Handheld vibration analyser checks novel bridge
A
Reactec product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Sep 20, 2005
A novel bridge design has benefited from a vibration measuring tool developed by Reactec, the UK's leading provider of consultancy, products and services for vibration reduction.
A novel bridge design has benefited from a vibration measuring tool developed by Reactec, the UK's leading 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 20m.
It has been built using a technique called mechanical stress lamination of timber to form arches, developed by Geoff Freedman, Head of Design, 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 this 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 problems this 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 provides a complete solution to the problem of measuring and analysing vibration level.
"The RT440 gives me the ability to check vibration levels against recorded standards and analyse readings on the spot", said Freedman.
"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".
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, 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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