for Long-Term and Weather Data.36
Modem Splitter..37
Phase III Transition37
Sensors...39
Conclusion.39

Chapter 4 Automation of System40

Introduction40
Program Description..40
Current Phase I System..41
Uploading Data from Field Computer...41
Server Computer43
File Transfer...43
Text Conversion.44
Java Applet for ASCII Text File Analysis.45
Database Structure.....46
Four-Hour Data..47
Vibration Data....47
Dynamic Generation of Graphs for Web Site48
Process...50
Phase II Transition.50
Hardware Changes for Transition to Phase II50
Automate Changes for Transition to Phase II52
Changes to the Java Applet for Transition to Phase II...55
Graph Generation Changes for Transition to Phase II...57
Transition Phase II to Phase III..58
Limitations.....58
Conclusions....59

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Chapter 5 Measured Response....60

Introduction....60
1908 Sheridan Road Test House....60
House Description and Sensor Location....60
Null Sensor Correction......67
Crack Displacement vs. Weather...73
Crack Displacement vs. Habitational Vibration....80
Comparison With Expected Ground Motion Responses...89
Conclusions90
Chapter 6 Web Design91
Introduction91
Design Requirements.91
Current Phase I Site...94
Opening Page.94
Site Specific Tool Bar....98
Opening page: Specific Monitoring Site99
Location...100
Weather Data...102
Crack Displacement vs104
Conclusions and Recommendations for Modification.106
Chapter 7 Cost...108
Introduction..108
Current Phase I System Cost...108

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Phase II....110
Phase III Costs (Commercial Vibration Monitor)...111
Data Reduction Benefits of Current System...113
Conclusion...114
Chapter 8 Conclusions and Future Work115
Conclusions..115
Future Work.....116
References....117

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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 2.1 Crack Width Change During Passage of Several Weather Fronts Plotted at a
Scale to show Daily Oscillations and Required Resolution..10
Figure 2.2 Crack Width Change During Two-Thirds of a Year Including the Heating
Season...10
Figure 2.3 Definition of Crack Width Displacement and its Measurement...11
Figure 2.4 Comparison of Hair Diameter to Crack Movement..12
Figure 2.5 Schematic Drawing of LVDT Sensor Showing Target and Mounting
Brackets.13
Figure 2.6 Kaman Sensor14
Figure 2.7 Kaman Mounting Brackets with Pen in Background for Scale.16
Figure 2.8 LVDT Mounting Bracket..17
Figure 2.9 Comparison of Sensors with Low and High Long-term Drift and Illustration
of Thermal Hysteresis loop...19
Figure 2.10 Thermal Drift Analysis: Average Daily Displacement vs. Time....20
Figure 2.11 Null Sensor Placement Near-by but not Across the Crack..22
Figure 2.12 Null Sensor Movement in the Opposite Direction for Rising Temperature
When Continuous Material Between the Transducer and Target Expand23

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Figure 3.1 Phase I Configuration Showing Server-Side Connected to the Client/FieldSide by a Phone Line....25
Figure 3.2 Phase I Schematic and Photo of Somat Data Acquisition System....27
Figure 3.3 Individual Somat Layer.29
Figure 3.4 Somat Layer Definitions....29
Figure 3.5 Omega Weather Sensor.32
Figure 3.6 Omega Wiring Diagram32
Figure 3.7 Phase II-a Configuration....35
Figure 3.8 Phase II-b Configuration...36
Figure 3.9 Phase III Configuration Showing Option Without (a) New Vibration
Monitoring Software and with (b) Additional Software Written for Typical
Vibration Monitors....38
Figure 4.1 Operations Performed by AutoMate in Current Phase I System...42
Figure 4.2 Subdivisions of Data and Graphs in Phase I and Those Required in Phases II
& III Shown as Dotted..49
Figure 4.3 Transition From Phase I to Phase II-a by Adding Motion Transducers51
Figure 4.4 Transition from Phase II-a to Phase II-b by Adding Long-Term Data
Acquisition System...53
Figure 4.5 Changes to AutoMate to Modify System to Accommodate Standard
Vibration Monitor.54
Figure 4.6 Ground Motion and Air Blast57
Figure 5.1 1908 Sheridan Road..61
Figure 5.2 Plan View of House with Sensors Location..62

Figure 5.3 Elevation View of House with Sensor Location...63

Figure 5.4 Basement of House64
Figure 5.5 Basement Sensor...64
Figure 5.6 Basement and Null Sensor64
Figure 5.7 Weather Sensors....65
Figure 5.8 Stairs Sensor..65
Figure 5.9 Weather and Stair Sensor..65
Figure 5.10 Stairs Leading to Basement.65
Figure 5.11 Typical Framing Detail for a Stairwell....66
Figure 5.12 First Floor Sensor ...67
Figure 5.13 First Floor Leading to Basement.67
Figure 5.14 Null Sensor Displacement vs. Temperature....69
Figure 5.15 Basement Sensors with Null Correction..70
Figure 5.16 Basement Sensor Correction vs. Time....71
Figure 5.17 Null Sensor vs. Time...72
Figure 5.18 Two-Year Heating Usage for a Typical House in Therms..74
Figure 5.19 First Floor Sensor & Degree Heating Day vs. Time...75
Figure 5.20a Basement Sensor and Humidity vs. Time..77
Figure 5.20b Basement Sensor and Temperature vs. Time....77
Figure 5.21 Basement Crack Displacement vs. Humidity..78
Figure 5.21 Basement Crack Displacement vs. Temperature.....79

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Figure 5.23 Correlation of Humidity and Crack Displacement vs. Time for Another
Test House Showing Correlation of Peak Displacement with Large Changes
in Humidity...80
Figure 5.24 All Sensors and Habitational Vibrations.81
Figure 5.25 Stairs Sensor and Habitational Vibrations...83
Figure 5.26 Sensor Under Stairs Habitational Vibration85
Figure 5.27 Basement Sensor and Habitational Vibrations....85
Figure 5.28 Basement Sensor Habitational Vibration (door closing).86
Figure 5.29 First Floor Sensor and Habitational Vibrations...87
Figure 5.30 Comparison with Past Crack Displacement Data to Show Expected Low
Response to Intense Ground Motions...89
Figure 6.1 Consistent Banner and Choice Side Bar....94
Figure 6.2 First World Wide Web Page Showing Consistent Banner and Choice Side
Bar.95
Figure 6.3 Background Page that Describes Crack Movement..96
Figure 6.4 Crack Movement Page that Illustrates the Affects of Ordinary Occurrences
...97
Figure 6.5 Page Showing the Computers and Crack Displacement Transducers...98
Figure 6.6 Site Specific Side Bar....99
Figure 6.7 House in City Page..101
Figure 6.8 Location of Sensors in House Page.....102
Figure 6.9 Weather Data for Today Page.....103
Figure 6.10 Environmental Conditions During the Past Week....104

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Figure 6.11 Crack Displacement vs: Sensor Page Showing the Location of the Sensors
to be Selected......105
Figure 6.12 Example Comparison of Crack Displacement vs: Time with Humidity vs.
Time....106
Figure 7.1 Four Different Data Types...113
Figure 7.2 Two Projects with Six and Eight Months of Data...113

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LIST OF TABLES
Table 7.1 Phase I Cost..109
Table 7.2 Additional Cost for Phase II-a..110
Table 7.3 Additional Cost for Phase II-b..111
Table 7.4 Anticipated Cost of Phase III112

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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
NEED FOR NEW APPROACH TO VIBRATION MONITORING
Public concern over construction vibration-induced cracking has led to the
development of a radically new approach to vibration, an autonomous crack
comparometer (ACC). This thesis chronicles the first step of developing equipment and
software necessary for this system. The new system will automatically compare longterm weather induced micrometer changes in crack width with those produced by
habitation ground motion. This comparison will then be displayed in real time via the
Internet without human interaction.
Comparison of long-term changes in crack width along with weather and
vibration-induced changes in crack width can change public perception of the effects of
vibration. As can be seen in the detailed case study by Dowding (1996), long-term and
weather-induced distortion of structures is greater than that caused by present levels of
allowable construction-induced vibration. However, since humans feel vibration
response and not weather response, vibration is invariably blamed for defects noticed by
neighbors who are upset by construction activity.
Furthermore, graphic display of the parameters over the Internet allows a visual
comparison of these differing phenomena that is otherwise not possible. Visual

comparison avoids the abstract complexity of vibration time histories and required belief
of past studies that compare vibration levels with crack initiation. Most importantly of
all, the Internet provides a mechanism for direct public participation in data collection
and interpretation.

PRINCIPLE OF MICROMETER MONITORING OF CRACKS

Micrometer changes in crack width are conducted with proximity sensors
developed for computerized numerically controlled (CNC) manufacturing. The
robustness of these systems necessary to survive the manufacturing floor is sufficient for
use within structures adjacent to construction projects. These proximity devices are able
to respond dynamically as well as statically. Thus the same gages are able to measure
micrometer changes in width produced by both long-term changes in temperature and
humidity as well as dynamic, construction-induced excitation. This project integrates
these micrometer devices with existing miniaturized vibration monitors to relate crack
width changes to construction vibration events. Thus it has not been necessary to
develop an entire system from whole cloth.

PROJECT GOALS
There are two goals of this project. The first is to implement and commercialize
seismographic instruments that can measure micrometer changes in crack width produced
by both transient construction vibrations and long-term environmental effects. The
second is to provide via the Internet these data in real time to the public in a form that

allows direct visual comparison. This new approach has the potential to be a cost
effective means of informing the lay public of, and controlling that which is of concern,
crack movement, during vibration producing construction. The overall objectives of this
project are to:

Determine the optimal micrometer proximity measurement system for measuring

crack movement;

Integrate proximity measurement and environmental observation with traditional

vibration measurement;

Display the comparisons of long-term and vibratory crack deformation in real

time via the Internet;

Demonstrate the robustness, reliability, cost effectiveness, and limitations of

micrometer proximity measurement within structures;

Report the results of field trials of this equipment.

This thesis is a major step toward the realization of these project goals.

ADVANTAGES OF PROPOSED TECHNOLOGY

The proposed technology directly measures crack behavior. Rather than measure
only ground motion, which in turn is correlated with the results from previous studies,
crack behavior is also measured directly. This direct measurement is simple to
understand and requires no reliance upon previous work by others. Most importantly, the
same device, when placed across a crack can be employed to measure changes in crack
width that result from either vibratory or environmental effects such as temperature and
humidity. Full time-histories of vibratorally-induced changes in crack width can be

recorded along with the long-term effect of environmental changes by the same gage or
sensor.
The current approach of comparing measured ground motions time-histories with
those that caused past cracking in representative structures is inherently complex to
understand, and requires belief in the results of previous studies of critical levels of
ground motion. These two requirements sometimes lead to illogical results in court.
Despite volumes of evidence, some juries to ignore the basic physics of the situation.
While there are no doubt many reasons for this dismissal of science, the complexity of
ground motions description and the need to believe past reports certainly are at the head
of the list.
The crack measurement approach eliminates the need to convince anyone of
validity of past correlations or to instruct them about ground motion with all of its
attendant scientific complexity.

UNIQUENESS UPON THE TECHNOLOGICAL STAGE

This project combines two technologies not heretofore integrated along with
delivery over the Internet. Internet delivery increases public access to data, which in this
case should lead to greater appreciation of the relative effects of the forces affecting crack
response. These data can be accessed and compared with relatively little explanation.
The device is unique in that it will be the first portable instrument to provide the
ability to relate time-histories of crack movements to particle velocity time-histories on
the same time scale. It combines micrometer proximity measurement with miniaturized,
digital seismograph technology.

ESTIMATED MARKET POTENTIAL

The market potential for this equipment can be estimated (Dowding 1999). There
are three stages in the development of the market. The initial stage will involve concept
development. During this stage only those closely involved in the development will push
for deployment. In the second stage, professional adoption, consultants other than the
original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) will suggest deployment and competing
OEMs will offer similar products. The third stage, codification, will involve the adoption
by the regulators and professional societies. Market size will be estimated for the first
and second stages together, and the ultimate market separately.
The ultimate market size is in the low thousands. All significant infrastructure
renewal projects involve construction close enough to structures for vibrations to be
perceptible. It is not an overstatement to estimate that there is at least one lawsuit over
alleged vibration cracking in each of the fifty United States of America while this
sentence is being written. Thus it would seem that ultimately each year there are some
fifty to one hundred lawsuit driven situations that could and should have involved such a
monitoring approach. In addition, there are thousands of coal mines and quarries that are
required to employ vibration monitoring instruments. Not all of the instruments presently
deployed need to be replaced by a crack monitoring unit. Ten per state, or five hundred
would be a reasonable estimate. Thus ultimately there is a potential market size in the
high hundreds to one thousand for these instruments in the United States alone.
In the near term during the developmental and professional adoption stages, the
number of deployed instruments should double each year for the next ten years. It is

expected that in the first year some two to four units would be deployed. Currently three
primative versions of the concept are deployed in Date County, Florida to illuminate the
factors that affect changes in crack width (Dowding, 2000).

FOCUS OF THESIS
This thesis describes in detail three phases of the Autonomous Crack
Comparometer (ACC) development and implementation with a focus on the first phase
(I). A comprehensive description of the system developed at Northwestern University,
presentation of results from the current test site, and recommendations for future work are
included. Phase I is the system as it is operating currently. Phase II and III are the
modifications of the system required to create a complete and fully functional product.
The ACC measures micrometer displacements of cracks in a house and can compare
changes in crack width with those caused by weather, habitation vibrations, and
construction or blast vibration. These comparisons, along with past research, will show
which factor has the greatest impact on crack movement (weather, habitation, or ground
motion).
Organizationally, the thesis builds outward from the sensors to the Internet and
includes an analysis of the relative effects of weather and habitation vibration. Chapter
Two will discuss the sensors employed to measure micrometer crack displacement as
well as give solutions for sensor variations. The hardware that comprises the system is
described in Chapter Three. This chapter also lists the changes in Phase I equipment
required for the system when a standard vibration monitoring device is installed. A
crucial attribute of the system is it complete automation that eliminates mush of the data

analysis once the hardware is installed. Complete automation is accomplished by a

variety of software packages and programs, which are described in Chapter Four. Field
measurements in a wood frame house made with Phase I instrumentation are presented in
Chapter Five, along with correlations with past research that confirm the results. The
web site that displays the information from the ACC is described in Chapter Six. This
Chapter presents the organization of the site and the methodology of its design. Chapter
Seven outlines the cost of the current system along with the expected costs for installation
of this system by others if given the software. Finally, Chapter Eight summarizes the
accomplishments to date and the limitations of the current ACC system in order to
recommend future improvements.

