Remote Automatic Data Acquisition Systems

Personal computers have been used on two projects to monitor peformance of structures in an automatically triggered mode. In both cases a local PC is used to continually monitor a triggering condition and automatically collect, analyze and store data when the condition is met. Data are collected by scanning a multi-channel programmable Analog-to-Digital converter interface card. Both systems can be accessed by a remote PC via a telecommunication software package to retrieve accumulated data and review or adjust the systems operation. One system monitors building motions measured with accelerometers and triggered by an anemometer. The other system monitors power requirements and structural stresses in a bascule bridge during operation.