Dynamic load testing of structures

Dynamic monitoring of structures

Terratek
Av rico Verssimo 901 / 302 22621-180 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil tel 21 2486 3386 Contact Dr Beto Ortigo terratek@terratek.com.br
In Brasil: Rio de janeiro Belo Horizonte, Overseas: Caracas, Venezuela Lima, Peru Kuala Lumpur, Malsia

Terratek carries out dynamic loading tests on structures using advanced vibration analysis techniques and state-of-the art electronics. The tests are totally non-destructive and nonintrusive. The equipment used to take measurements is a very sensitive 24bit vibration recorder. It is so accurate that is able to measure displacements o the order of magnitude of the wavelength of light. Therefore there os no need to induce artificial vibrations, as we measure the response due to ambient loading like wind, traffic, waves or temperature. This technology has been successfully applied to many structures, including bridges, steel tower, tall buildings, dams, harbour and offshore structures.

Scope of measurements
The scope of the Pias system is to analyse structural integrity, by checking stresses and strains in the whole structural system, detecting: o o
24-bit Vibration recorder

Global structural integrity Location and extend of damage; Structural behaviour under additional loading; Degradation, aging and structural life span.

o o

Standard
Measurements and analyses follow the following Standard: ABNT NBR 15307 Non-destructive testing Dynamic loading testing on large structures Procedure

Small sized vibration recorder

Visit our website: www.terratek.com.br

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Projects
Terratek has successfully tested the following range of structures:

Bridge integrity assessment, BR 101 motorway, Brazil Harbour structures, Tubaro Harbour

Offshore structures Damage detection on a concrete dam Dynamic loading test of jetty and dolphin structure Conveyor belt and ship loader 200 m high TV tower, Braslia

Mosquito Railway Bridge

Safety check of the roof of football stadium

Bridge integrity assessment

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Damage detection on Areal dam

Pias

Mining structures: crushers, Mills and scrubber building

Vibration spectrum and damping

MR

Vibration measurements with time on a structure enable to obtain spectra and damping, by proper mathematical analyses. These data are the backbone for understanding structural behaviour and the effect of damage and aging.

Spectrum
PSD Amplitude (g2/Hz x 10-6)
-4
6

Damping

-5

Damping (x 10-3 )

-6

f
-7 -8

-9 0 1 2 3 4

0 0 5 10 15 20 25

Frequency (Hz)

Amplitude %

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Mathematical modelling
The next step is to build a dynamic mathematical model of the structure through a structural dynamics software. Initially the model outputs the undamaged behaviour. Then, structural damage is simulated on a trial and error process until the structure outputs resonance frequencies that match with the measurements. At this stage the model is calibrated and its behaviour matches the actual structure. Then, the mathematical model can be used to check the behaviour under an type of loading.

Conveyor belt showing dynamic instability on a slender column

Curitiba
P6 P7 P5 P4 P8

Damage detection on highway bridge

So Paulo
P2 P1

P3

Transverse instability during train passage, Mosquito Bridge

Y

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Damage level
Dynamic loading tests give the overall damage level of a structure. This information will be used by decision makers and the structural designer to decide on the extend of rehabilitation works.

On-line real time vibration measurements

Terratek carries out continous on-line structural monitoring. This enables a continuous check on damage level and structural aging. In this case, vibration monitors are fixed on selected structural members on the structure and linked to the internet. A computer program analyses vibration data, yielding spectra, velocities, displacements and damping.

Clients
Votorantim Mining RPM Kinross Mining Highway Dept Brazil CVRD Vale do Rio Doce Mining Company Seebla Consulting Engineering, So Paulo RPeotta Harbour Engineering, Rio de Janeiro Tecnosonda SA, Rio de Janeiro Sonda Engineering Ltd, Braslia Novacap Braslia