Abstract: A borehole inspection device and method of using the same to measure the condition of the bottom extent of a borehole, the system having a head unit assembly with top and bottom sides and including at least one downwardly extending force sensor configured to measure a reaction force applied to the at least one sensor as it engages a bottom extent of the borehole, the inspection device being configured to be lowered into a borehole and to bring the sensor(s) into contact with the bottom extent wherein continued downward movement of the head unit creates the reaction force on the sensor(s) to determine at least one of a location of an associated debris layer, a bearing capacity of the associated debris layer, the thickness of the associated debris layer, the location of an associated bearing layer and/or the bearing capacity of the associated bearing layer.

Abstract: An inspection system to measure the condition of at least a wall of a ground opening, the inspection system having a head unit for lowering into a borehole during a data collection phase wherein at least one set of test data is collected concerning one or more physical characteristics of the borehole during the data collection phase, the head unit having an internal measurement system and a sensor arrangement with a plurality of sensors facing radially outwardly of a head axis that is generally parallel to at least a portion of a borehole axis, the plurality of sensors allowing the head unit to be moved during the data collection phase without rotation about the head axis, the plurality of sensors at least partially producing the at least one set of test data collected during the data collection phase.

Abstract: A non-contact strain and/or displacement measurement system for use with structural objects having an optical device, a data store and an image arrangement that is fixed relative to the structural object to be tested, the optical device including an image receiving device for receiving visual images and the data store being configured to record the received visual images, the image receiving device being spaced from the image arrangement by an optical spacing such that the image receiving device has a visual range that includes a portion of the structural object and the image arrangement being within the portion, the image arrangement having at least one image element wherein movement of the at least one image element during a measurement period provides image data to calculate structural object strain and/or structural object displacement.

Abstract: An inspection system to measure the condition of at least a wall of a ground opening, the inspection system having a head unit for lowering into a borehole during a data collection phase wherein at least one set of test data is collected concerning one or more physical characteristics of the borehole during the data collection phase, the head unit having an internal measurement system and a sensor arrangement with a plurality of sensors facing radially outwardly of a head axis that is generally parallel to at least a portion of a borehole axis, the plurality of sensors allowing the head unit to be moved during the data collection phase without rotation about the head axis, the plurality of sensors at least partially producing the at least one set of test data collected during the data collection phase.

Abstract: A displacement measuring system to measure the displacement of a structural object that includes a transmitter having a signal generator and an antenna wherein the antenna is securable relative to one of a displaced object and a support. The antenna defines a transmitter axis that is parallel to the displacement axis of the object and a centerline that is perpendicular to the displacement axis. The system further includes a first receiver and a second receiver having antennas securable relative to the other of the object and the support. The receiver antennas are positioned along a receiver axis that is parallel to the displacement axis and being spaced along the receiver axis on either side of the center line. The receiver antennas are configured to detect a signal emitted by the transmitter. The system further includes a phase detector to triangulate phase change and calculate object displacement.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the forming of a solid object having a sensor string positionable in a forming structure before the curing process and a communication line extending along a string axis between a first and second end. The string further including a plurality of sensors joined to the communication line between the ends and each sensor being mounted at a set position on the line. Each sensor having a sensor body and a sensor housing and the sensor body including an electrical connecter to electrically join an electrical structure to the communication line at the set position. The electrical structure including a temperature sensor configured to monitor temperature near the set position and further including an electronic identification code corresponding to the set position of the sensor along the axis. The system further including a transmitting device for selectively communicating the temperature and identification code.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the forming of a solid object having a sensor string positionable in a forming structure before the curing process and a communication line extending along a string axis between a first and second end. The string further including a plurality of sensors joined to the communication line between the ends and each sensor being mounted at a set position on the line. Each sensor having a sensor body and a sensor housing and the sensor body including an electrical connecter to electrically join an electrical structure to the communication line at the set position. The electrical structure including a temperature sensor configured to monitor temperature near the set position and further including an electronic identification code corresponding to the set position of the sensor along the axis. The system further including a transmitting device for selectively communicating the temperature and identification code.

Abstract: A measurement device system and method of using the same for determining the depth of a pile being installed and/or the equipment used to install the pile. The device including an encoder assembly having a support attachable to a structural component of a rig wherein the support has a pivot joint coaxial with a load arm axis. The encoder assembly has a load arm rotatable about the arm axis and with a wheel near its distal end that is rotatable about a wheel axis with an encoder joined to the wheel that moves with the wheel. The encoder assembly further including a biasing assembly to urge the load arm and wheel into an engaged condition relative to the associated pile installation machine such that the wheel frictionally engages a surface of another structural component of the rig. Thus, the displacement of the first structural component relative to the second component rotates the wheel about the wheel axis and the encoder. This information can then be used to determine pile depth.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the forming of a solid object having a sensor string positionable in a forming structure before the curing process and a communication line extending along a string axis between a first and second end. The string further including a plurality of sensors joined to the communication line between the ends and each sensor being mounted at a set position on the line. Each sensor having a sensor body and a sensor housing and the sensor body including an electrical connecter to electrically join an electrical structure to the communication line at the set position. The electrical structure including a temperature sensor configured to monitor temperature near the set position and further including an electronic identification code corresponding to the set position of the sensor along the axis. The system further including a transmitting device for selectively communicating the temperature and identification code.