CHAPTER 2
MICROMETER DISPLACEMENT
INTRODUCTION
A number of types and brands of micrometer displacement sensors are envisioned
to be compatible with ACC system. As a first step several were evaluated to determine
which would be best-fit current system requirements. Attributes of importance include:
price, size, resolution, and range. This chapter describes the requirements and compares
the attributes of the displacement sensors tested, as well as possible procedures to
improve sensor accuracy.

MICROMETER DISPLACEMENT SENSOR REQUIREMENTS

There are several requirements of the displacement sensors for the current system.
First, they must be small, so they do not interfere with household activity or seem too
obtrusive to those who would live with them on their home walls. Since they would be
placed predominantly inside a house they should be as inconspicuous as possible.
Second, they must be inexpensive as price is always an issue. Normally the best
equipment is not the lowest priced equipment. The system will eventually be marketed to
companies and therefore it must be affordable.

Third, they must have high resolution, which is determined from experience.
Figure 2.1 from past measurement portrays changes in crack width over a thirty-two day
time period (Dowding, 1996). Over a one-day time period the crack width changes
cyclically 3 micrometers (0.00012 inches). To make apparent such small changes over a
twenty-four period, a resolution thirty times greater than this movement is desirable,
which results in a desired resolution of 0.1 micrometers (4 microinches).
Fourth, they must have an appropriately high measuring range. Figure 2.2 from
past experience illustrates crack width changes over two-thirds of a year that includes the
January heating season. The total movement of the crack during the heating season does
not exceed 0.1 mm or 100 micrometers. Since not all cracks behave the same, this range
could be extended +/-200% to account for cracks with a larger movement potential. This
results in a measuring range of 400 micrometers. If the displacement sensor is placed in
the middle of this range it is required to follow movements of no less than +/- 200
micrometers.

Figure 2.1 Crack Width Change During Passage of Several Weather Fronts Plotted at a Scale to
show Daily Oscillations and Required Resolution (Dowding, 1996)

Figure 2.2 Crack Width Change During Two-Thirds of a Year Including the Heating Season

10

CRACK DISPLACEMENT DEFINITION

Change in crack width is defined with the help of Figure 2.3. The sensors do not
measure total crack width but rather the change in the crack width. As illustrated by the
Figure the crack changes width during various events that are described in greater detail
throughout this paper. From this point on this change in crack width will be referred to as
displacement.
Change in
Crack Width
Total Crack Width
Typical Crack

Figure 2.3 Definition of Crack Width Displacement and its Measurement

The change in crack width that is measured is very small change. Figure 2.4
compares the average diameter of a human hair with the maximum change in crack width
for this thesis.

11

Average Hair
Diameter = 90 m

Greatest Crack
Movement = 300 m

Figure 2.4 Comparison of Hair Diameter to Crack Movement

SENSORS STUDIED
There are many different types of displacement sensors on the market; however,
only two were analyzed during Phase I: the Linear Variable Differential Transformer
(LVDT) and the lowest priced Kaman eddy current sensors. Figure 2.5 shows a
schematic drawing of the LVDT sensor. An LVDT is a small transformer that consists of
encapsulated coils of wire around a cavity in thermally stable material, which is further
encapsulated against moisture within a stainless steel housing. The moving element in
the LVDT is a tubular core of magnetically permeable material that is free to move
axially within the coils cavity. Changes in the magnetic field in the cavity, caused by
movement of the core, are converted by integrated electronics into a voltage signal
proportional to the displacement of the core.
The resolution of the LVDT is theoretically infinite and depends upon the analog
to digital (A/D) converter to which it is connected. However, limitations such as
electronic noise prevent infinite resolution. The A/D converter employed with the LVDT

12

has 12-bit resolution. The scale factor that converts voltage to displacement for the
LVDT employed on this project is 7.87 volts/mm.

Figure 2.5 Schematic Drawing of LVDT Sensor Showing Target and Mounting Brackets

A 12-bit A/D converter can resolve 4096 (2^12) steps. If the number of possible
increments is multiplied by the required resolution per increment, the measuring range of
the sensor can be determined. This range is calculated in mm and is converted to volts in
Equation 2.1. In order to take advantage of the full 12-bit range the voltage range should
be set to +/-3.2 volts/2 = 1.6 volts. This setting allows for adjustment if the sensor moves
out of range, which will be discussed later in this chapter. Equation 2.1 shows the
formula used to calculate the measuring range of the sensor based upon a 0.1-micrometer
resolution.
7.87 volts/mm x 0.0001 mm/div x 4096 div/range = 3.23 volts/range

(Eqn. 2.1)

Figure 2.6 shows a schematic of the Kaman sensor. The Kaman sensor employs
eddy current technology, which sends an AC current to the sensor coil to produce an
oscillating electromagnetic field. Placing the coil a nominal distance from an electrically
conductive target induces a current flow on the surface and within the target. This

13

current, called an eddy current because of its circular pattern, produces a secondary
magnetic field that opposes and reduces the intensity of the original field, thus creating a
coupling effect. The strength of the electromagnetic coupling between the sensor and
target depends on the gap between them. This coupling is converted by the sensor
electronics into a voltage signal proportional to the gap distance. The maximum
resolution of the Kaman sensor is not infinite, but is much smaller than the 0.1
micrometers required of this project.
Like the LVDT, the Kaman resolution depends on the A/D converter, which in
this case has 12-bit resolution. The scale factor that converts voltage to displacement for
the Kaman sensor employed on this project is 0.787 volts/mm. Equation 2.2 shows the
formula to calculate the measuring range of the sensor based upon a 0.1-micrometer
resolution.
0.787 volts/mm x 0.0001 mm/div x 4096 div/range = .323 volts/range

(Eqn. 2.2)

Figure 2.6 Kaman Sensor

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As with the LVDT 12-bit A/D converter can resolve 4096 (2^12) steps. If this is
multiplied by the required resolution per increment, the measuring range of the sensor
can be determined. This range is calculated in mm and is converted to volts in Equation
2.2 above. In order to take advantage of the full 12-bits, the input range of the Somat
should be set to +/-.32 volts/2 = .16 volts. This setting allows for adjustment if the sensor
moves out of range, which will be discussed later in this chapter.

IMPORTANCE OF MEASURING RANGE

For some sensors, temperature sensitivity of gage and electronics is proportional
to the range. Thus deployed sensors should have the smallest, but field supportable
ranges. The full scale measuring range on both sensors that were tested is 1270
micrometers, which corresponds to +/- 10 volts on the LVDT and +/- 1 volt on the
Kaman. When the voltage range of the sensors is reduced it increases the resolution and
should decrease the thermal sensitivity. As indicated by past research the maximum
range of the sensor could be reduced to 250 micrometer and still monitor the full
movement of most cracks.

MOUNTING SYSTEMS
Brackets were designed to facilitate the mounting of the sensors on walls. The
goal of the brackets is to firmly hold the sensor on a wall with the minimal distance
between the wall and the sensor. The brackets were designed to minimize the thermal

15

effects from material expansion and contraction. Finally the brackets need to allow for
easy adjustment of the sensors once they were mounted.

Kaman
Figure 2.7 illustrates the brackets for the Kaman sensors, which are designed to
hold the sensor and act as target they have a low profile to keep the sensor close to the
wall. The brackets are aluminum, which is required to produce a current flow as
previously described. The brackets are attached to the wall with a quick-setting epoxy
and the sensor is placed into the bracket. The sensor is secured in place by lock nuts.

Figure 2.7 Kaman Mounting Brackets with Pen in Background for Scale

LVDT
Figure 2.8 illustrates the brackets for the LVDT sensor. The brackets are designed to
hold the sensor and the core that fits into the sensor. The bracket to hold the core was
designed identically to the bracket for the Kaman sensor. The bracket that holds the large
outer LVDT casing proved more difficult to design. Since the electronics and sensor are

16

housed in the same body and are larger than the Kaman sensor they required a different
bracket. In order to reduce the thermal effects of the LVDT casing, only the front of the
sensor is epoxyed to the bracket. Thus expansion of the bracket and/or LVDT will not
change the results of the crack displacement reading. When the LVDT is mounted care
must be taken in centering the core in the sensor. Failure to center (with respect to either
directions perpendicular to the center axis) may inhibit the core sliding. This centering
should not be a problem if the core in centered because there is ample clearance, and the
large momentum of the moving wall movement would overcome any frictional resistance
between the core and sensor.

Figure 2.8 LVDT Mounting Bracket

SENSOR CONSIDERATION FOR LONG-TERM MOVEMENT

Electronic drift and cyclical temperature changes posed two major challenges. In
order to quantify the effects of these two phenomena the following test was performed.
First, the sensors were mounted on an aluminum block of a known coefficient of thermal
expansion (CTE). Thermocouples, temperature composed of a bi-metallic junction, were
mounted on the block to determine the current temperature. All sensors and electronics
together were subjected to temperatures that cyclically ranged between 20 oC and 31oC

17

(68 oF and 88 oF) during daily temperature changes. Readings where taken every five
minutes for 19-days. The electronics and the sensors followed the same temperatures
during the test by virtue of their identical location.
Figure 2.9 is a plot of output converted to displacement versus temperature during
the 19-day test of the sensors. The increased output at similar temperatures demonstrates
the drift. Figure 2.10 plots the average converted output for each day versus time that
indicates the drift is in only one direction. It is unknown if this drift would have
continued indefinitely however; it is assumed that the drift would have switched
directions and cycled back. (Siebert, 2000)
Computing the theoretical displacement value and comparing it to the measured
displacement value determined the output that should have been produced by the cyclical
temperature change. The theoretical displacement values of the aluminum were
calculated by equation 2.3 and shown by the thick line sloping upward to the right.

(CTE) x (Gap between sensor and target) x (temperature change) = theoretical

(Eqn 2.3)

Ideally the best correlation would be a linear relationship between the theoretical
displacement values and the measured displacement values. Figure 2.9 also shows the
thermal hysteresis loop in a one-day cycle. By looking at a one-day cycle the effect of
electronic drift discussed in the previous paragraph is removed because the electronic
drift is a long-term effect, and should have minimal effect in a one-day cycle. Depending
upon the magnitude of the hysteresis the error of the sensor can be determined. It is
difficult to

18

correct for this error since it depends upon the direction of the temperature change
(heating or cooling). (Siebert, 2000)

COMPENSATION FOR DRIFT AND THERMAL HYSTERESIS

Sensors still require that both drift and thermal hysteresis be minimized. There
are two feasible procedures for overcoming this: a relative correction with a null
displacement sensor or an absolute correction with a mathematical expression. The
absolute correction could be developed from the displacement sensor test described in
this Chapter (Siebert, 2000). The selected displacement sensor should be mounted on a
material with a known CTE. The temperature should be changed at the same rate and
magnitude as the predicted field temperatures. The theoretical displacement and the
actual displacement should be calculated with the procedure described in this chapter so
that a mathematical expression, which will transform the actual displacements into the
theoretical, can be determined. In the field, the temperature of the sensor can be
monitored and the developed expression can be employed to correct the displacement
values. The problem with this method is that electronic drift and cyclical temperature
changes are not taken into account.
The relative method to correct the displacement sensors and the one currently
employed, involves a null displacement sensor attached to an un-cracked section of wall
next to the crack displacement sensor. The null sensor should be identical to the
displacement sensor over the crack except that it is not placed over a crack, but as close
as possible as illustrated in Figure 2.10. All geometry (in the case of the LVDT the
separation distance between the core and electronics) should be the same on both sensors.

21

Figure 2.11 illustrates the relative response of the LVDT. If the temperature increases
and the material that the sensors are mounted on expands, the core will pull out of the
null LVDT while the core of the sensor spanning the crack will be pushed in to the
sensor. This opposite movement of the null sensor should be subtracted to obtain the
actual crack movement. Furthermore any other response of the null should be subtracted
from the crack sensors, as the nulls crack response should be zero. The advantages of
this method is that the temperature does not need to be recorded for the correction and all
effects, such as the mounting brackets material around the crack, as well as electrical drift
and thermal hysteresis are accommodated.

Figure 2.11 Null Sensor Placement Near-by but not Across the Crack

22

Figure 2.12 Null Sensor Movement is in the Opposite Direction for Rising Temperature When
Continuous Material Between the Transducer and Target Expand

CONCLUSION
After identification of the major challenges of long-term monitoring, several
solutions were developed. It appears that displacement sensors with smaller measuring
ranges may be less sensitive. Additionally, other available micrometer displacement
sensors need to be evaluated. It appears the null sensor approach will be operable for any
transducer; however, an alternative that consumes fewer computer resources would be
highly desirable.

23

CHAPTER 3
HARDWARE
INTRODUCTION
Hardware for the crack monitoring system is composed of a number of
components, which can be subdivided into the server-side at the ITI (Infrastructure
Technology Institute) lab and the client-side at the Phase I test house. The Phase I clientside test site is located at 1908 Sheridan Road Evanston, IL. This field hardware records
changes in crack movement, both long term and transient, as well as fluctuations in the
inside temperature and humidity. The server is currently located at ITI laboratory,
Northwestern University 1801 Maple Ave. Evanston, IL. This server performs all of the
data analysis, which will be discussed in Automation of System, Chapter 4. In addition
to the Phase I hardware, this chapter presents both hardware and software changes
anticipated to be necessary to incorporate a commercial vibration monitor in additional
Phases II-b and III. Anticipated costs of each Phase are discussed in Costs Chapter 7.
Existing vibration monitors are programmed to easily acquired triggered transient
data. Some may not be easily reprogrammed to acquire both triggered and pre arranged,
long-term data. Therefore to avoid extensive software changes an alternative method of
acquiring long-term data may be necessary. One possibility outlined herein involves low
speed data loggers, modem switches and dual wiring of crack displacement sensors.

24

CURRENT SYSTEM PHASE I

The configuration of the current system, Phase I is illustrated in Figure 3.1. On
the left the server or central computer is connected through a modem to the client or field
computer on the right. The field computer in turn is connected to a data acquisition
system that reads information from the transient/long-term displacement sensors as well
as the weather sensors. There are four transient/long-term displacement sensors over
various cracks in the house as well as a temperature and humidity sensor to record the
weather.

