Product category:
Monitoring and sensor equipment and systems
News Release from: Reactec | Subject: RT440
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 20 September 2005
Vibration analysis of bridge movement on
the spot
A new bridge design has benefited from a vibration measuring tool developed by Reactec, the UK provider of consultancy, products and services for vibration reduction.
A new bridge design has benefited from a vibration measuring tool developed by Reactec, the UK provider of consultancy, products and services for vibration reduction The bridge over the river Forth near Aberfoyle, Stirlingshire, is built entirely of wood and is able to reach distances previously unobtainable from a wooden construction in a single span of 20 metres
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 5 Sep 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
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It has been built using a technique called mechanical stress lamination of timber to form arches, developed by Geoff Freedman, head of design at the, Forestry Commission Civil Engineering, based in Peebles.
One of the key concerns was the impact of vibration on the integrity of the structure.
On the infamous Millenium Bridge in London, pedestrians' motion matched the natural frequency of the bridge producing resonance and reflection causing it to sway.
If that happens the whole structure starts to rock and can become unstable and even break.
Freedman started to look for a way to measure the natural frequency to make sure such problems did not happen to his bridges.
The solution came from Edinburgh-based Reactec which has developed a hand-held vibration measuring device - the RT440 - in conjunction with Diagnostic Instruments.
"The RT440 gives me the ability to check vibration levels against recorded standards and analyse readings on the spot.
The fact that it is battery-powered means it can be used for a whole day in the field without needing to be recharged.
I was astonished that someone with such a fantastic device was so close," said Freedman.
He added: "Vibration analysis is now at the forefront of bridge design and assessment of existing bridges.
New techniques use vibration fingerprints to assess structural integrity." Mark-Paul Buckingham, managing director of Reactec, said: "We are very excited to add bridges to a growing list of applications using vibration technology.
Many products and processes can be made more efficient with vibration management.
However, it can be so case-specific that we often rely on people like Geoff to approach us first to look at new applications.".
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