REVISIONDATE

1.1January 2015

WCH-4

Modular wireless instrument for cross-hole surveys on foundation poles

www.mae-srl.it

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SUMMARY

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Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................ 2

Chapter 2. CROSS-HOLE SURVEYS ON FOUNDATION POLES................................................................ 4

Chapter 3. WCH-4 EQUIPMENT.................................................................................................................. 5

Chapter 3.1 FUNCTIONING DESCRIPTION................................................................................................ 5

Chapter 3.2. MAIN STRENGHT .................................................................................................................. 6

Chapter 3.3. SOFTWARE ……………………………………………………………………………………….……..7

Chapter 3.3.1. US-LAB data processing software… ……………………………………..……………….8Chapter 3.4 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS .............................................................................................. 9

Chapter 3.4.1. Acquisition… ………………………………………………………………………………….9Chapter 3.4.2. Probes………………………………………………………………………………………..10Chapter 3.4.3. Generals……………………………………………………………………………………...10Chapter 3.4.4. Law references…….………………………………………………………………………..10Chapter 3.4.5. Connection diagram…….…………………………,……………………………………….10

The present document is confidential under the law on intellectual property. Any reproduction, even partial, is strictly prohibited without M.A.E. prior consent.

A peculiar characteristic of MAE is always the design and manufacturing of custom-designed equipment using the most advanced technology currently available

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Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION

MAE company has been established in 1982 and its occupation was mainly related to the production of precision electronics instruments for geophysics surveys; since the beginning its main purpose has always been to join the accuracy of the data acquisition systems to the huge possibilities coming from the epochal technological innovation represented by “microchips” and the personal computers which were starting coming on the international markets.Thanks to their technological and innovative nature, the digital networks for the territorial macro and micro activities of seismic monitoring designed and produced by MAE, are immediately appreciated both by the Italian National Seismic Service (depending at that time on the Minister of Public Works), which favors an installation on a regional basis (over the years, this covering will extend to the following regions: Campania, Toscana, Umbria, Abruzzo, Molise and a mobile seismic network will be also provided, which will be located on a special vehicle, able to promptly occur in case of emergencies); and also by many services and foreign seismic observatories. Among these, we can remind the seismic and inclinometric network installed in Quito - Ecuador (1982) or the 24 bit digital telemetry seismic network, developed together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and OGS (National institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics), which has its control and data processing centre at IGEM, National Institute of Geophysics in Georgia (2005).

Strongly believing in its mission of technological innovation in the field of geophysics surveys instruments, in 1983, MAE introduces the PS-8 seismograph to the world: one of the first completely digital and computerized hand-held seismographs, provided with integrated Pc, monitor, keyboard and data save on 5.4” floppy disc. During the same year, the first georesistivimeter GR-1 is also introduced. On investing in research and development, MAE has constantly innovated and expanded its proposals, reaching over the years, all sectors of geotechnical and C.N.D. (Non destructive Controls) geophysics surveys.

From MAE’s Research and Development Department, in the 90s, MAE AUTOMATION division is created with the purpose of developing industrial and civil automation systems within the management of productionlines and process control. Among the systems developed, it is appropriate

to remind (in order to be brief) those concerning the staff management, such as systems for the control of entrances to the building, for the satellite control of “vehicles fleets”, for the automation of concrete and bitumen production, for the remote monitoring of water resources, for the automatic management of aqueducts and much more.

One of the peculiar features of MAE is represented by its “made-to-measure systems” design and production, studied in accordance with the specific customer requirements and using the most advanced technologies currently available. Learning from the experience of MAE AUTOMATION, the domestic management platform TELECASA is created: one of the very first platforms on the market in the field of what at that time was defined (in a pioneering way) as domestic automation and which is nowadays better-known as “domotics”.

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Chapter 2. CROSS-HOLE SURVEYS ON FOUNDATION POLES

Figure 1 Cross-hole test

The cross-hole is a method to analyze the foundation poles of buildings that, with the use of ultra-sounds, crosshole, allow to carry out an accurate high resolution test. An ultra-sonic wave is sent from a transmitter to a receiver, which are convoyed automatically by the device along the entire length of the pole inside the pipes embedded inside of it, during casting. The speed of the sonic wave and its energy are strongly influenced by the quality of the cement. Therefore, it is possible to assess the characteristics and give a tomographic representation in 2D and 3D called diagraphy.

During preparation phase, cables pass through an encoder until their positioning at the pole hedge, during the ascent, when cables are automatically rewound on motorized reels, sonic signals transmission is carried out, from the probe station to the receiver through interposed concrete and during this phase the system records signal at intervals set by the user. Form signal recording derives the diagram that is commonly defined sonic profile or sonic diagraphy. Any variations of homogeneity along the pole axis produce variations in the transit time of ultrasonic waves through concrete; increases of time are usually caused by a deterioration in the quality of concrete.

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Chapter 3. WCH-4 EQUIPMENT (Wireless Cross-Hole system)

Figure 1 WCH-4 equipment (2 channels configuration)

Chapter 3.1 FUNCTIONING DESCRIPTION

Figure 2 Motorized reel

WCH-4 introduces a new concept of device for cross-hole surveys on foundation poles. More than an equipment in its traditional sense, WCH-4 is a modular wireless device for foundation pole cross-hole surveys and its core are the motorized electronically controlled reels on which are mounted high power probe holes for cross-hole surveys on foundation poles, diaphragms, and all cement or concrete infrastructural works which can be tested by cross-hole methodology, that is sloping down through pipes specially arranged when thrown and then filled with water.

