Full-scale pavement testing often utilizes embedded instrumentation to measure the effect of traffic loading. As with any scientific measurement, confidence in the data from these sensors relies on proper calibration and installation. Manufacturers of sensors typically perform calibration tests before shipment, but these tests are not standardized. In addition, some manufacturers provide only one calibration sheet covering a batch of sensors, while others provide calibration results for each sensor. Many transducers are calibrated to produce voltage sensitivity factors; however, not all data acquisition systems accept these as inputs. This was the case at the pavement testing facility of the Minnesota Department of Transportation, where a new data acquisition system required gauge factors. This paper describes the development of a bench calibration testing procedure that uses a digital image correlation system to determine system gauge factors (SGFs) for two types of asphalt strain transducers. The calibration results clearly show that each transducer has a unique SGF that should be used when transforming collected strain data. Although the procedure that was developed produced consistent SGFs between tests, several improvements are recommended. The variations in SGFs found in this study demonstrate the need for fully understanding the calibration of strain transducers and the data acquisition systems to which they are connected.


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    Title :

    Calibration of Asphalt Strain Transducers by Using Digital Image Correlation


    Additional title:

    Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board


    Contributors:


    Publication date :

    2017-01-01




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English





    CALIBRATION OF TRANSDUCERS

    SHEPHERD ALAN / HEALEY MARK | European Patent Office | 2017

    Free access

    CALIBRATION OF TRANSDUCERS

    HEALY MARK / SHEPHERD ALAN | European Patent Office | 2017

    Free access