Figure 3.1 Phase I Configuration Showing Server-Side Connected to the Client/Field-Side by a Phone
Line

Server Computer
There are a number of considerations that contribute to the robust operation of the
server computer. The first is the processor speed; the faster the processor, the faster the
Java applets operate to convert, normalize, catalog, and display data on the web pages.
The Java applets are described in detail in the Automation of System, Chapter 4. Storage
space is also an important consideration, as each day a file is uploaded to the computer
and analyzed with the Java applet, which creates yet another file. While these files are

25

typically under 1Mb, after several months they will consume larger amounts of storage, it
is also anticipated that there will be a number of client sites recording data. In addition
the DB2 database, WinTCS, EASE, and other software must be loaded onto the server,
which also consumes space. Finally, The server computer must incorporate a high-speed
modem for communication with the client hardware in the field.
It is anticipated that in the Phase III or final configuration, the communication and
data logging will be a function of the commercial vibration monitor linked to a modem.
In Phase I it was necessary to employ hardware that was familiar to the research team and
which was on hand. During the initial Phase, proof of concept, rather than compact
configuration was the primary goal. Thus description of Phase I realistically includes two
processors because the data acquisition system did not have the capability of
communication with a modem.

Client Side Field Computer

In the Phase I configuration the field computer is required primarily for
communication. It serves as a link between the data acquisition system and the server
computer with its built in modem. Both should not be necessary with most vibration
monitors. Speed, power, and size were the only concerns in Phase I because of the
temporary nature of the component. A stripped down 500MHZ computer with 24MB of
RAM, 8.4 GB hard drive, and a 44x CD-ROM, equipped with Windows 98 was
purchased. A CD-ROM was added to facilitate installation of software. This minimal
configuration was more than adequate. Though unnecessary, the purchased computer
came with a large hard drive that allows an excess of data storage.

26

Client Side Data Acquisition System

A Somat 2100 turbo is employed for the client side data acquisition system. It is
made up of several machined aluminum alloy layers with rubber gaskets to seal out
moisture and dust. Each layer contains 8 threaded holes that are screwed together to form
a tight system known as a stack. When stacked an assembled sandwich of these
components is shown in Figure 3.2. The data acquisition system records information
from various sensors in digital form. Each layer has a specific task in the data acquisition
process. The basic system contains a processor layer and a power/communications layer.

Figure 3.2 Phase I Schematic and Photo of Somat Data Acquisition System

The basic system is approximately 12.7cm x 7.6cm x 5.1cm with each additional
layer adding 1.3cm to the height. The weight of the basic system is 1.3 kg. with each
additional layer adding .14 kg. The current system contains the basic system (two layers)

27

plus six additional layers to obtain data. These additional layers will be discussed in
detail in the following sections.
The Somats current options for communications are limited since it may only be
directly connected to a computer or communicate over a radio transmitter. Direct
communication via modem will not be supported until the next software update in April
2000. Unfortunately communication over a radio transmitter has a limited range,
typically a 20-mile maximum if unobstructed. In addition to range limitation, it can be
difficult to obtain a clear radio connection without interference from other electrical
instruments. Because of these challenges, radio linkage was left for addition at a later
date.

Layers
The Somat operates with a variety of different types of layers. Figure 3.3 shows a
typical size and dimension of a Somat layer. There are four different types of layers
stacked in Phase I: 1) processor, power/communications, 2) extended memory, 3) 8-bit
A/D converter, and 4) 12-bit A/D converter. Each channel can be identified by the
symbols on the front. Figure 3.4 describes these symbols and the layer to which they
correspond. The processor layer forms the core of the system, holding the circuitry
needed to support the microprocessor and 32k of base memory. The
power/communications layer provides regulated power to the other parts of the Somat
and provides a serial communication port to link the Somat to a computer. The extended
memory layer provides 4 MB of extra storage memory required for the Phase I system.

28

Figure 3.3 Individual Somat Layer

Figure 3.4 Somat Layer Definitions

The 8-bit A/D converter layer transforms transducer analog voltages to digital
form. Since it has limited resolution it is employed with temperature and humidity data,
for which 2^8 = 256 levels of resolution are sufficient. No external signal conditioning

29

is required and the transducer can be connected directly to the system. The 12-bit A/D
converter digitizes crack movement signals, as they require greater resolution. Again no
external signal conditioning is required and the transducer can be connected directly to
the system. The resolution of this layer is 2^12 = 4096 subdivisions of the full-scale
range.
From this point forward the Somat with all of the aforementioned layers will be
referred to as the stack. Before each layer is screwed together in the stack, the jumpers
must be set in the correct position. A jumper is a cluster of pins on a layer. When certain
combinations of the pins are connected it indicates to the layer what kind of data it will
receive. The software WinTCS provides diagrams for the setup of the jumpers for each
layer, the next section will discuss where this is located.

WinTCS
The Somat Test Control Software for Windows, WinTCS (Somat, 1999) program
provides a Windows 95/98/2000/NT interface between the Somat 2100 system and the
field computer. WinTCS allows the user to; setup a test; start and stop test; collect and
store test data; and upload data to the field computer. A complete and detailed
description of how WinTCS is operated for the current Phase I system is located in an
internal report prepared for the Infrastructure Technology Institute (Siebert, 2000) .

Sensors to Measure Displacement

While a wide variety of sensors can be employed to measure crack displacement,
the Phase I system relies on LVDTs. A full description of the LVDT (Linear Variable

30

Differential Transducer) is presented in the Sensor chapter. Connection to the Somat is

accomplished by a Lemo connecter, the brand employed by Somat to link sensors to the
stack. The LVDT does not have an internal power source and must be wired to allow
connection to the power strip. For complete wiring details refer to the LVDT manual
(Macrosensor, 1999). Sensors should be located as close to the data acquisition system as
possible to reduce the possibility of electrical noise in the data.

Sensors to Measure Weather

As with displacement, various types of sensors can be employed to measure
temperature and humidity. For the Phase I system temperature and humidity are
measured with a single Omega sensor (Omega, 1989) shown in Figure 3.5. It uses a thin
film polymer capacitor to sense relative humidity, and the temperature sensor is a thin
film permalloy. Figure 3.6 shows the required wiring. In order to connect the Omega to
the Somat, both the relative humidity and the temperature sensors need to be wired to a
Lemo connector. As with the LVDTs the Omega does not have an internal power source
and must be wired to allow connection to a power strip. For complete wiring detail refer
to the Omega manual (Omega, 1989). Again temperature and humidity sensors should be
placed as close to the data acquisition system as possible to reduce the electrical noise in
the data.

31

Figure 3.5 Omega Weather Sensor

Figure 3.6 Omega Wiring Diagram

Mounting of Sensors
Mounting of the various sensors can be a quick, painless process if several
preliminary steps are followed. First, it is necessary to map out the location of the
sensors and data acquisition system and precut wires to 10% greater than this length.
Then the tool list is required. Lastly, it is important to practice with a mock installation
of the system in the lab to identify problem areas and tools before traveling to the site.
The following list is tools that should be taken. Depending on the site more may
be required.

32

Crimpers
Wire cutters
Flat and Philips head screw drivers
of various sizes
Voltmeter
Wrenches of various sizes
Break-out box
Pliers
Wire ties

Tape
Heat gun
Solder kit

Razor blade
Hammer
Epoxy
Paper towels
Gloves, safety glasses

For the Phase I installation the sensors were mounted on walls with a quick
setting epoxy, Araldite 90-second. The epoxy needs to be mixed thoroughly, and once
mixed there is a 90-second window before the epoxy sets. The epoxy must be strong
enough to hold the sensors on the wall with a minimal amount of creep. In this case
creep is the slow movement of the sensor due to gravity.
Once the sensors are fastened to the wall, the LVDTs cores must be centered
within their measuring range. A breakout box and a voltmeter are necessary to
accomplish this. A breakout box is a small instrument that allows a sensor to be
connected to the Somat and still allows a voltmeter to read the output of the sensor. The
goal is to move the core until the voltmeter reads 0.000 millivolts. Once centered the
core must be locked off by tightening the nut on the bolt attached to the core. If the crack
moves out of range the same procedure can be employed for readjustment.
Selection of the wire to connect the sensors to the Somat is important for
electrical reasons. The better insulated and shielded the wire, the less outside electrical
noise will influence the system. Any extra wire should be coiled next to the Somat to be
kept out of the way. A wrapping technique to reduce electrical noise is to coil one half of

33

the wire in one direction and the other half in opposite direction, which should cancel out
any electrical noise in that portion of the wire.

PHASE II AND III TRANSITION TO TYPICAL VIBRATION MONITORING

HARDWARE
The ultimate goal (Phase III) is to substitute a vibration monitor for the current
Phase I computer and data acquisition system. In order to facilitate this transition Phase
II will be divided into a and b. Typical vibration monitoring equipment measures ground
movements and air blasts with multichannel A/D converters linked to a processor with
communication capabilities. Several hardware modifications are needed to facilitate this
transition. Modifications are required because typical vibration monitoring hardware
may only record triggered transient data and not pre-timed long-term data. To make this
system attractive as possible for a broad range of vibration monitors, it was thought
necessary to reduce the rewriting of software for standard vibration monitors to zero if
possible.
First, since the vibration monitoring hardware may only handle triggered data, an
additional long-term data acquisition system could be employed. Second, both the data
acquisition system and the monitor have built in modems. So the field computer of Phase
I can be eliminated since its primary function is communication. Third, in order to access
the data, a phone line will need to be present and a modem splitter will need to be
employed to cycle between the vibration monitoring hardware and the long-term data

34

acquisition system. The following Phase III system that is proposed is only one
possibility. There are many substitute products that can be interchanged.

Phase II Transition
In order to facilitate the transition from Phase I to Phase III, Phase II-a and II-b
will be employed. Figure 3.7 illustrates Phase II-a, which is the addition of vibration
monitoring transducers to Phase I. Phase II-b shown in Figure 3.8 will emulate a system
with a standard vibration monitor by including the addition of a low speed data
acquisition system and a modem splitter. The following section describes in detail these
changes.

Figure 3.7 Phase II-a Configuration

35

Figure 3.8 Phase II-b Configuration

Vibration monitoring devices measure three axes of ground motion as well as air
blast pressure. These components will be added in Phase II-a to the current Phase I
Somat data acquisition system. The only hardware changes to the current system that are
required are the addition of four 8-bit channels.

Data Acquisition System for Long-term and Weather Data

In Phase II-b, after the addition of the vibration monitoring transducers in II-a, a
low speed data acquisition system will be added along with a modem splitter. The low
speed data acquisition system will record the long-term sensor data. The current Somat
data acquisition system will need to be configured to emulate a typical vibration monitor.
The proposed data acquisition system is one of many such systems on the market, and
further research for other systems may be required. The system proposed is the
SmartReaderPlus, a 12-bit data logger approximately 10.7cm x 7.4cm x 2.5cm with a

36

weight is 5 oz. It is available with up to 1.5Mb of memory. The SmartReaderPlus has

eight channels available, one internal thermistor to record temperature and seven analog
inputs. Data can be sampled from every eight seconds up to every eight hours. This
system meets all the requirements. It is accessible over a modem, has an adequate
number of channels, has an adequate sample rate, and is small.

Modem Splitter
A modem splitter is required in order to switch between the field computer
connected to the Somat and the long-term data acquisition system. The modem splitter
proposed is a code-operated switch II (COS II) that allows the users to control up to eight
serial devices from the server computer, and is approximately 5.8cm x 31.0cm x 27.9cm
and weighs 3.6 kg. The server computer calls the client-side modem splitter, which is
connected to the field computer and the data acquisition system, and enters a code that
will toggle between the two devices.

Phase III Transition

The required hardware changes to transition from Phase II-b to Phase III, are
illustrated in Figure 3.9. The field computer and Somat data acquisition system will be
removed and replaced by a typical vibration monitor. There are two options for Phase III
that depend upon the capabilities of the monitoring device employed. Typical monitoring
devices vary from system to system, but they all measure ground motions [Longitudinal,
Vertical, and Transverse (L, V, and T)] and air blast overpressure. It is assumed that
there is the potential for four additional sensors. It will be further assumed the devices

37

also have a built in modem to facilitate communication. The server side of the system
will be designed so the vibration monitoring device will only have to record transient,
habitation, construction vibration. All computations and analysis will be performed on
the server computer after the data have been uploaded. This approach allows for
compatibility in the design with any monitoring device because no modification of the
device is required to operate with this system. If vibration monitor software is specially
written the long term data acquisition system would also be removed and replacing it
with a typical vibration monitor.
Server
Computer

Field
Computers
Sensors
Long-term Data
Acquisition
System

Phone Line

Modem
Splitter

Vibration
Monitor
or

Sensors

Phone Line

Vibration
Monitor

Figure 3.9 Phase III Configurations Showing Options (a) Without Additional Vibration Monitoring
Software and (b) With Additional Software written for Typical Vibration Monitors

38

Sensors
Transition to a typical monitoring system in Phases II and III should have no
effect on the sensors employed to measure displacement or weather. The long-term data
acquisition system suggested above has a built in temperature sensor that would eliminate
the need for an additional temperature sensor. The only change may be the wiring of the
displacement sensors. If vibration monitoring software is not rewritten, as explained they
would need to be wired to both the data acquisition system and the typical monitoring
system, as illustrated in Figure 3.9

CONCLUSION
This Chapter outlined the current Phase I system hardware as well as the changes
that are required when Phase II and III are implemented. By subdividing Phase II into
two small steps ensure that progress is continual and does not depend upon full
integration of typical vibration monitors until the very end of the project. The ultimate
goal by Phase III is to have a system that can be marketed to companies manufacturing
typical vibration monitor.

39

CHAPTER 4
AUTOMATION OF SYSTEM
INTRODUCTION
This Chapter discusses the automation of the current Phase I system as well as
what is required substitute to typical vibration monitoring equipment for the present field
computer in Phase II and III. The software, input files, output files, and scripts are
explained in detail. The transition that is required for compatibility with typical vibration
monitoring equipment is a very important aspect of the project and is described in detail
in order to facilitate the transition.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
AutoMate (Unisyn, 2000) is a software tool for Windows computers that enables
autonomous entry of commands in multiple applications without manually pressing keys
or employing macrocodes. AutoMate breaks down common user actions into basic tasks.
These tasks are built step by step in logical progressions. They take the place of human
induced commands. Once triggered at a scheduled time, AutoMate carries out "actions"
in the order specified during the task without human assistance.

