BDI Structural Testing System II (BDI-STSII)

Description

The Structural Testing System II by Bridge Diagnostics, Inc. (BDI-STSII) has been designed expressly for performing live-load tests on highway and railroad bridges. Developed through the experience of field testing more than 200 structures, the BDI-STSII is very portable, lightweight, and efficient to implement.

The BDI-STSII was developed because most data acquisition systems are so application-general that they require an electrical engineer or computer specialist to configure them. Furthermore, other systems often require soldering and other tedious procedures in order to assemble them. The BDI-STSII eliminates these hassles and allows the structural engineer to concentrate on evaluating the structure.

If you are currently using a standard data acquisition system along foil strain gages to collect your load test data, you will see your field time reduced to about one third with the BDI-STSII.

Simply put, if you are not using the BDI-STSII for load testing, you are wasting valuable field time!

Features

• The BDI Strain Transducers supplied with each BDI-STSII can be mounted to steel, concrete, or timber members in a matter of minutes. Only minimal surface preparation is required.
• In addition to very quick installation, our BDI Strain Transducers automatically identify themselves to the BDI-STSII, and are called “Intelliducers”. Intelliducers eliminate the need to track channel numbers or calibration factors.
• The Automatic Remote Load Position Indicator allows tracking of the loading vehicle as it crosses the structure. It also provides radio communication between the testing personnel.
• BDI WinSTS testing software is included and is very simple to use.
• The BDI-STSII units are connected in series and mounted on the structure. Only ONE cable runs from the PC/Power Supply up to the bridge.
• Lead-wire length for each sensor is only about 15 feet (6 meters), rather than the typical 100-200 feet (30-60 meters). This reduces weight and saves time rolling up cables.
• Heavy-duty, quick-lock military-style connectors are used throughout for easy and fast assembly.
• The BDI-STSII can be powered either by an 110/220 AC generator or a 12VDC battery.

Intelliducers ™ and other Sensors

Based on the successful use of the BDI Strain Transducers for structural testing, we have modified them to identify themselves to the BDI-STSII. With "Intelliducers™”, there is no need to track channel numbers or calibration factors since they are automatically detected and applied. You only need to write down the Intelliducer ID number and it’s location on the structure. You know how valuable this is if you have run field tests with many channels. In addition to recording strains (either with BDI Strain Transducers or foil strain gages), the BDI-STSII can easily accommodate LVDT's, accelerometers, and other full-bridge type sensors.

A Complete “Turnkey" System

The system comes complete, with the exception of a notebook PC and common hand tools for field work. The initial investment in the system will pay for itself after just a few uses in labor time alone! The ultimate problem faced by a bridge engineer who is doing testing is to translate a set of measurements into a load rating. When the BDI-STSII is combined with our structural analysis and load rating software, the structural engineer can efficiently evaluate all types of structures.

Remember when comparing prices that the BDI-STSII includes a full set of completely re-usable BDI Strain Transducers, the AutoClicker load positioning indicator that includes high quality Motorola communication radios, Windows testing software, transducer mounting tabs, adhesive, and all required power and communication cables.

WinSTS Software

The very easy-to-use BDI WinSTS control software runs under Windows, and allows control over sampling rates, test durations, and the automatic transducer circuit balancing. The recorded measurements can be displayed during the test and then shown as a function of load position when the test is completed. Data is stored in ASCII file format.

BDI-STSII Specifications

Channels	4 to 128, Expandable in multiples of 4
Accuracy	± 0.2% (2% for Strain Transducers)
Sample Rates	0.01 to 1,000 Hz Internal over-sampling rate is 15 KHz.
Gain Levels	1, 250, 500, 1000
Max.Test Lengths	20 minutes at 100Hz 128K samples per channel maximum test length.
Gain Levels	1, 250, 500, 1000
Digital Filter	Fixed by selected sample rate.
Analog Filter	200 Hz, -3db, 3rd order Bessel
Max. Input Voltage	± 10V
Power	85 - 264 VAC, 47-440 Hz -25 to 55 degrees C
12VDC Power	External inverter provided.
Excitation Voltages: Standard: LVDT:	5 VDC @ 200mA ±15VDC @ 200mA
A/D Resolution	2.44mV bit (14-Bit ADC)
PC Requirements	Windows 2000, XP
PC Interface	USB 1.1 Port (Compatible with USB 2.0)
Self-BalancingRange	± 25 mV @ input with 350Ω Wheatstone bridge
Enclosure	Aluminum splash resistant
Cable Connections	All aluminum military grade, circular bayonet “snap” lock.
Vehicle Tracking	See AutoClicker specifications
Sensors	See BDI Strain Transducer Specifications.Also supports LVDT’s, foil strain gages, accelerometers, various DC output sensors.Single RS232 serially-interfaced sensor.
Weights: STS Unit: Power Unit:	1.6 lbs (0.8 kg) 6.2 lbs (3.0 kg)
Dimensions: STS Unit: Power Unit:	11.8” x 3.4” x 1.7” (300mm x 87mm x 44mm) 13.5” x 9.5” x 2.4” (343mm x 242mm x 61 mm)