MATERIALS ENGINEERING AND TESTING SERVICES
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Materials Engineering and Testing Services
Office of Roadway Materials Testing
Instrumentation Services Branch
The photo album contains a sample of pictures from current and past instrumentation projects. Click on the thumbnail of interest to see the full-size picture, then use your Web browser's Back button to return to this page.
Electronic Design and Consulting Services
Landslide Monitoring (2012)
Instrumentation Services developed a simple landslide monitoring system at the Pitkins Curve brige and rock shed construction zone to alert motorists and construction crews of a imminent landslide. Draw-wire potentiometers are installed between two posts, one at the head scarp and one upslope on stable ground. The potentiometers are connected to indicator and alarm triggering boxes at the road below. Movement of the slide mass would trigger a flashing light and horn, alerting workers in the area.
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Climbing Up the Hill |
Installed Draw-Wire Potentiometer | Installing Alarm Switching Box |
Installed Light, Horn, & Solar Panel on Signal Pole |
Freeway Congestion Monitoring (2005)
Instrumentation Services developed a GPS-based data collection system to collect speed and location data for congestion monitoring runs for the Division of Traffic Operations. The system replaced a tachometer-based system.
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GPS Display |
Speedometer Display | GPS Antenna |
Notebook Setup |
Vehicle Crash Testing Instrumentation (ongoing)
The Instrumentation Services Branch instruments crash test vehicles in support of the Roadside Safety Technology section's crash testing program. Two data acquisition units collect acceleration, angular rate, and impact speed data. Instrumented vehicles also contain speed and remote braking controls. Instrumentation designed and assembled the Instrumentation Interface and Speed Control boxes.
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Crash Test Vehicle |
Crash Test Instrumentation |
Vehicle Impacting Barrier |
Carquinez Bridge GPS (2004 to present)
Instrumentation Services, working with the Division of Research & Innovation Geo Research Group and the Office of Earthquake Engineering, installed RTK-GPS receivers on the towers and cable sag point of the Al Zampa Memorial Bridge. GPS receivers monitor bridge motion due to seismic events.
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Base Station Antenna |
Serial Device Server Cabinet |
Tower Cabinet |
Installing Sag Point Antenna Bracket |
Sump Level Monitoring (2003)
Instrumentation Services installed a demonstration sump water level monitoring system at the 12th Ave. pumping station on Highway 99 in Sacramento. An ultrasonic level sensor detects water level. A data logger sends data periodically via cellular telephone to a remote computer which processes the data and sends it to an FTP site for viewing.
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12th
Ave. Pump House |
Installing Level Sensor |
Data Logger & Phone |
Water Level Plot |
Bridge Scour Monitoring (1999 to present)
Remote terminal units have been installed on bridges to monitor bridge footing scour in river channels. Various types of sensors monitor water stage, sediment removal, and bridge tilt. This work is being done for the Structures Hydraulics Branch of the Office of Structures Design. Currently, 14 bridges have been instrumented.
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Remote Terminal Unit |
Four Bridge Tilt Sensors |
Avalanche Controller Retrofit (1998 to present)
A replacement controller unit comprised of a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) and a radio modem was designed and assembled by the Instrumentation Services Branch to remotely fire the GAZ-EX avalanche control exploders on Carson Spur and Carson Pass on SR 88 in District 10.
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Carson Spur Exploder A1 |
Controller Unit |
Carson Pass Shelter E |
In 2004, replacement controllers were installed in three shelters at June Lake on SR 158 in District 9.
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Working on the Shelter |
June Lake Exploder B1 |
June Lake Shelter A |
In 2006, replacement controllers were installed in three shelters at Echo Summit on SR 50 in District 3.
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Shelter C Installation |
Hike to Shelter B |
Shelter B Buried in Snow |
Troubleshooting Electronics |
In 2008, controllers were installed in two new shelters on Lee Vining Hill adjacent to SR 395 in District 9.
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View of Mono Lake |
Avalanche Shelter |
Avalanche Controller |
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