Instrumentation Monthly Test | Measurement | Control
PCB Piezotronics, a world leader in vibration, acoustic, pressure, force and torque sensors, offers a range of ICP® high sensitivity seismic accelerometers for use in ground vibration measurements. The accelerometers are specifically designed to enable detection of ultra-low level, low frequency vibrations associated with large civil engineering structures, foundations and earth tremors. Such is their sensitivity that the accelerometers can literally detect a dropped pin.
As a result of their specific design, these sensors typically exhibit exceptional measurement resolution with a high output signal and lower noise floor. All units are hermetically sealed in a titanium or stainless steel housing with models including a 2-pin military style connector providing the added benefit of superior RF and EMI protection through electrical case isolation.
A typical example of PCB Piezotronics’ range of seismic accelerometers is model 393B31 which operates down to 0.07Hz with a sensitivity of 10V/g. This performance makes it ideal for use in a wide variety of civil engineering applications including bridge movement detection, remote pipeline intrusion detection, military establishment intruder detection and rail movement detection – monitoring the effects of train movement on nearby buildings and structures.
Vibration monitoring of civil structures and ancient buildings and monuments is an essential practice to ensure the safety of occupants and protect the structures from catastrophic demise. Studies have shown that crowds in a stadium grandstand or theatre balcony can impart tremendous forces and harmonic motion to a structure when acting in a synchronous manner. Earth tremors, foot traffic, trucks and trains impart vibrations that can cause structures to sway, shift, crumble or collapse so permanent monitoring with high sensitivity accelerometers enables trending, analysis and alerts when such structural motion exceeds established safety limits. This provides information for corrective or evasive action.
Decaying infrastructures such as bridges have received increased publicity in recent years and vibration monitoring is among a number of techniques for determining their health and longevity. Vibration measurements using PCB Piezotronics seismic accelerometers can provide data for continuous monitoring, modal analysis and structural integrity investigations. High sensitivity accelerometers generate signals in response to a wide variety of stimuli including traffic, wind and programmatic impulse. When analysed, these signals provide civil and structural engineers with insight to determine the safety of a structure and investigative analysis can lead to recommendations for remedial construction or further monitoring.
About PCB Piezotronics
PCB Piezotronics is a leading supplier of microphones, vibration, pressure, force, torque, load and strain sensors, as well as the pioneer of ICP® technology. This instrumentation is used for test, measurement, monitoring and control requirements in automotive, aerospace, industrial, R&D, military, educational, commercial, OEM applications and more. Our Platinum Products programme ensures fast delivery of over 10,000 sensors. With a customer support team of more than 30 Customer Service Representatives and Application Engineers, PCB® proudly stands behind their products with the services you value most, including 24-hour technical support, a global distribution network and the industry’s only commitment to Total Customer Satisfaction. Visit us at www.pcbpiezotronics.co.uk