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Session N0: 2795

DESIGN OF A PORTABLE DAQ SYSTEM FOR TEACHING GEOMECHANICS

Jiang Li, Matthew Y. Lee

Morgan State University/Amherst College

Abstract

The main purpose of this paper is to present the design of a portable data acquisition (DAQ) system for use in both education and research in geomechanics. This portable data acquisition system can serve not only as a simulator for various tests in geomechanics but also as genuine data acquisition equipment for multiple purposes on sites. When it is used as a simulator, it can be operated either as a helpful aid in teaching or as a physical model in research. This system can be adopted for both lab and field measurements. It is especially convenient for field projects since the DAQ system is portable and light. This system is designed for multiple purposes. For instance, the data acquisition can measure and record stress/force, strain/displacement, velocity/acceleration, temperatures, etc. that are related to projects in civil engineering such as pile driving, foundation loading/unloading and deformation of infrastructure (i.e., pavement, slope, retaining wall, bridges etc). This system can also serve as a virtual laboratory device for purposes of teaching and research in engineering mechanics (i.e., oscilloscopes, frequency response analyzers, signal generators, A/D or D/A data converters, etc.).

In the present paper, the design of the DAQ system is discussed from two perspectives: 1) design of the DAQ system with respect to necessary hardware, 2) design of the DAQ system with regard to required software. In brief, the effort made in this paper is to demonstrate new developments made with a portable data acquisition system applicable to the lab and field projects as well as teaching in geomechanics. It is clear that this convenient and powerful tool will help faculty in both teaching and research, as well as help engineering students in studies of Geomechanics or Engineering Mechanics.

I. Introduction

A revolution in high technology areas including computer technology and applications is currently in progress. Personal computers (PC) are more and more popular due to rapid technological advances and a simultaneous decrease of price. Now personal computers are smaller, lighter and more affordable, and yet faster and more powerful. Today, personal computers become an important part of our lives. It is predicted that in a few short years, supercomputers with high performance will debut and eventually become commonplace in normal families and homes. Since personal computers have become widely affordable due to the dramatic price drop in the computer industry, currently more and more universities are requiring that college students purchase a portable computer (1). Because personal computers have been physically reduced in size and weight,

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Li, J., & Lee, M. (2002, June), Design Of A Portable Daq System For Teaching Geomechancis Paper presented at 2002 Annual Conference, Montreal, Canada. 10.18260/1-2--10417