40

CURRENT PHASE I SYSTEM

There are two current computers running separate AutoMate tasks in Phase I, the
field and the server computer. Figure 4.1 illustrates the current tasks AutoMate performs
at both the field and server computer. The complete AutoMate task for both field (left
side of Figure) and server (right side of Figure) computers are given in an internal report
prepared for Infrastructure Technology Institute (Siebert, 2000).

Uploading Data From Field Computer

As shown in Figure 4.1 every day, at 12:01 am on the internal clock of the field
computer, the AutoMate task (sheridanfield.amt) is initiated. From this point on this task
will be referred to as SF. This task saves the current days data into a specified folder on
the hard drive of the field computer. SF is performed at 12:01 am because it represents
the end of a calendar day. This timing allows the system to operate on a standard 24hour day schedule. AutoMate first opens WinTCS. WinTCS (Somat, 1999) is a software
package supplied by Somat as an operating system for its data acquisition system, which
is described in detail in Chapter Hardware. AutoMates first task is to stop the data
acquisition system from recording information. AutoMate then uploads the data recorded
during the last 24 hours. AutoMate contains a unique features that allows the current
date and time to be added to the data file. The data is stored in a directory on the field
computer with the following format (dataddmmy.dat). This file is a typical compressed
data file from the Somat data acquisition system.

41

The memory must then be cleared on the Somat before a new test can be started.
Memory is cleared by AutoMate by loading the initialization file (sheridan.ini), which is
described in detail in Hardware Chapter 3. Changes to the initialization file can be made
at any time, during the running of test, and will take effect when the file is reloaded by
AutoMate.
Once the initialization file is loaded, AutoMate directs the data acquisition system
to clear the current memory. AutoMate waits until a completion window is displayed on
the screen before continuing. This pausing is another very powerful tool in AutoMate, as
it will wait for a specified window to appear before continuing its current task. Once the
initialization is complete AutoMate starts a new test. WinTCS is then closed. The
approximate time to perform SF is five minutes. The time varies due to the .dat file
size and time required to clear the memory.

Server Computer
File transfer
Every night at 1:00 am on the internal clock of the server computer, the AutoMate
task (sheridan.amt) is initiated, from this point on the task will be referred to as SS. SS
uploads the data from the field computer and converts it to a text format. The only
constraint on when SS is performed is that the field computer must be finished with SF
before it begins. The sooner SS is run the sooner the web page is updated with the
previous day's data.
In order to communicate with the field computer, the server computer runs SS,
which opens PCAnywhere. PCAnywhere (Symantec, 2000) is a remote access program

43

that allows the user to communicate with another PC via the Internet or, in this case, a
modem. PCAnywhere is employed for field system modification and file transfer;
however it must be loaded on both computers, each of which must contain a modem.
AutoMate runs the script file (sheridan.pca) in PCAnywhere. PCAnywhere dials the
access number to reach the field computer. Once connected PCAnywhere performs a
check on the specified directory on the field computer. Any files contained on the field
computer that are not in the server directory are transferred to the server computer. Once
the transfer is complete PCAnywhere disconnects from the field computer.
Unfortunately there is not a window that appears upon completion of the file transfer.
Therefore, AutoMate is simply given a five-minute pause before it performs its next task,
ample time for PCAnywhere to perform the file transfer.

Text conversion
After the five-minute pause AutoMate opens EASE (Somat, 1999), a data analysis
program from Somat. EASE reads data from virtually any source, from any number of
files, and from any number of channels simultaneously, rendering the type of data
acquisition system irrelevant. EASE also saves the data once it is open in a variety of
formats, such as ASCII text files. Once in EASE, the first task is to clear the program of
any previously selected channels. This is accomplished by opening the channels list
window. All channels are then selected and removed from the channels list. A complete
description on this clearance can be found in an internal report prepared for Infrastructure
Technology Institute (Siebert, 2000).

44

Once the previously selected channels have been removed from the channels list,
AutoMate opens the file that PCAnywhere has just transferred by listing the directory
and file name (In this case C:\iti_web\sheridan\data\dataddmmyy.dat). Once the file has
been opened all of the channels are selected. A complete description of this selection can
be found in an internal report prepared for Infrastructure Technology Institute (Siebert,
2000). As discussed in the Hardware Chapter, a channel represents data recorded from a
sensor attached to the data acquisition system. SaveAs is selected from the EASE file
menu and, the ASCII text with header option is chosen. The Java script, discussed in
following section, requires the header information in order to perform that data
manipulation. The ASCII text is given a unique name with the following format for
consistency with the .dat file, textddmmyy.txt. Finally the channel information is cleared
from the channel list in the same manner as before and EASE is closed.

Java applet for ASCII text file analysis

The last task AutoMate performs is to run the Java applets (a web based
programming language) which analyze the text file and create graphs for display on the
web page. A small script file within the Java applet called a servlet extends the
functionality of the web server. Complete Java servlet scripts with explanation are given
in an internal report prepared for Infrastructure Technology Institute (Siebert, 2000). A
typical text file with a vibration event is reproduced in an internal report prepared for
Infrastructure Technology Institute (Siebert, 2000). The text file, created from the
original data file by AutoMate and EASE, is divided into three sections, header
information, four-hour data, and vibration data. The first section, or header information,

45

contains each channel recorded, the number of data points in each channel, the time the
test was started, and other test information. The second section, or four-hour data,
contains long-term sensor and weather data. The final section, or vibration data, contains
the transient sensor data.
The Java script opens the text file with the current date. The header information
is removed and set aside. The Somat system records time in seconds from the beginning
of the test. That is converted to the modified Julian date, a universal time standard
providing precision down to the millisecond, that is described in an internal report
prepared for Infrastructure Technology Institute (Siebert, 2000).

Database structure
The database currently running on the web server is IBM DB2, a relational
database that stores all data for the project and allows queries for certain time periods.
All data can be accessed by the modified Julian date. The three databases required for
the current configuration are four-hour data, maximum of transient or burst data, and all
burst data, which will be referred to as 4H, Max, and All respectively. The term burst
refers to the data collected during a vibration event.
Four-hour data stores temperature, humidity and displacement taken at four-hour
intervals. The maximum of burst data stores Julian date and the absolute maximum from
the first data point that occurred at that time. The all burst data stores Julian date and
all one thousand points for each vibration event time-histories. While any number of
points may be stored, one thousand was chosen for this Phase. During Phase III the
number of data points will increase to 5000 or more and represent 50 or more seconds.

46

Four-hour data (4H)

These data are grouped into six one-second or thousand-point bursts for a total of
six thousand points in twenty-four hours. Every four hours a one-second thousand-point
burst is recorded. The thousand points in each four-hour reading must be averaged to
eliminate the electronic noise from the system. This averaging produces six data points
for each channel, one every four hours for each twenty-four hour day. The Java script
takes this information and appends the information onto the four-hour data table with the
appropriate Julian date. The data are recorded in volts that must be converted into
displacements for the displacement sensors. The Java script converts volts to
micrometers before saving the information in the database. The current sensors
conversion from volts to millimeters is 0.127 mm/v or: Volts * 127 = Micrometers.

Vibration data
The Java script reads the last list of information from the data file, vibration data.
The Somat records the vibration data in one thousand point bursts. The number of
vibration bursts depends upon the number of vibration events for the day. The Java script
determines the absolute maximum and minimum displacement during each one thousandpoint vibration event. These data are also converted into micrometers and stored in the
vibration event database that can be accessed later by the Julian date.

47

Dynamic generation of graphs for web site

Java servlets also dynamically generate graphs for the web site (Kosnik, 2000).
They take the place of other server-side counterparts and eliminate the need for clientside applets. The servlet can read from and write to the databases previously created
(4H, Max and, All). Server-side refers to the server computer performing data analysis
and graphing. While client-side refers to web viewers computers. Graphing at the clients
would require the viewers web browser to perform this analysis. Elimination of client
side applets allows for quick loading of the web site with any version browser or speed
connection. Web design strategies are discussed in Web Design Chapter 6.
As discussed in Web Design Chapter 6 and illustrated in Figure 4.2 there are five
types of plots required in Phase I for presentation on the web page. All plots show
variation with respect to time of:
1.

humidity

2.

temperature

3.

long term crack displacement compared to humidity

4.

long term crack displacement compared to temperature

5.

transient crack displacement from habitation and/or construction vibrations

superposed on long term changes

48

Each of these plots is graphed for a variety of time intervals that range from the past
twenty-four hours, week, month, and year. In addition, the dashed boxes on the left side
of the Figure indicate additional plots and data that will be required in Phase II and III.
Process
The complete process involved in creating these graphs with the Java applet is
located in an internal report prepared for Infrastructure Technology Institute (Siebert,
2000). The viewers browser sends a request for one of the various types of plots and a
time interval. The servlet takes the request and queries the appropriate database. Data
retrieved from the database is parsed into a format suitable for the graphing package.
The servlet initiates the graphing program and captures an image of the graph. The graph
is sent to the user as a GIF image.

PHASE II TRANSITION
Hardware change for transition to Phase II
Figure 4.3 illustrates the hardware changes that are required for the transition to
Phase II-a as discussed in the Hardware Chapter. The ultimate goal is to modify both the
software and hardware to inexpensively incorporate a standard vibration monitor. Phase
II-a will include the addition of vibration monitoring transducers. This addition will
require little change in the reprogramming of the software. The only change will be the
addition of four columns of data from the vibration monitoring transducers (Longitudinal,
Vertical, Transverse, and air blasts).

50

As discussed in Hardware, Chapter 3, Phase II-b, illustrated in Figure 4.4, will

include the addition of a low speed data acquisition system and a modem splitter. It is
anticipated that typical vibration monitors can only capture triggered/transient
information without extensive reprogramming. Therefore a separate low speed data
acquisition system might be employed for the long-term weather and sensor data with
vibration monitors that do no already have such a provision. The Somat data acquisition
system will need to be configured to emulate a typical vibration monitor would acquire
data. A modem splitter must be employed in this Phase to switch between the Somat data
acquisition system and the low speed data acquisition system, which is designed to
directly communicate via a modem.

AutoMate changes for transition to Phase II

Figure 4.5 illustrates the required steps that AutoMate will need to perform when
the system is transferred to the new equipment in Phase II-b. The addition of the
vibration monitoring transducers in Phase II-a will require no modification of the
AutoMate files in Phase II-b. AutoMate first opens PCAnywhere and runs the script file
(1.pca). This script file dials the access number for the field hardware and contains the
modem splitter code to access the Somat data acquisition system. Once connected
AutoMate stops the current test, then saves files with a unique name tranyymmdd.xxx,
clears the memory of the field equipment, and new test is started. PCAnywhere is then
closed, disconnecting from the field equipment.

52

Next, AutoMate opens PCAnywhere and runs script file (2.pca). This script file
performs the same tasks as before except the modem splitter code now accesses the low
speed data acquisition system with the long-term sensor and weather data, and the files
are saved with the following name sensyymmdd.xxx.
After both data files are saved on the server, AutoMate opens EASE. Once in
EASE, the first task is to clear the program of any previous data, by opening the window
with current files in memory. All files are then selected and removed from EASEs
memory. Once the previous files have been removed from memory AutoMate opens the
files one by one, that PCAnywhere has just transferred, and begins the text conversion
process by listing the directory and file name (ex. C:\iti_web\sheridan\tranyymmdd.xxx).
Once each file has been opened, all of the channels are selected. After the selection of
the channels SaveAs is selected from the EASE file menu. ASCII text is selected and is
given a unique name with the following format tranddmmyy.txt. Finally the channel
information is cleared from memory in the same manner as before. AutoMate then opens
the second file sensyymmdd.xxx and performs the same tasks ending with the closing of
the program EASE. For complete description on selection and deleting of channels refer
to an internal report prepared for Infrastructure Technology Institute (Siebert, 2000).

Changes to the Java applet for transition to Phase II

The changes that are required in the Java applet in Phase II-a for the ASCII text
analysis are the addition of the three components of ground motion (L, V, and T) and air
blast pressures. The same procedure as discussed previously in this Chapter is applied to

55

this new data. The additional data should cause little programming problems in this
Phase.
The changes that are required in the Java applet in Phase II-b for the ASCII text
analysis are the addition of a different number of data points, ground motion, air blasts,
and two data files instead of one. The file tranyymmdd.xxx contains data from a typical
vibration monitor that records ground motion in three components longitudinal, vertical,
and transverse (L, V, and T). In addition to the ground motion data, the system records
the air blasts pressure time histories. Transient motion will occur over longer time spans
of five to fifteen seconds (5000 to 15,000 points at 1000Hz sample rate) thus the record
length will change from the thousand-point burst record in Phase I. As before the sensor
voltages must be converted to displacements and the absolute maximum must be found.
This information must also be saved in a database and have the ability to be keyed by the
Julian date.
The file sensyymmdd.xxx contains the long-term sensor voltages. This data
should look similar to the Phase I system. This data must be averaged, converted to
microinches, and saved in a database with the Julian time stamp. The database format
should be made identical to the original database. This will create no change in the
graphing program.
Once the data has been placed in the various databases the creation of the graphs
should be identical. Only the addition of ground motion and air blasts to the transient
data is required.

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Graph generation changes for transition to Phase II

As stated before the changing of the system in Phase II-a or II-b should not
change the structure of the databases (4H, Max, and All). The additional ground motion
and air blast data can be plotted with the vibration data. Figure 4.6 demonstrates the
similarity of a typical graph showing the three components of ground motion, air blast
and crack sensor displacement.

Figure 4.6 Comparison of Ground Motion and Air Blast Time-histories (L,V,T, and Air) with Crack
Movement Time-histories

The All database in Phase II-b will now include a minimum of five thousand
points for each vibration event at each sensor as well as, the three components of ground
motions (L, V, and T) and air blast pressure.

TRANSITION PHASE II TO PHASE III

The transition from Phase II to Phase III should require no modification of the
system. Since Phase II mimics the mock system that will be marketed to various
companies, Phase III should require no changes over Phase II.

