9360609 Chen Conventional structural evaluation methods often fail to provide accurate defect measurement of large civil infrastructures. This project brings in theoretical and experimental expertise in structural dynamics and experience in vibration sensors to study innovative slope mode and modal energy transfer sensors and measuring systems that could make structural behavior evaluation and health monitoring more feasible and accurate. The ultimate goal is to develop a series of slope accelerometers, which are not yet available commercially, based on a newly developed complex energy theory. The objective in phase one is to develop the accelerometers and calibration systems, to examine methods for modal energy measurements to perform the vibration signature analysis for medium size structures. The methodology and transducers considered in this project may have a significant impact in structural measurements and applications in transducer industries, bridge and large civil engineering structure inspections. This is an SBIR Phase I project. ***
