Pavement Researchers Testing Remote Sensors to Monitor Pavement Strain
Terry Dossey and other CTR pavement researchers met October 29, 2004, with TxDOT and Invocon representatives to discuss the possible use of Invocon's remote sensors in pavement applications.
October's meeting was the second in a continuing series of seminars designed to bring technology providers together with technology users in order to improve transportation research.
Invocon is a small, innovative technology group, based in Conroe Texas, that provides wireless solutions to cutting-edge applications such as the NASA space shuttle, the U.S. missile defense system, and the National Undersea Research Center in Florida.
Invocon's Mark Haigood demonstrates a wireless sensor.
CTR pavement researchers have recently used Invocon's devices to successfully monitor long-term concrete strain (movement) on US 59 as a part of TxDOT-sponsored project 0-1700, Improving Portland Cement Concrete Pavement Performance.
Researcher Terry Dossey gave an overview of the purpose for the meeting, then introduced Jeong-Hee Nam, who presented the steel strain results from the US 59 test section in Cleveland Texas.
Invocon representative Alan Haigood's presentation began with a short history of his company's products, then launched into a hands-on demonstration of wireless accelerometers, strain gauges, pressure sensors, and ultimately an integrated rainfall algorithm processor used by UT professor Sharon Wood to study bridge deflections. Participants were able to handle, bend, and blow into the various devices and see the results real-time on the projected computer screen.
Everyone saw possibilities to apply the new technology to their own applications and agreed that an additional meeting with Haigood should be conducted in the near future.
CTR Researchers present included Terry Dossey, Moon Won, Seong-Min Kim, Jeong-Hee Nam, Dong-Ho Kim, and Ron White. Also present were Texas Department of Transportation representatives Andrew Wimsatt, Gary Graham, John Bilyeu, Paul Rollins, and James Perrish.