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LIMITATIONS
There are a few limitations to the system that must be considered, as it is currently
configured and operated. When the AutoMate tasks are being performed the server
computer cannot be used for any other purpose. This should not be a problem if
AutoMate is set to run late at night when the computer will not be in use. A solution to
this singular operation is to purchase a duel processor computer for a server. Thus one
processor can be dedicated to data analysis and graphing while the other can remain
active for queries to the database from web users. The server must remain on at all times
so the web site can be accessed and so the AutoMate script can run. Also, the AutoMate
date function can only enter the current date. When the file is uploaded at 12:01 am the
name given to the data is a day off. This offset is easily accounted for in the data
conversion program.
The communication between the server and field equipment can take place only
over a modem. Phone lines or a reliable cellular phone signal must therefore be available
for both the field and the server computer.

CONCLUSIONS
Features of AutoMate transform standard Somat data acquisition software to an
automated version. This automation then coordinates the field and computer computers
to store data obtained at pre arranged long term and weather times as well as transient

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vibration data that occur at random times. Consolidating all computations at the server
allows use of systems with standard vibration monitors.
Web operation is simplified by production of all graphs at the server though
server-side applets. Thus any browser may be employed to access data, and the widest of
audiences is ensured.

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CHAPTER 5
MEASURED RESPONSE
INTRODUCTION
This Chapter compares time histories of crack response with those of inside
temperature and humidity as measured with the Phase I system at 1908 Sheridan Road.
Furthermore the long-term displacements are compared with habitational vibration
responses. The measurements confirm that crack displacement is greatly affected by
weather and habitational vibration. First, a description of various long-term weather and
habitational responses of the test house will be analyzed. Next, applications of the null
sensor correction will be presented to demonstrate its effect. Finally, additional data will
be identified to be analyzed in Phase II and III.

1908 SHERIDAN ROAD TEST HOUSE

House description and sensor location
As shown by the photograph of the outside of the house in Figure 5.1, the Phase I
test house is a three-story wood-frame structure with a basement. Three displacement
sensors (from now on referred to as basement, stairs, and first floor), one null sensor, one
humidity sensor, and one temperature sensor were placed in a cluster about the back

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stairwell. As discussed in the sensor section, the temperature and humidity sensor are
housed in the same box and will be called the weather sensors. A plan and an elevation
view of the core stairway in which the sensors were placed can be viewed in Figures 5.2
and 5.3. Their locations were determined by the presence of large cracks. These cracks
were determined to be active as the facility was plastered and painted only two years ago
and the cracks have already become obvious.

Figure 5.1 1908 Sheridan Road

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Figure 5.2 Plan View of House with Sensor Location

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Figure 5.3 Elevation View of House with Sensor Location

The description of the sensors begins in the basement where the null sensor and
the first crack displacement sensor (basement) are located. The photograph shown in
Figure 5.4 shows the basement of the house. The photo shown in Figure 5.5 pinpoints
the crack over which the basement sensor is placed. The location of the null sensor with
respect to the basement sensor can be seen in Figure 5.6.

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Figure 5.4 Basement of House

Figure 5.5 Basement Sensor

Figure 5.6 Basement and Null Sensor

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The weather sensors and the second crack displacement sensor (stairs) are located
under the stairs that lead down to the basement as shown photographs in Figures 5.7 and
5.8 is placed. Photographs in Figure 5.9 and 5.10 show separation distances and size of
the weather sensor with respect to the stairs sensor. The crack appears to be at the
connection of the stairs to the first floor. Figure 5.11 illustrates a typical framing detail of
similar stairs. The crack could have formed due to of incorrect construction of the stair
framing.

Figure 5.7 Weather Sensors

Figure 5.8 Stairs Sensor

Figure 5.9 Weather and Stair Sensor

Figure 5.10 Stairs leading to Basement

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Figure 5.11 Typical Framing Detail for a Stairwell

The third crack displacement sensor (first floor) is located on the wall of the
stairwell between the first and second floors. The first floor sensor and the crack over
which it is positioned are identified in the photograph in Figure 5.12. The photograph in
Figure 5.13 shows the first floor stairwell that leads to the basement and the second floor.

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Figure 5.12 First Floor Sensor

Figure 5.13 First Floor Leading to Basement

The sensors are all located on interior walls within approximately 4 meters of
each other. This proximity is important when the null sensor is taken into account as
discussed below. The system began recording data on December 17, 1999, roughly at the
beginning of the season of intense heating.

Null Sensor Correction

The null sensor response, as described in Micrometer Displacement Sensors,
(Chapter 2), must be subtracted from that of the sensors spanning cracks to eliminate the
effects of electronic drift, thermal hysteresis, and material expansion. The null sensor is
employed to convert all sensors spanning cracks because of their close proximity. Future

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systems may require more or fewer null sensors as a function of the temperature
sensitivity of the electronics. Material effects that are included in the null sensor
correction are the mounting brackets for the sensors and the wall material, in this case
plaster. The reported null sensor displacement vs. temperature over the 100-day test
period is graphed in Figure 5.14. Ideally the graph should show a linear relationship with
temperature change. Figure 5.14 shows a maximum movement of approximately 6.2
micrometers during the 100 days. This movement is not a continuously increasing
function but instead is cyclical, as indicated by the start and end of the 100 days, which is
only 3.0 micrometers apart.
The variance is caused by the electronic drift and material effects and therefore
must be subtracted from the crack displacement sensors data. Subtracting the null sensor
displacement from the crack sensor displacement should reduce the total response of each
crack sensor when plotted vs. temperature, as is illustrated in Figure 5.15. Here, the null
sensors maximum excursion is 2/3 that of a crack spanning sensor. All four displacement
sensors were established with the same distance between sensor and target brackets so
that the correction could be made by simple subtraction.
When viewed against time, as shown in Figure 5.16, the uncorrected and
corrected crack displacement vary during the period. At first the null sensor correction
data tends to simply displace the values upward but does not change relative short-term
amplitude. Toward the end the corrections are much smaller and again do not change the
amplitude of the opening and closing cycle. Null sensor displacement with time is shown
in Figure 5.17 and illustrates that early in the test there is greater displacement that
requires correction, while towards the end of the test there is less displacement from the

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initial reading at time zero. An internal report prepared for Infrastructure

Technology Institute (Siebert, 2000) illustrates the corrected displacement of each sensor
in the test house.

Crack Displacement vs. Weather

Crack displacement is greatly affected by variations in the temperature and
humidity. During the winter the house is heated almost continually, which dramatically
lowers the inside humidity, and dries out the wood framing. This combined effect of
increased heat and decreased humidity cause the reactive materials in the house, such as
wood, to shrink, which leads to structural distortion and associated crack movement. In
the summer the opposite effects occur. The house is not heated and the natural humidity,
which is much greater during the summer increases in accordance with area climate.
This theory is substantiated by Figure 5.18, which shows the heat consumption for a
typical house for the past two years. The heat consumption, measured in therms,
increases in the winter months, November to May, and decreases in the summer months,
May to October.
To further confirm this hypothesis of the effect of heating a time history, the first
floor crack displacement is compared to heating degree-days in Figure 5.19. A degreeheating day is defined as the average temperature below 65 degrees for twenty-four
hours. At the beginning, the degree-days were in the teens. Then they increased to two
peaks of fifty to sixty during a severe, mid-January cold period. This extended cold
period causes constant heating of the house and subsequently low humidity inside the
house, which dries out the reactive materials. From February until the end of March the

73

average degree-heating days declines to around fifteen, which allows less heating
and desiccation and thus re-hydrates the reactive material.
This long period of heating causes cracks to react as shown by the response of the
first floor crack in Figure 5.19. As the degree-heating days increase, the crack moves
considerably. As the heating degree-days plateau and begin to decline the crack
stabilizes. As the months progress and the degree-heating days begin to decline, the
materials will gain moisture and the crack will move again.
Effects of temperature and humidity on the basement crack sensor are illustrated
in Figures 5.20a and 5.20b respectively. The right scale on the graphs is that of
temperature (C) or humidity (%), while the left scale indicates crack displacement. .
Figure 5.20a illustrates that when the humidity dips or peaks the basement crack
displacement also dips or peaks. Figure 5.20b shows that when the temperature dips or
peaks the basement crack dips or peaks as well. As discussed above, temperature and
humidity are related and it is difficult to tell which has a greater effect on crack change.
However, Figure 5.21 and 5.22 indicate that there is a greater correlation between the
changes in crack width and humidity than with temperature.
When past research is consulted, shown in Figure 5.23, the same effect
confirming the results can be seen. The circles indicate large crack movements
associated with large changes in humidity. The other sensors in the house show the same
results and can be found in an internal report prepared for Infrastructure Technology
Institute (Siebert, 2000).

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Figure 5.23 Correlation of Humidity and Crack Displacement vs. Time for Another Test House
Showing Correlation of Peak Displacement with Large Changes in Humidity (Dowding, 1996)

Crack Displacement vs. Habitational Vibration

Habitational vibration events such as walking up or down stairs, closing doors,
and simply walking across the floor cause structures to vibrate locally. This local
structural vibration leads to transient crack width variation. Figure 5.24 presents a fourmonth time history of crack movement as measured by all three sensors. Superimposed

80

on the long-term history are the peaks of the habitational crack disturbance. These are all
the events that produced dynamic crack width changes greater than 1.9 micrometers, the
trigger level. The vibration events are added to the plot by taking the maximum and
minimum displacement value during the vibration event and placing them with long term
movements at the time of occurrence. From January 14-21, 2000 the system was down
and no data were recorded because of a failure in the modem connection. This problem
was solved by manually resetting the field computer.
While all of the sensors have vibration events, the stairs sensor is the most
responsive crack as shown by the events on 25 of February. The stairs sensor is also the
most responsive to long-term weather effects. The magnitude of the vibrations for the
basement and first floor sensors are substantially less than that of the sensor stairs. Thus
not all cracks behave the same way in a house and some are more responsive than others.
This observation confirmed by results of past studies is shown Figure 5.23 where C7 was
very responsive, as the stairs are in the Sheridan Road case.
Crack displacement vs. time with habitational vibrations for the sensor stairs is
plotted alone in Figure 5.25 to focus on details of the response. In addition to the time
when the system was down this sensor was out of range from January 21-February 7,
2000. Hence the horizontal line for the sensor displacement during this time period. The
basement in the test house is used for storage and is not a high traffic area. However,
each time a person walks up or down the stairs it produces a large vibration event as
indicated on the graph. The magnitude of the habitational vibration is far larger than the
weekly weather induced vibration events. However even the largest habitation vibration
is not greater than the winter season heating event.

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Furthermore it appears that the crack expands more than it contracts for each of
these habitational vibration events. This can be explained with the detailed three-second
vibration event of the author running up the stairs marked on Figure 5.26. As each stair
is impacted it produces a new vibration event on the graph. Each individual step on the
stairs adds to the crack in width that gives the appearance in Figure 5.25 that the crack is
only expanding with transient movement. In this case the crack does not immediately
return to the pre-vibration width. However before the next four-hour reading the crack
has returned to its pre-vibration width, as indicated by the return in Figure 5.25. The
response to the added human weight on the stairs is somewhat viscous. This viscous
response may be a result of sliding friction of the LVDT core. Such a viscous response
may not be observed with other sensor types.
The basement sensor is on a wall that abuts the stairs. A person walking down the
stairs also produces a vibration event on this sensor, as seen by the large events in Figure
5.27. These vibration responses are much smaller than those induced at the stairs sensor
because the basement sensor is farther away from the vibration source.
When the door to the basement is shut it produces habitational vibration events on
the basement sensor like that in Figure 5.28. The magnitude of the basement vibration is
substantially less than that of a vibration on the stair sensor. The basement crack returns
to its pre-vibration state that indicates that there is no permanent crack displacement.
Despite heavy stair traffic, Figure 5.29 indicates by the low number of
habitational events that the first floor sensor is the least responsive of the three
displacement sensors to habitational vibration events. A possible explanation for this
could be that the wall on which the sensor is mounted is not connected to the stairs

84

treads stringer. The sensor responds to the heating season as indicated on Figure 5.24 by
the rise at the beginning during the initiation of the intense heat. This difference in
behavior further reinforces that cracks behave differently and are affected by different
vibrations depending on their locations.

COMPARISONS WITH EXPECTED GROUND MOTION RESPONSES

The test house is not located near a quarry or a site that produces construction
induced vibration events so a comparison cannot be made between crack movement and
blast-induced vibration events. However, the current data can be superimposed onto data
from past research in Figure 5.30 for comparison. Here significant (18mm/s peak particle
velocity) blast-induced vibration events produce substantially lower crack displacement
than both habitational vibration and weather events.
Current Test
Time Period

Past Research

50

Displacement (micrometers)

40
30
20
10

-10
-20
First Floor
Crack Displacement

-30
-40

Dynamic Crack Displacement

From 18mm/sec low
Frequency Ground Motion

-50
-60
Sept

Nov

Jan
Time (months)

March

May

Figure 5.30 Comparison with Past Crack Displacement Data to Show Expected Low
Response to Intense Ground Motions

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CONCLUSIONS
Response of the three displacement sensors in the test house demonstrates that all
cracks do not respond the same. Comparisons of long term and transient crack width
changes with the same gauge show that weather and vibration events affect each crack
differently. For example, habitational vibration induced movements on the stairs sensor
were larger than the weather induced movements. Thus the dynamic application of a
localized 70-90 kg stair stepping motion produces a greater effect than the weather. On
the other hand, the basement sensors vibration displacements from habitation events
were on average smaller than the weather-induced changes. Finally, the first floor sensor
had only one visible habitation vibration event, and was affected much more by changes
in weather. The crack with the greatest habitation vibration response also displays the
greatest weather response. Further research at another site in Phase II and III into how
the cracks behave with blast induced vibration events should confirm that weather and
habitational events have a greater impact on crack width.

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CHAPTER 6
WEB DESIGN
INTRODUCTION
The Internet web page is a critical component of autonomous crack monitoring
because it enables access to and displays the information for the public. The web pages
must present clearly, assist interpretation, and explain the live data stream to the lay
public. Primary viewers of the site are assumed to be those who live near a vibration
producer such as a quarry or construction site and not the scientific community.
Furthermore it is assumed that if area residents have access to computers with Internet
capabilities at all, they may not be equipped with the most up-to-date technology.
Therefore, the site must be quick to load and be able to operate on older web browsers.

DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
Several requirements were set forth for the initial web design. First, each page
must load in less than 10 seconds with a 56k modem. Second, the site must be viewable
with any web browser. Third, the site must be easily extensible, as new pages will be
added for other monitoring sites. Fourth, the lay public must be able to easily understand
and navigate through the site.

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A number of features make it possible for the pages to load quickly with modem
connections. Rather than designing a few large pages to present data which require
scrolling, a sequence of many small pages are employed along with a content bar that
displays all options. Each page has a few small or well-compressed images. In some
cases, thumbnail images are used, which are smaller versions of a larger image. The
viewer can enlarge the image by clicking on the thumbnail version. Compression of
graphics also improves the download times. The GIF image format is best suited for
logos, such as the Northwestern and ITI logos, and graphs, whereas JPEG compression is
most effective with photographs. A choice approach with many small pages coupled
with compression of images allows for the presentation of graphical information without
long download times. An added benefit of this approach is a reduced need for scrolling
to unseen options.
In order for the site to be useful to the general public, it must be compatible with
all web browsers. This requirement introduces several constraints to the design. First, no
browser-specific hypertext markup language (HTML) can be used. For example, some
HTML can only be viewed in Netscape Navigator, Microsoft Explorer, or other
designated browser. Furthermore, more recent extensions to the HTML language, which
are not supported by older browsers, cannot be employed. These include: frames which
divide a web site into several distinct windows; JavaScript, a client-side scripting
language which extends the functionality of HTML; and Java applets, client-side program
elements that run in the web browser. To avoid any compatibility issues, only standard
HTML code is employed to display the site.

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A distinction must be made between Java applets, which run in the clients web
browser, and server-side Java programs, which run on the web server. The use of applets
is disallowed by the design specification, as older web browsers do not support this
technology. However, server-side Java programs are used extensively in the back end of
the site, as they do not depend on the capabilities of the clients browser. These programs
are discussed in Automation of the System Chapter 4.
An HTML template is used in order for the web site to be easily extended to
include numerous monitoring sites. This template can be emulated with little difficulty to
produce pages for each new monitoring site, while maintaining a consistent look
throughout the entire site. Since the template is written in standard HTML code it is
easily reproducible.
The most important aspect of the site is that the lay public be able to understand
what they are viewing. Each page on the site must fit onto one computer screen with
little scrolling. Scrolling occurs whenever the user must slide the bar on the right side of
the screen up or down to see all of the page. Such a restriction is accomplished by
inserting a hierarchical side bar as shown in Figure 6.1. The viewer can see all of the
choices on one page without having to use the scroll bar to search. Furthermore all
subsequent pages are restricted to avoid scrolling. The banner and left side choice bar is
repeated on each page, which provides clear and consistent navigation throughout the
site. The bulleted list in the left side bar is visible on every page and allows the user to
reach any page on the web site at all times.

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Figure 6.1 Consistent Banner and Choice Side Bar

CURRENT PHASE I SITE

During this early Phase the site must cater to the needs of its two primary groups:
those who live around a vibration producer such as a quarry a construction site and;
engineers, regulators, and owners who may be interested this approach for research,
project control, public relations, and/or litigation. Initially, surveys of focus groups were
conducted to assess target groups needs and to aid in the design and presentation of the
web site. A copy of this survey and its responses are located in an internal report
prepared for Infrastructure Technology Institute (Siebert, 2000).

OPENING PAGE
As discussed above, neighbors of vibration generating operations are the primary
audience for the web site. Figure 6.2 shows the site is designed for general education on
the behavior of crack movement and graphically presents results of the monitoring site in

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their area. In Phase I the only site in operation is the test house at 1908 Sheridan Road.
The opening page of the site introduces the banner and left bullet topic site bar, which
will remain present on all pages. The left bar organizes the links of monitoring sites for
easy access to residential users. To add credibility to the site, both the Northwestern
University logo and the ITI logo is present on every page and linked to their respective
sites.

Figure 6.2 First World Wide Web Page Showing Consistent Banner and Choice Side Bar

To educate the public, the sidebar (located on the left side of the opening page)
contains a category entitled purpose of the project. The purpose of the project is divided
into three subjects: background, crack movement, and equipment. These pages will not
only assist the lay public to understand crack monitoring but will educate the engineering
and legal communities as well. Figure 6.3 shows the first background page, which

95

presents general information on what is being monitored and why. Currently the page
gives a brief description of what is being monitored and shows example graphs without
explanation. During Phase II and III changes the web page will be updated to explicitly
explain how to interpret the information in the graphs.

Figure 6.3 Background Page that Describes Crack Movement

The crack movement page shown in Figure 6.4 currently describes how cracks are
caused and shows graphs on how cracks typically move based on past research. In Phase
II and III the page will describe where house cracks typically develop. This should
presentation should be followed by graphs of past monitoring sites and how they were
affected by weather and vibration events.

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Figure 6.4 Crack Movement Page that Illustrates the Affects of Ordinary Occurrences

The final page, equipment employed, is shown in Figure 6.5. It presents the
equipment currently in operation at the monitoring site. This page also contains links to
the various manufacturers of the equipment. Photographs of the sensors and the cracks
that they span foster a familiarity with the size of the instruments. Links to
manufacturers sites allow those who want more information about the equipment to find
it easily.

97

Figure 6.5 Page Showing the Computers and Crack Displacement Transducers

Site specific toolbar

After a specific monitoring site is selected, the left side bar will become a sitespecific toolbar beneath the purpose of the project. These options, location, weather
data, and crack displacement shown in Figure 6.6 provide easy navigation through the
monitoring sites pages.

This tool bar, located on the left side of the screen, is always

present so that first-time viewers need not recall contents.

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In Phases II and III the site will need to add security protection on this page.
Access will only be granted to residents near the vibration source through a password.
Only the neighborhood or vibration activity would be visible; the other sites in existence
should not appear on the viewers screen.

General

Site Specific
Figure 6.6 Site Specific Side Bar

Opening page: specific monitoring site

The opening page of the 1908 Sheridan Road monitoring site, Figure 6.2, contains
information about the structure of the house and its location. It also links to a photo

99

gallery that contains pictures of the exterior and interior of the house. These visual aids
allow the viewers to visually identify with the test house and draw comparisons to their
own house or situation.

Location
Location on the side bar in Figure 6.7 provides two options for the information
about the geographical location of the house: a road map, as well as sensor location inside
the house. Figure 6.7 is a copy of the page with the location of the house in the
surrounding city. This page will eventually contain the location of other relevant places
such as the activity producing the vibrations. This map allows the viewer to see the
distance between the test house and the vibration source so that they can relate it to their
distance from the vibration source. Future work on the page will include the addition of
concentric rings emanating from the vibration source at constant distances so viewers can
simply count how far they are located from the source.

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Figure 6.7 House in City Page

The page with the location of the sensors in the house is presented in Figure 6.8,
shows views of both the sensors and the crack. Viewers can visibly compare these cracks
with their own. This page will also be helpful for viewers who are interested in possibly
having sensors installed in their own home or office.

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Figure 6.8 Location of Sensors in House Page

Weather data
Weather data on the side bar currently presents three options: information about
the weather from today, last week, and last month. The weather data for today, illustrated
by Figure 6.9, brings viewers to a page where they can see their current weather after
showing their zip codes. This service is provided free of charge by the Weather Channel.
This option allows viewers to confirm the current weather, more specifically temperature
and humidity, through a third party unrelated to the project. The weekly and monthly
links, Figure 6.10, bring up dynamic graphs which are updated daily, that display the

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temperature and humidity inside the house for the past week or month. The process by
which the graphs are dynamically updated is described in Chapter Automation of System
and in an internal report prepared for Infrastructure Technology Institute (Siebert, 2000).

Figure 6.9 Weather Data for Today Page

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Figure 6.10 Environmental Conditions During the Past Week

Crack Displacement vs.

Crack displacement vs. on the side bar provides three comparisons of long-term
crack displacement with: humidity, temperature or vibration events. Once any selection
is made the viewer is given a list of the sensors available in the house as shown in Figure
6.11. When the desired sensor is selected, they can then choose a time period option of
today, last week, last month, or last year. After the time interval is selected the viewer is

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presented with a dynamically generated graph, as illustrated in Figure 6.12, that shows
the relationship of environmental and vibration changes to the crack over the selected
timeframe.

Figure 6.11 Crack Displacement vs: Sensor Page Showing the Location of the Sensors to be Selected

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Figure 6.12 Example Comparison of Crack Displacement vs: Time with Humidity vs. Time

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MODIFICATION

Simple, quickly transmitted graphics can be combined to present an attractive
image that is easy to understand. This simplicity allows access by the oldest of
computers still in operation. Side bar options prevent long screens that lead to scrolling.
Since sidebars do not consume horizontal space they can remain on all screens so viewers
need not recall possible options.

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Links to third party daily weather and maps lead an air of credibility to the site
without diverting the viewers attention.
During Phase II and III several additions and improvements to the web site are
needed. Currently the site is not password protected. Security will be required for
commercial use to prevent unwanted viewers from exploring the site, and protect the
database from any tampering. However for public relation purposes, security walls pose
a challenge to the design objective of universal access.
Currently in Phase I there are no blast induced vibration events. In Phase II the
system will be moved to a quarry and the web site will need to accommodate this new
information. Each vibration induced crack displacement will be added to the long-term
crack displacement vs. time graphs as shown in Measured Response Chapter 5 Figure
5.23. Each of these vibration events will need to be keyed to its equivalent time history
in the database. When the viewer selects a specific vibration event on the long-term
crack displacement graph, a transient time history of that event will be displayed.
Information currently contained in the background portion of the site needs to be
reviewed and modified to better explain with graphical prompts how to interpret the
graphs, and how cracks behave. Future improvements to the weather information will
include the addition of symbols that pictorially represent low and high temperature and
humidity such as a sun or a snowflake and a cactus or a raindrop.
Finally the web site will need to go live and to allow typical viewers to
comment. This next evaluation should be conducted in connection with potential clients
who would purchase this system.

107

CHAPTER 7
COST
INTRODUCTION
This Chapter presents the cost to construct the Phase I crack monitoring system as
well as estimate the future costs of Phase II and III. Phase II will further be broken down
into Phase II-a and Phase II-b, to facilitate easy placement at a quarry. Phase II will
include purchasing of a typical vibration monitoring system and other equipment required
to emulate a system that can be marketed to various vibration monitoring companies.
Phase III costs are those for a company to purchase the server-side portion, each remote
monitoring site, and displacement sensors for the system.

CURRENT PHASE I SYSTEM COST

The cost of the complete Phase I system as it is currently operating, as described
in the Hardware Chapter is itemized in Table 7.1. The current Phase I system consists of
a server computer, field computer, Somat data acquisition system, four LVDT
displacement sensors, one Omega temperature and humidity sensor, software, and
miscellaneous electronics. The software packages used are WinTCS, EASE,
PCAnywhere, and AutoMate. WinTCS and EASE are software that is free when the
Somat data acquisition system is purchased. There are additional costs of the mounting

108

brackets and epoxy that were not included in the price breakdown because these items
where in stock in the lab and were not purchased. The cost of the server computer was
not included in the total cost of the current system because it was an existing computer,
not purchased for this project. The cost of the software program EASE was also
excluded since it was included with the purchase of the Somat data acquisition system.
However this program will need to be purchased for the Phase III system because the
Somat data acquisition system will no longer be employed but some software to convert
data to an ASCII text file will be required. This need can be satisfied with vibration
monitor interpretation software installed on the server.
Table 7.1 Phase I Cost
Phase I Cost Running 3 Crack and 1 Nul Sensor
Item
Description
Manufacturer
Cost
Qty
Displacement Sensors
LVDT
HSD 750-125
Macrosensor
$ 350.00
4
Weather Sensors
Temp/Humid
HX93U
Omega
$ 210.00
1
A/D Converter and Processor
Somat
$ 690.00
1
Data Acquisition s Processor
Memory
Somat
$ 1,075.00
1
Power
Somat
$ 625.00
1
8-bit
Somat
$ 715.00
2
12-bit
Somat
$ 895.00
4
Software
PCAnywhere
Communication software Symantec
$ 150.00
1
Automate
Automation software
Unisyn
$
60.00
1
WinTCS
Data acq. sys. software
Somat
$
0
EASE
Conversion software
Somat
$ 2,095.00
0
IBM DB2
Database software
IBM
$ 345.00
1
Communications and Data Storage
Field PC
PC with modem
$ 540.00
1
Server PC
PC with modem
Dell
$ 2,300.00
0
Power supply
12v DC 5 amp
Neward
$ 108.00
1
Power Regulators for Equipment
DC-DC converter +-15v
Datel
$
44.00
6
Total System Cost=

Total
$ 1,400.00
$

210.00

$
690.00
$ 1,075.00
$
625.00
$ 1,430.00
$ 3,580.00
$
$
$
$
$

150.00
60.00
345.00

$
$
$

540.00
108.00

$
264.00
$ 10,477.00

109

PHASE II
Phase II is subdivided into II-a and II-b to ensure operability in a quarry as soon
as possible. Phase II-a will only require the addition of three geophones to measure
ground motions and a pressure transducer to measure air blast pressures, which will be
connected to the Phase I system. In order to connect the vibration monitoring transducers
to the current Somat four 8-bit analog input layers are required. These four additional
layers for the Somat will be borrowed from ITI at zero additional cost. Phase II-b
represents the first step in the transition to a typical vibration monitor, it will include the
addition of a low speed data acquisition system and a modem splitter. The costs for
Phase II-a and II-b are listed in Table 7.2 and 7.3 respectively. Many of the items
required, such as software, have already been purchased in Phase I and are not included
in the cost of the Phase II system. The costs outlined in the tables are for use with an
LVDT sensor. This cost will change if a different sensor is selected.
Table 7.2 Additional Cost for Phase II-a
Phase II-a Cost
Item
Description Manufacturer
Cost
Qty
Total
Vibration Monitoring Equipment
Vibration Monitoring GeoPhones/
Geosonics
$ 650.00
1 $ 650.00
Transducers
air pressure
A/D Converter and Processor
Data Acquisition
8-bit
Somat
$ 715.00
4 $
0.00*
system
Total System Cost= $ 650.00
* The Four 8-bit layer will be borrowed from ITI and therefore will cost $0.00

110

Table 7.3 Additional Cost for Phase II-b

Phase II-b Costs
Description Manufacturer
Cost
Qty
Total
A/D Converter and Processor
Data Acquisition SmartReader 7
ACR
$ 1,614.00
1 $ 1,614.00
system
(1.5MB)
Communications and Data Storage
Modem Splitter
$ 430.50
1 $
430.50
Total System Cost= $ 2,044.50
Item

The additional low speed data acquisition system will capture the long-term
sensor data. As discussed in the Hardware Chapter, the modem splitter is required to
switch between the Somat data acquisition system and the low speed data acquisition
system. While the software packages will remain the same, certain scripts will need to be
modified in order to accommodate the new equipment. These modifications are outlined
in Automation of System, Chapter 4.

