Abstract: A method for classifying a response signal of acceleration data of a structure includes obtaining at least one signal feature of a response signal, inputting the at least one signal feature into an artificial neural network, and classifying, using the artificial neural network, the response signal as an impact event or a non-impact event. One or more signal features may be used, including a response length feature, a number of peaks feature, a spectral energy feature, a dominant frequency feature, a maximum response feature, a center of mass feature, a slope feature, an average peak power feature, a response symmetry feature, or combinations thereof. One or more artificial neural networks may be used. The artificial neural networks may be trained using different combinations of signal features.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for detecting impairments of a structure in the absence of permanent sensor systems comprising: obtaining time-varying sensor data on a user device; filtering the time-varying sensor data obtained by the user device to determine a vibration response from structural infrastructure; and estimating structural responses of the structure by comparing at least one of: dynamic (short-term) sensor data to an analytical model of the structure; or dynamic sensor data from different user devices at different points in time (long-term), to determine if there has been any significant change in the structure with time.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for determining time-varying stress experienced by a structure comprising: obtaining images that include the structure; segmenting the second and any subsequent images to include the “static” portions that are identified from the first image; computing with a processor the affine transformations between the first and second, and optionally subsequent images, sequence of images; estimating a deformation (i.e. translation and rotation) undergone by the structure; and converting the deformation to estimate the structural stress by using one or more scaling functions) to generate the time-varying stress experienced by the structure.

Abstract: A method for classifying a response signal of acceleration data of a structure includes obtaining at least one signal feature of a response signal, inputting the at least one signal feature into an artificial neural network, and classifying, using the artificial neural network, the response signal as an impact event or a non-impact event. One or more signal features may be used, including a response length feature, a number of peaks feature, a spectral energy feature, a dominant frequency feature, a maximum response feature, a center of mass feature, a slope feature, an average peak power feature, a response symmetry feature, or combinations thereof. One or more artificial neural networks may be used. The artificial neural networks may be trained using different combinations of signal features.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for determining a soil classification comprising: obtaining a soil sample; conducting two or more of the following tests in the field, wherein the tests are selected from wash test, a feel test, a test tube particle graduation, or a jar test, to obtain raw data for each test; and calculating the soil classification from the raw data obtained in the field by applying a previously obtained validation dataset obtained from a training and validation soil classification calculation using known samples. The invention also includes compressed earth blocks made using the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for determining time-varying stress experienced by a structure comprising: obtaining images that include the structure; segmenting the second and any subsequent images to include the “static” portions that are identified from the first image; computing with a processor the affine transformations between the first and second, and optionally subsequent images, sequence of images; estimating a deformation (i.e. translation and rotation) undergone by the structure; and converting the deformation to estimate the structural stress by using one or more scaling functions) to generate the time-varying stress experienced by the structure.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for detecting impairments of a structure in the absence of permanent sensor systems comprising: obtaining time-varying sensor data on a user device; filtering the time-varying sensor data obtained by the user device to determine a vibration response from structural infrastructure; and estimating structural responses of the structure by comparing at least one of: dynamic (short-term) sensor data to an analytical model of the structure; or dynamic sensor data from different user devices at different points in time (long-term), to determine if there has been any significant change in the structure with time.