In the direct analysis mode each wave emitted by the inner generator is fully displayed and it is also possible to change display parameters to further facilitate reading of the crossing speed and the presence of defects in the material investigated. By using 2-3-4 WCH-4 wireless motorized reels with automatic simultaneous handling it is possible to obtain an exponential saving of the time required for the survey, because with a single ascent / descent of the probes inside the pole to be checked (which must be

Each reel of WCH-4 system is equipe with a 60 mt cable motorized probe with the electronics which automatically manages the probes during their descent/ascent (cross-hole), data saving and wireless transmission. Due to Panasonic tablet and the almost total lack of material wiring, settings, measures management in addition to display and interpretation of data acquired is easy and immediatea.

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*Through bluetooth printer (optional)

- Completely wireless management with setting of all functions through tablet

- System easily transportable and usable by a single operator

- Easily transportable by plane in a single small suitcase provided with trolley

- User-friendly software guided step-by-step

- Professional rugged IP-67 tablet with 10” PANASONIC screen

- Modular system, 2 reels basic system + 1 or 2 channels expansion options

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Figure 4 WCH-4 at work (2 channels configuration)

Chapter 3.2 MAIN STRENGHTS

instrumented with 2-3-4 pipes) it is possible to get diagraphies of the corresponding sections more rapidly, compared with all other instruments present on market.The data acquired at each pulse are displayed in real time on tablet monitor allowing immediate display of any imperfections of the investigated structure. Cross-hole surveys procedure with 2- 3.4 channels is managed in a fully automatic way. The only activities required to the operator are those regarding positioning the encoders to read the position of motorized probes on tubes arranged for the survey and the initial alignment of the probes on the pole hedge.

Once completed this activity, data acquisition is started by simply pressing a button and it is completely automatically managed by the system following prescriptions set by the operator during configuration. It is possible to check data as they are acquired in order to control in real time the progress of the test. The diagraphy appears wave after wave on the display of the tablet, and once completed data acquisition, test report containing data of the survey just carried out can be printed immediately * directly on site. The survey data saved in the tablet can be easily transferred to a PC for subsequent analysis.

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Figure 5 WCH4 complete kit in PELI transport case

Chapter 3.3 SOFTWARE

Figure 6 Number of channels setting Figure 7 Pipes arrangement setting

WCH-4 management software, user-friendly and immediate, allows to conduct cross-hole test following a guided procedure which step-by-step allows to carry on settings and manual activities essential for the test. With few and simple guided passages, it is possible to set the instrument to carry out pole survey automatically managed by the instrument itself.

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Figure 8 Data acquisition parametres configuration Figure 9 3 sections diagraphy

Figure 10 Direct analysis mode Figure 11 Single diagraphy

Chapter 3.3.1. US-LAB data processing software

US-LAB is the application for visualization, detailed analysis and elaboration of test report for cross-hole surveys carried on through WCH-4 equipment. Besides data saving directly on site of set parameters for data acquisition and on pole, the software allows to manage, under a guided procedure, all phases of elaboration of a test report of the survey. Moreover, the Single wave analysis function allows to analyze in detail the time of each single wave registered by the instrument during ascent phase of the probes inside survey pipes which create the pole sonic profile.

Main functions:

Diagram export: allows to export diagrams in bitmap formatTimes export: activates arrival time export functionTest data entry: allows to revise or complete further information saved together with the survey when created. Information visualized are used for composition of the printing form and they are an important integration to the diagram.Diagraphy export: allows to export test report which includes the diagraphy, acquisition settings and information regarding the survey conducted.Single wave analysis: visualizes the detail of signals which compose diagraphy.

   

 

 

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Figure 12 Parametres entry + test data Figure 13 Readings list

Figure 14 Time analysis for each single wave

Chapter 3.4 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

3.4.1 Acquisition

• time basis : 100ns, 200ns, 500ns, 1µs, 2µs, 5µs, 10µs, 20µs• sample resolution: 12 bit• samples per event: 2048• amplification factors: x1, x2, x4, x5, x8, x10, x16, x32• band width: 50 MHz• filter for ultrasounds: central frequency 50 kHz

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3.4.2 Probes

3.4.3 Generals

3.4.4 Law references

3.4.5 Connection diagram

• from hole: resonance frequency 52 kHz, diameter 35mm• excitation peak voltage : 500V (normal), 2000V (high)• maximum frequency for pulse emission: 1 per second• minimum measurement pitch: 10mm• motorized reels: n. 2, 3 or 4 with 60 mt metric cable• position encoder: n. 2, 3 or 4, precision 1,4°• speed and alignment: managed automatically• hardware buttons for engines activation• automatic switching of ultrasounds transmission/receiving

• total control by Android palmtop through owner’s app• normative compliance ASTM D6760 - 08• wireless technology: WiFi - 2.4 GHz - 802.11b• wireless synchronization: band 5 GHz, 8 channels available• radio channel selection: automatic• power supply: 12V DC, 1 Li-Ion battery of 10,5Ah for each reel• average absorption (for each reel): 180mA (standby) – 600mA (during measurements)• data format: owner• diagraphy processing software: compatible with Microsoft Windows® operating system• environmental operating conditions: -20/80 °C• single unit dimensions: L220 x H225 x P250 mm• single unit weight:9,3 Kg

• ASTM D6760-08

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Figure 15 WCH-4 at work

Figure 16 WCH4 (2 ch.) complete kit in PELI case

The present document is confidential under the law on intellectual property. Any reproduction, even partial, is strictly prohibited without M.A.E. prior consent.

The continuous improvement by engineering department could create discrepancies with what is specified in the present document. MAE reserves the right to make changes to the products without giving public notice.

All trademarks are registered by their manufacturers.

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M.A.E. Apparecchiature Elettroniche srlGeophysics dept: www.mae-srl.it

Automation dept: www.maeautomation.ite-mail: sales@mae-srl.it