PHASE III COSTS (COMMERCIAL VIBRATION MONITOR)

Table 7.4 outlines the anticipated Phase III costs for a company to initiate remote
crack vibration monitoring. These costs include substitutions of the field computer and
the Somat data acquisition system and the addition of a typical vibration monitor, as
discussed in detail in the Hardware Chapter. Table 7.4 is divided into three sections:
central server-side start-up cost, minimum cost for each remote monitoring site, and cost
for each additional sensor at those sites. After the installation of the first site the cost
substantially decreases if another site is required because the sites can share the server
side equipment. Once again the costs are based upon the use of LVDTs as the crack

111

sensor devise. This cost will change if different crack sensors are selected. The costs of
all equipment and software tested can be found in an internal report prepared for
Infrastructure Technology Institute (Siebert, 2000).
Table 7.4 Anticipated Costs of Phase III
Item
PCAnywhere
Automate
EASE
IBM DB2
Server PC

LVDT
Temp/Humid

Vibration Monitor

Data Acquisition
system
DC-DC converter
Power supply

Phase III Central Server-Side Start-up Costs

Description
Manufacturer
Cost
Quantity
Software
Software
Symantec
$ 150.00
1
Software
Unisyn
$
60.00
1
Software
Somat
$ 2,095.00
1
Software
IBM
$ 345.00
1
Communications and Data Storage
PC with modem Dell
$ 2,300.00
1
Total Cost=
Minimum Cost For Each Remote Monitoring Site
Displacement Sensors
HSD 750-125
Macrosensor
$ 350.00
Weather Sensors
HX93U
Omega
$ 210.00
Vibration Monitoring Equipment
Microprocessor/
modem
Geosonics
$ 4,000.00
GeoPhones
A/D Converter and Processor
SmartReader 7
ACR
$ 989.00
(32K)
Power Regulators for Equipment
+-15v
Datel
$
44.00
12v DC 5 amp Neward
$ 108.00

Total
$ 150.00
$
60.00
$ 2,095.00
$ 345.00
$ 2,300.00
$ 4,950.00

2 $

700.00

1 $

210.00

1 $ 4,000.00

1 $

989.00

2 $
1 $

88.00
108.00

Communications and Data Storage

Modem Splitter

LVDT
DC-DC converter

430.50

Cost For Each Additional Sensor

Displacement Sensors
HSD 750-125
Macrosensor
$ 350.00
Power Regulators for Equipment
+-15v
Datel
$
44.00

1 $ 430.50
Total Cost= $ 6,525.50

1 $

350.00

1 $
Total Cost= $

44.00
394.00

112

DATA REDUCTION BENEFITS OF CURRENT SYSTEM

Past research in this area required several pieces of equipment taking different
forms of data. Figure 7.1 shows each type of data required. To obtain the long-term
crack movement one system was employed. The weather information required a second
system to obtain temperature and humidity data. A third system was employed to record
vibration events such as ground motion and air blasts. The fourth type data was crack
displacement from vibration events. Integration of this separately recorded data required
considerable effort over long periods of time. Data for projects of four and eight months
duration are shown in Figure 7.2. The integration procedure took place over several
months and required a great deal of keystroking to develop the necessary graphical and
tabular comparisons.

Figure 7.1 Four Different Data Types

Figure 7.2 Two Projects with Six and Eight

Months of Data

The Internet based system provides a mechanism to reduce labor costs of data
compilation. The data are automatically compiled and reduced in the database that
resides on the server. With previous systems, presentation of the data, such as graphs and

113

charts, required a great deal of time and effort to produce. With the integration of the
web site, reduction of data to comparative graphical form not only occurs automatically
but also is easily accessible. Obviously, expenditures of time and money will be greatly
reduced when the system becomes fully integrated with ground motions in Phases II and
III.
Production of the graphs in Measured Response Chapter 5 provides a comparative
example of the savings in effect resulting from automatic data reduction. These graphs in
the response Chapter were produced in only several days from already reduced data that
resided in the DB2 database. For comparison, reduction of the 8 months of data shown in
Figure 7.2 required six months of a graduate students time. Thus it appears that the
automation required for autonomous display may decrease data reduction efforts by
several orders of magnitude.

CONCLUSION
Server-side hardware and software start-up costs of the Phase III system may
seem high however, the addition of each site, and sensors at those sites, is substantially
less. The software programs employed in Phase I will remain essentially the same
throughout Phase II and III but will require reprogramming in order to accommodate the
new equipment. Phase II is broken down into two parts in order to help facilitate this
transition. Cost of data reduction are dramatically reduced by the automatic processing
of the data. The autonomous presentation of data may decrease data reduction efforts by
several orders of magnitude.

114

CHAPTER 8
CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE WORK
CONCLUSIONS
Public concern over construction vibration-induced cracking has led to the
development of a radically new approach to vibration, an autonomous crack
comparometer (ACC). This thesis chronicles the first step of developing equipment and
software necessary for this system. The new system automatically compares long-term
weather induced micrometer changes in crack width with those produced by habitation
ground motion. This comparison is displayed in real time via the Internet without human
interaction.
The Autonomous Crack Comparometer (ACC) effectively illustrates that weather
cycles have the greatest effect on micrometer changes in crack width. While habitational
vibrations cause transient changes in crack width they return to the same position as the
pre-vibration width. The current system is not in a location to receive construction or
quarry ground motions; however when blast induced vibrations from a quarry in past
research are compared with the current data, it is apparent that ground motion should
have the least effect on crack deformation.
Micrometer displacement sensors are affected by electronic drift and thermal
hysteresis. Further research into different sensors is required in order to determine the

115

most accurate sensor for this application. However, changing sensors will not require
changes to other portions of the system. Currently electronic drift and thermal hysteresis
are corrected by subtraction of null sensor response.

FUTURE WORK
The current Phase I system does not measure ground motions or air blasts. To do
so requires additional hardware as well as additional automation software to compare
crack width change to vibration events from construction, mining or quarry operation.
This paper outlines the anticipated changes necessary in order to facilitate this transition.
After this transition is accomplished the final system can be marketed to companies
interested in monitoring crack displacement.
Internet display allows viewers to compare changes in crack width produced by
long-term weather changes to those produced by habitation and vibration motions on a
variety of time scales. Data for the web site are automatically recorded and updated
daily, which eliminate the costly and time consuming manual data analysis and reduction
required with other systems. The web site currently does not have an appropriate
graphical description for quickly interpreting the information on the site. This
description will need to be added before the sites address can be given out to the public
for comments. The site also does not have any security checks such as password
protection. This is an important issue from a legal standpoint and will need to be
addressed in the future.
Upon complete development, the ACC site and concept will have to be evaluated
by installation in a concerned community.

116

REFERENCES
Anderson, L. O. (1970), Wood-Frame House Construction. U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, D.C. Chapter 4.
Dowding, C. H. (1996) Construction Vibrations, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River,
New Jersey, Chapter 13, "Comparison of Environmental and Vibration-Induced
Crack Movement".
Dowding, Charles H. (1999), NSF Proposal: Instrumentation for Microinch Crack
Width Measurement, Department of Civil Engineering, Northwestern University,
Evanston, IL.
Dowding, Charles H. (2000), Personal Communication. Professor, Department of
Civil Engineering Northwestern University, Evanston IL.
Kosnik D. (2000), Personal Communication, Student, Department of Electrical and
Computer Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL.
Kosnik, D. (2000) Java Applet Internal Report, Infrastructure Technology Institute,
Northwestern University, Evanston, IL.
Kosnik, D. et. al, (2000), Autonomous Crack Monitoring, Internal Report for
Infrastructure Technology Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL.
Macrosensor (1999). 815 Hylton Road, Unit #8 Pennsauken, NJ.
http://www.macrosensors.com/ghsa.htm.
Omega Engineering, Inc. (1989). Omega Manual Model HX93 Relative Humidity
and Temperature Transmitter: Operations Manual. One Omega Drive Stamford,
CT.
Siebert, D. (2000), Appendixes for Autonomous Crack Comparometer Phase I.
Internal Report for Infrastructure Technology Institute, Northwestern University,
Evanston, IL.
Somat Corporation, (1999), EASE Ver 3.0 SoMat Corporation 702 West Killarney
Urbana, IL.

117

Somat Corporation, (1999), WinTCS Ver. 1.6.2. SoMat Corporation 702 West
Killarney Urbana, IL.
Symantec Corporation, (2000), PcAnywhere Ver. 9.0 Symantec Corporate Offices,
20330 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino, CA.
Unisyn Software, LLC (2000), AutoMate, Ver. 4.0 3440 Wilshire Boulevard Suite
910, Los Angeles, CA.

118

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

Autonomous Crack Comparometer

Appendixes

By
Damian R Siebert
EVANSTON, IL
June 2000

List of Appendixes
Appendix A: Temperature Correction For All Sensors Tested..A1 A39
Appendix B: WinTCS Program Description...B1 B11
Appendix C: Automate FilesC1 C2
Appendix D: Automate Tips.D1
Appendix E: Java Description.E1 E30
Appendix F: Typical Data File With Vibration Event..F1 F6
Appendix G: Corrected Displacement of All SensorsG1 G4
Appendix H: Sensors Compared With Temperature and HumidityH1 H9
Appendix I: Engineering Design and Communication Report With Surveys..I1 I28
Appendix J: Cost of All Items Considered J1 J2

ii

APPENDIX A
TEMPERATURE CORRECTION
FOR ALL SENSORS TESTED

A1

Appendix B
WinTCS Program Description
WinTCS is installed on both the field and server computer. The program is
started in the same manner as other applications, by double-clicking the icon or by
entering the correct path at the command prompt. Figure B.1 shows the main screen that
appears when the program is opened. This screen is where all WinTCS functions and
activities of the Somat take place. It is displayed constantly while WinTCS is active.
There are two major sections to this screen. The right side contains the current test tree
diagram that graphically represents the elements in the test such as channels, data modes,
and hardware layers used. Appendix B lists the icons used and their description. The left
side lists the toolbar buttons that can be employed during a test.

Figure B.1 WinTCS Opening Screen

B1

Current Test Setup

WinTCS allows the user to setup an initialization file that defines sample rates,
channels and triggers for a test. For a complete description on the setup of a new test for
WinTCS refer to the Somat 2100 FCS Users Guide. The phase I initialization file for
the Somat is shown in Figure B.1. The setup of the data channels and data modes will be
discussed in more detail in the following sections.
Stack Setup
The most important feature in setting up the stack is identifying the master sample
rate. The master sample rate is set in Hertz (Hz, or cycles per second) and is applied to
all the data channels and data modes in the system. The current system is setup to sample
at 1000 Hz/sec., meaning that for every second that data is recorded from each channel
there will be 1000 data points. The sample rates for individual channels and data modes
can be individually set, but cannot exceed the master sample rate.
Raw Data Channels
A data channel identifies for the software the type of layer that was installed in
the stack. As shown in Figure B.2 there are several different types of layers in the stack
there are also several types of channel: phase I configuration includes two 8-bit A/D
converter channels, four 12-bit A/D converter channels, and four computed channel.

B2

Figure B.1 Somat User Window Definitions

The 8-bit channels are used for the temperature and humidity sensors, because
these sensors do not need high resolution as already discussed. One channel is required
for each sensor. Figure B.3 shows the general dialog box to control an 8-bit temperature
channel. There are four sections in this dialog box: general, hardware, calibration, and
control panel. The general dialog box allows the user to set the name of the channel as
well as the maximum and minimum range of the sensor attached to it. The range shown
in this dialog box is for the current temperature sensor, which may change with the
sensor. The next dialog box shown in Figure B.4 shows the hardware setup. This setup
is dependent upon the type of sensor, and the voltage range that the sensor specifies. A
box on the right side of the dialog box may be checked if a digital filter is desired to
reduce electrical noise. The current system does not employ filters because the vibration
B3

monitoring equipment does not have them and a design objective was emulation of such a
monitor. The third dialog box, calibration, must be set in accordance with the sensor.
The last dialog box, control panel, allows the user to visually see the data coming into the
Somat from the sensor.

Figure B.3 8-bit Channel General Dialog Box

B4

Figure B.4 8-bit Channel Hardware Dialog Box

The 12-bit A/D converters are employed for the displacement sensor voltages
because they require the maximum resolution possible as discussed in the Sensor chapter.
One channel is required for each of the four displacement sensors in the current system;
therefore four channels are required. The 12-bit dialog box display is identical to the 8bit dialog box display, except that the values may vary with sensor type. Figure B.5
shows the set up for the current displacement sensor, an LVDT. The full scale minimum
and maximum range is set to +/- 1.6 volts, which is necessary for the required resolution
as described in the Sensor chapter.

B5

Figure B.5 12-bit Channel General Dialog Box

Computed Data Channels

The computed channels do not correspond to a layer in the stack but rather to the
results of a computation with data received by another channel. This is very important
for the data modes that will be discussed next. The current system includes two primary
types of computed channels; one to compute the change in the data from the last point to
the current point that is necessary for the 1000 Hz dynamic data and a second that
captures 1000 Hz data at four hour internals to track/monitor long-term crack movement.
There is a different channel for each LVDT. The first computed channel
generates a trigger whenever a change in the value of the LVDT channel exceeds the
amount specified in the input parameter, in this case .015 volts or 1.9 micrometers.
Figure B.6 shows the proper expression to perform this command.

B6

Figure B.6 Computed Channel 1

The second computed channel employs a command called blink. This command
causes the trigger condition to be true periodically whenever a specified number of
periods have elapsed. The period is the period of the master sample rate. It is used to
acquire small group of samples at regular four-hour intervals. The proper expression to
perform this command is shown in Figure B.7.