Abstract: A pile testing system for determining the load capacity of an in place pile and the system including a transducer assembly having a top extent and a bottom extent, the transducer assembly being generally fixed relative the pile top when in use and having a side wall transverse to the pile top and extending about a transducer axis, the transducer assembly further including at least one strain transducer joined to the wall of the transducer assembly, the at least one strain transducer configured to measure the applied load, the system further including at least one accelerometer fixed relative to the associated pile, the at least one accelerometer configured to calculate the movement of the associated pile when subjected to the applied load wherein the load capacity of the associated in place pile can be calculated based on the comparison between the applied load and the movement of the pile.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the forming of a solid object having a sensor string positionable in a forming structure before the curing process and a communication line extending along a string axis between a first and second end. The string further including a plurality of sensors joined to the communication line between the ends and each sensor being mounted at a set position on the line. Each sensor having a sensor body and a sensor housing and the sensor body including an electrical connecter to electrically join an electrical structure to the communication line at the set position. The electrical structure including a temperature sensor configured to monitor temperature near the set position and further including an electronic identification code corresponding to the set position of the sensor along the axis. The system further including a transmitting device for selectively communicating the temperature and identification code.

Abstract: A system and method of monitoring the installation of a pile in a ground surface. The system and method including the use of a portable monitoring device configured to allow real time data entry and display relating to the pile(s) being installed and having at least one data entry button for at least a portion of the data entry. The device further including a display for the display of desired data to help monitor and control the installation process.

Abstract: A capacitively-coupled strain sensor and methods are presented in which the strain on a structure is measured by the varying capacitance created by the displacement of one or more boards attached to the structure.

Abstract: A measurement device system and method of using the same for determining the depth of a pile being installed and/or the equipment used to install the pile. The device including an encoder assembly having a support attachable to a structural component of a rig wherein the support has a pivot joint coaxial with a load arm axis. The encoder assembly has a load arm rotatable about the arm axis and with a wheel near its distal end that is rotatable about a wheel axis with an encoder joined to the wheel that moves with the wheel. The encoder assembly further including a biasing assembly to urge the load arm and wheel into an engaged condition relative to the associated pile installation machine such that the wheel frictionally engages a surface of another structural component of the rig. Thus, the displacement of the first structural component relative to the second component rotates the wheel about the wheel axis and the encoder. This information can then be used to determine pile depth.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the forming of a solid object having a sensor string positionable in a forming structure before the curing process and a communication line extending along a string axis between a first and second end. The string further including a plurality of sensors joined to the communication line between the ends and each sensor being mounted at a set position on the line. Each sensor having a sensor body and a sensor housing and the sensor body including an electrical connecter to electrically join an electrical structure to the communication line at the set position. The electrical structure including a temperature sensor configured to monitor temperature near the set position and further including an electronic identification code corresponding to the set position of the sensor along the axis. The system further including a transmitting device for selectively communicating the temperature and identification code.

Abstract: Displacement of a subject is measured easily and accurately from a distant point by attaching a displacement measuring target, where two or four light sources are fixed on a flat, substrate to a measured point of the subject, comprehending displacement correction coefficients (Kx, Ky) expressing a relation between intervals in X and Y directions on the subject and interval detecting voltages corresponding to the intervals on the basis of position detecting voltages corresponding to positions of the light sources obtained by projecting the light from the respective light sources onto a PSD light receiving surface of a PSD camera, detecting displacement of the light source caused by displacement of the subject by the light receiving surface to output the position detecting voltage, and computing a two-dimensional or three-dimensional displacement amount of the measured point on the basis of the position detecting voltages and the displacement correction coefficients (Kx, Ky).

Abstract: A pile driving analyzer (PDA) which obtains, processes and stores pile driving data. The PDA is operable as an independent self-contained unit, or may be used in conjunction with a remote computer system. Position data indicative of the position of a pile, and pile data indicative of characteristics of a pile may be automatically input to the PDA. When used in conjunction with the remote computer system, the PDA may be controlled remotely by the remote computer system. Alternatively, the PDA may be controlled locally by an operator, and data acquired by the PDA provided to the remote computer system for monitoring and/or storage.

Abstract: A pile installation recording system for driven piles and auger cast piles. The recording system records a variety of parameter data received from sensing devices. The parameter data is stored, analyzed, and displayed to provide the operator with accurate and timely information regarding the pile installation. In addition, the parameter data may be stored on removable media, and further manipulated to generate a variety of reports regarding the pile installation.

Abstract: A device for calibrating strain gages and strain transducers. The device includes an assembly with a first section and a second section positioned in relation to each other such that a gap is defined between the two sections. A strain transducer is attached to the assembly across the defined gap. The assembly includes an adjustment device which alters the position of the sections in relation to each other, thereby redefining the gap. A displacement sensor detects a displacement signal occurring due to the redefining of the gap caused by operation of the adjustment device. A strain transducer output detector detects a strain output signal occurring also due to the redefining of the gap by the adjustment device. A calibrating device inputs the signals from the displacement sensor and the strain transducer output detector and provides a calibration for the strain transducer attached to the assembly.

Abstract: An accelerometer assembly is disclosed which includes an accelerometer mounting block formed of a rigid material having a proportion of the modulus of elasticity to the density of less than 15,000,000 psi/lb/in.sup.3. The natural frequency of the mounting block is safely below the accelerometer's response frequency but higher than the frequency to be recorded so that the mounting block does not resonate with high frequency vibrations and cause quick saturation of the accelerometer amplifier or erratic signals. The preferred mounting block is formed of polycarbonate, which is non-metallic, rigid, and lightweight, and has a natural frequency sufficiently below that of the accelerometer.