B7

Figure B.7 Computed Channel 2

Data modes
A data mode is a collection of samples from one or more data channels. While
WinTCS contains many types of data modes, only the burst history mode is employed. A
burst history can include data before and after a condition is met. There are two burst
data modes for the phase I system, one for the long-term weather and displacement data,
and one for the transient vibration event data. The triggers for each of these data modes
are different.
For the first trigger, long-term weather and displacement data, and the required
pieces of information are the temperature, humidity, and sensor displacement values.
Figure B.8 shows the general dialog box for this channel. In this dialog box the name of
the data mode, sample rate, number of samples, and number of points in the burst is
specified. The current system records a one-second burst every four hours in a twentyfour hour cycle, equaling six bursts per day. The sample rate is 1000Hz for one-second

B8

that produces 1000 points. Figure B.9 shows how the trigger for this data mode is set by
time, which is recorded in seconds, from the start of the test.

Figure B.8 Triggered Channel Long-term General Dialog Box

Figure B.9 Triggered Channel Long-term Triggers Dialog Box

For the second data mode, vibration events, the pieces of information required are
the four sensor displacement channels. The general dialog box shown in Figure B.10
illustrates where the name of the data mode, sample rate, number of samples and number
of points in the burst are specified. The current system records a one-second burst every

B9

time the computed channel for the LVDT sensors changes more than 1.9 micrometers.
The channel is set to record 100 points before the trigger was activated insuring that the
full vibration event is captured. The trigger for how this data mode is set is shown in
Figure B.11. When this system is moved to a quarry in phase II the length of these bursts
will be increased to capture the full ground motion and structure response.

Figure B.10 Triggered Channel General Dialog Box

Figure B.11 Triggered Channel Triggers Dialog Box

B10

APPENDIX C
AUTOMATE FILES

APPENDIX D
AUTOMATE TIPS
Tips and tricks for AutoMate
The AutoMate script files contain a two-second pause after each command that
does not require a windows notification to proceed. This allows the computer and the
program time to process the command that was just sent by AutoMate. If the pauses are
not placed the system may lock-up and require rebooting. Many of the common
windows keyboard commands can be used in AutoMate to access various components of
software packages. A list of the commands and there use follows:

Tab = allows user to toggle between fields in a selection window

Shift = allows the user to select multiple items in sequential order
Alt = allows users to enter the command menu in a program
Ctrl = allows users to select multiple items not is sequential order
Arrow keys = allows user to move through lists

Selection and deletion of channels

To select and delete channels from AutoMate refer to the script file on the
following page. The steps are outlined with keyboard commands that can be easily
followed.

D1

APPENDIX E
JAVA DESCRIPTION
David Kosnik, Northwestern University, wrote the following description.

INTRODUCTION
Java is a platform-independent programming language developed by Sun
Microsystems. Java programs are employed in several parts of the crack monitoring
project. Applets, Java components which run inside a clients web browser, are
disallowed by the design specification and are not used in the site. However, a number of
tasks which must be completed on the web server- and therefore are not dependent upon
the clients browser- are performed by Java programs. These modules run on the web
server and are collectively referred to as the server-side Java component of the web site.

PARTS OF SERVER-SIDE JAVA COMPONENT

The server-side Java components of the crack monitoring system provide the
basis for the automation of the data storage, data retrieval, and data presentation. There
are two distinct parts of the Java component. The first part is the conversion program, a
stand-alone application which processes the data from the field hardware. The second
part consists of a suite of programs which run in conjunction with the HTTP server.
These programs are called servlets, because they extend the functionality of the HTTP
server. The servlets generate the graphs shown on the Crack Displacement vs pages.
The final part of the server-side component is the relational database. This is not
a Java component in any way; however, both the conversion program and servlets use the

E1

database for storage and retrieval of data. Presently, the database system which is used is
DB2 from IBM. The database contains four data tables: a long-term data table, and three
burst data tables. One burst data table stores complete records of all vibration events, and
the two remaining tables store the minimum and maximum values from the vibration
events, respectively.

CONVERSION PROGRAM
The conversion program is a stand-alone application run by Automate. It is an
application program that does not depend upon the context of a web browser. The
conversion program performs two tasks critical to the automation of the crack monitoring
site. First, the program parses the data file from the field hardware and converts the data
from voltages into the appropriate units for each sensor channel. Second, the program
automatically enters the new data into the project database for future use by the graphing
servlets. Java is the language of choice for the conversion program because it contains a
flexible interface for direct communication with a variety of databases. This interface,
called Java Database Connectivity, makes it possible for the conversion program to load
the data directly into the database.
The first tasks performed by the conversion program involve timekeeping. Time
must be measured with at least one second accuracy for many months or longer. To
solve this problem, the crack monitoring system uses truncated Julian dates. The
truncated Julian date is a modification of the Julian dates first invented for use in
astronomy. The truncated Julian date is the number of days since an arbitrary epoch:
May 24, 1968, at midnight, Greenwich mean time. For example, the truncated Julian

E2

date for one second after noon on March 23, 2000 is 11626.5000115741. The truncated
Julian date system is well-suited to this application because it provides a record of the
date, with second or greater accuracy, in a simple decimal format which is easily stored
in the database. The truncated Julian dates provide a convenient primary key, or index,
for the database, which makes it easy to compare dates and to query the database for
events in any given time period.
The date and time of the beginning of the test is present in the headers of the data
file. The program reads this timestamp and converts it to Greenwich mean time and then
to a truncated Julian date. The timestamps for all the other data in the file are given in
terms of seconds relative to the start time. As the program parses the data in the file,
these relative times are converted to truncated Julian dates as well.
There are two distinct types of data that may be present in the data file: long-term
data, which is sampled at four hour intervals, and burst data, which is sampled only when
a vibration event is detected. All data files contain long-term data, but not all contain
burst data, as vibration events do not necessarily occur on a daily basis. Before the
program can parse the data in the file, it must determine whether burst data is present in
the file. If there are burst data, there will be a line in the data file indicating that a second
data mode is used in the file. This second data mode refers the is the burst data.
Consequently, if this flag is present, there is burst data in the file.
If burst data are present, they are converted from volts to micrometers. The entire
time history of each event (1000 points for every second of duration) and the truncated
Julian date at which it occurred are stored in the all-vibration data table in the database.

E3

Then, the absolute maximum and minimum values for each vibration event are
determined and stored in the maximum and minimum vibration tables, respectively.
Finally, the program parses the long-term data. The long-term data is sampled at
1000 Hz for one second every four hours. The 1000 data points for each set are
averaged, eliminating noise from the final result. For the four LVDT channels, a the
same conversion factor used for the burst data is applied to convert the long-term
displacement data to micrometers. The temperature and humidity data are already in
units of degrees Celsius and percent relative humidity, respectively, so no conversions are
made to those channels. The program then adds the six new data records to the four-hour
data table. As with the vibration data, the data is indexed by truncated Julian date.
The program then closes the database connections and terminates. The original
data files are preserved and archived. The archiving of the original data files prevents
loss of data in the event of damage to the database. If, for example, the data in the
database were to be corrupted by an equipment failure or malicious act, it could be
reconstructed from the archived data without any loss of information. Likewise, if a flaw
were to emerge in the conversion program, the database could be reconstructed to remove
the error once the flaw had been corrected.

GRAPHING SERVLETS
The second aspect of the server-side Java component is the graphing servlets.
These programs work in the context of the web server- as opposed to that of the clients
web browser- to dynamically generate plots of environmental data and crack
displacement.

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Servlets and the Web Server

As with all web sites, the HTML files which compose the static parts of the site
exist on the web server- a computer connected to the Internet which runs an HTTP server
program. The HTTP server program, also known as a daemon, listens for requests for
files on the public directories of the computer. When a request is made, the daemon
sends the file to the machine that requested it. The communication standard for these file
transfers is HTTP, or Hypertext Transfer Protocol; HTTP forms the backbone for
communication on the World Wide Web. The HTTP daemon in the crack monitoring
project is Apache, available free from The Apache Group, (www.apache.org).
Java servlets extend the functionality of the HTTP daemon. These small Java
programs run on the web server in much the same way as Java applets run in a web
browser- hence the name. The advantages of the servlet programming model lie in the
fact that the client requests data from the servlet in exactly the same way as it would
request an HTML file or an image. For example, an images are embedded in a web page
with the following syntax:
<IMG SRC=http://iti.birl.nwu.edu/xyz/image.gif>

This tells the browser that the image named image.gif which exists in the xyz
directory on the server iti.birl.nwu.edu should be embedded in the page at that point.
The browser then requests this image from the server, and the HTTP daemon responds by
sending the appropriate image file. By changing the address of the embedded image,
however, we can tell the browser to embed the image generated by a servlet instead of a
static image:
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<IMG SRC=http://iti.birl.nwu.edu/GraphServlet>

This line of code tells the browser to request the image GraphServlet on the
iti.birl.nwu.edu server. The HTTP daemon, which has been configured to run servlets,
intercepts this request and sends it to the servlet engine. The servlet engine is an
extension to the HTTP daemon which provides a context for servlets to run. The servlet
engine in the crack monitoring project is the Apache JServ product, also available from
The Apache Group. Once a request has been passed to the servlet engine, it instantiates
the appropriate servlet and passes the request to it. The servlet performs whatever task it
is designed to carry out and sends the result back to the HTTP daemon, which finally
sends it back to the user. The response from the servlet can be in nearly any formatplain text, a web page, or an image, to name a few. As a result, the client can interact
with a Java program on the web server through the simple HTTP communication
standard, which is supported by all web browsers throughout the world.
In addition, servlets in the crack monitoring project provide an ideal mechanism
for displaying data from a database. Using the Java Database Connectivity interface, the
servlets can query the project database to obtain environmental or crack data for a given
time period. Since the servlets can obtain information directly from the database, they
provide an efficient means of displaying data to a client.

Environmental Data Servlet

The environmental data servlet (iti.crack.WeatherVsTime) is designed to generate
a plot of weather data for a given time period and return this plot to the viewers web
browser. The servlet accepts a number of input parameters, including type of data
(temperature or humidity), range of dates to display, and maximum and minimum values
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on the y-axis. These parameters are passed to the servlet through a standard HTTP GET
request. The GET request is the standard HTTP method by which web browsers request
static HTML pages and images. By definition, all web browsers are capable of making
these requests. Arguments are passed as a suffix, or query, to the servlet address. That
is, the address of the servlet is /servlet/iti.crack.WeatherGraph, but the request
looks like this:
/servlet/iti.crack.WeatherVsTime?time=w&xData=TJD&yData=HUMID.

For example, the following HTML tag would embed a graph of temperature over
the past week: <IMG SRC=
/servlet/iti.crack.WeatherGraph?time=w&xData=TJD&yData=TEMP>

It is also possible to specify any particular range of dates. This is accomplished by using
the time, xMin, and xMax arguments, where xMin and xMax are the truncated Julian
dates for the start and end of the desired time period. The argument time=o indicates that
a specific range of dates- rather than a request to simply graph the last week or monthfollows in the request. To embed in a graph of humidity data from March 23 to March
31, 2000 in a web page, the following syntax would be used:
<IMG
SRC=/servlet/iti.crack.WeatherGraph?time=o&xData=TJD&yData=HUMID&xMin=
11626&xMax=11634>

To specify a scale of 0 to 40% humidity for the y-axis, the yMin, yMax, and noAutoScale
parameters are employed. The noAutoScale=true argument indicates that the specific
range of y-values to be displayed are indicated in the query.
<IMG
SRC=/servlet/iti.crack.WeatherGraph?time=o&yData=HUMID&xMin=11626&xMax
=11634&yMin=0&yMax=40&noAutoScale=true>

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A line similar to the preceding is all that is required in the web page which displays this
graph. All the data necessary to display the graph is passed to the servlet through the
GET request.
When the HTTP daemon receives a request for the environmental data servlet, the
request is passed to the servlet engine, which in turn instantiates the servlet and passes the
request to it. The servlet parses the request and determines what type of data and what
date range is being requested. Once these have been determined, the servlet opens a
connection to the database through the Java Database Connectivity interface and queries
the database for the requested data type over the requested date range. The database
returns two columns of data: timestamps (truncated Julian dates) and sensor data (degrees
Celsius or percent humidity). The servlet internally stores the results of the query for use
by the graphing package.
The graphing package is an external program that the servlet runs in order to
actually draw the graph. At this point, the package used is KavaChart, available from
Visual Engineering (www.ve.com). The two columns of data are passed as parameters to
the graphing program, which generates a plot of the requested data type versus time for
the requested time period. The graph is then encoded and returned to the client as a GIF
image.

Crack Data Servlet

At this time, the crack data servlet (iti.crack.CrackVsTime) works in exactly the
same way as the environmental data servlet. The only difference is in the request for the

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image: a specific LVDT is requested for the y-axis data instead of temperature or
humidity. For example:
<IMG SRC=
/servlet/iti.crack.CrackVsTime?time=w&xData=TJD&yData=LVDT_3>

would return a graph of crack displacement for LVDT 3 for the past week. Arguments
for displaying a specific period of time or a specific scale on y-axis can be used in the
same fashion as with the environmental data servlet.
In the future, the crack data servlet will indicate the relative magnitudes of
vibration events on the long-term crack displacement graph. This will be accomplished
by placing vertical bars on the displacement graph where vibration events occurred. The
top of the bar will correspond to the absolute maximum value of the crack displacement
during the vibration event, and the bottom of the bar will correspond to the absolute
minimum displacement during the event. This will make it easy to see how much the
crack changed during the event, and will communicate that crack changes during
vibration events are several orders of magnitude smaller than long-term changes due to
environmental conditions.

Future Plans
The next step in servlet development will be to implement a system that will show
the bars indicating vibration events on the crack displacement graph. In addition to that,
the crack displacement graph will become a clickable image map such that the user can
click on a vibration event to see a graph of the 1000 points making up the event. These
features will enhance the users understanding that long-term crack changes are much
larger than those caused by vibration.

E9

APPENDIX F
TYPICAL DATA FILE WITH
VIBRATION EVENT

F1

APPENDIX G
CORRECTED DISPLACEMENT OF ALL SENSORS

APPENDIX H
SENSORS COMPARED WITH
TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY

APPENDIX I
ENGINEERING DESIGN AND COMMUNICATION
REPORT WITH SURVEYS

APPENDIX J
COST OF ALL ITEMS CONSIDERED

J1