Celebrating its Centenary in 2008, the University of Pretoria (UP) is a leading research university in South Africa and one of the largest in the country. UP offers more than 1800 academic programmes offered in nine faculties, as well as a business school and is at the forefront of tertiary education in the country through collaboration with partners of excellence in learning and teaching. The vision is international recognition for the relevance and impact of its research, as well as for developing people and making a difference both locally and globally.
Project background
Creep testing in concrete is a lengthy process carried out under specified conditions to test the tendency of concrete to move slowly or deform permanently due to exposure to natural elements and mechanical forces. This is a critical measurement in building technology, as it influences structural design and mixing ratios in building materials.
The Department of Civil Engineering at UP perform creep testing manually by logging and measuring creep with a dial gauge attached to a concrete specimen. Typically, creep testing can run for a period of six months to two years, thus requiring excessive human input and introducing a high probability of error or omission, rendering invalid results.
Once data is captured, it then has to be entered into a programme for further analysis. The solution required a data logging system that UP could install, configure and operate with relative ease. Additional capabilities required included autonomous data capturing over an extended period with minimal human intervention, with the ability to cater for future expansion.
The Yokogawa solution
Yokogawa’s GM Datalogger replaces all manual steps in the creep test process, enabling test facility personnel to monitor the measurements from any computer via the faculty’s LAN. Additional features of this system include the remote starting or stopping of recording, the broadcast of alarms over the network and the automatic backup of data to a central server at specified intervals as per UP’s requirements. Benefits were identified as follows:
• Continuous data acquisition at specified intervals.
• Dynamic calculations based on the acquired data.
• Graphical representation of the data.
• Automated archiving of the data.
• Alarming of out of limit conditions.
Yokogawa’s GM Datalogger is a fit for purpose system designed for easy integration, which allowed UP to install the unit themselves. The user-friendly graphics and analysis tools ensured a short start-up time, enabling UP to begin automated creep testing almost immediately.
The unit is a rack-mounted, expandable data acquisition system designed to cater for high channel count, distributed datalogging applications and it is coupled with a graphic logging, reporting and analysis software package (GA10) to complement the analysis capabilities. In future, the expandable nature of the design will allow UP to extend the system to other test stations in the faculty.
Lessons in long-distance telemetry Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Industrial Wireless Data Acquisition & Telemetry
Key engineering lessons from decades of deploying wireless telemetry systems in demanding industrial applications, covering network management, power constraints, physical challenges and the value of open, simplified architectures.
Read more...Yokogawa digital plant to accelerate green hydrogen revolution Yokogawa South Africa
Editor's Choice Electrical Power & Protection IT in Manufacturing
Yokogawa explains how a digital plant approach and autonomous operations can integrate the full green hydrogen value chain, from renewable power generation to end-use applications, and why digitalisation and system integration are central to making green hydrogen viable in South Africa.
Read more...Fire risk assessments are the foundation of a safer workplace
Data Acquisition & Telemetry
Fire safety is often only considered after an incident has occurred. One of the most effective ways for organisations to protect their people, assets and operations is through a professional fire risk assessment.
Read more...Flow imaging microscopy for the early detection of harmful algal blooms Yokogawa South Africa
Flow Measurement & Control
Yokogawa’s advanced flow imaging microscopy technology, FlowCam is helping utilities move from reactive treatment to proactive prevention of harmful algal blooms in reservoirs, dams and freshwater sources.
Read more...Yokogawa’s free chlorine analyser is gold standard for water treatment utilities Yokogawa South Africa
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
One of the key factors in ensuring safe drinking water is the accurate monitoring of free chlorine residuals. This is where advanced online analysers, such as Yokogawa’s FC800 free chlorine analyser, are becoming increasingly valuable for water treatment operators and municipal utilities.
Read more...How one manufacturer gained live inventory control Rockwell Automation
Data Acquisition & Telemetry
A metal forming company that provides laser blanking, press brake forming, welding and powder coating to OEMs recognised the need for a more advanced ERP system after relying on the same solution for over 15 years.
Read more...RFID tunnel solution for intralogistics
Data Acquisition & Telemetry
Turck Banner’s new UHF-SYS-TUNNEL RFID tunnel offers a ready-to-use, flexible detection solution for the automation of intralogistics processes.
Read more...Taking control of your warehouse stock is no walk in the park TransLution Software
Data Acquisition & Telemetry
Most companies focus on their production operations as a pain point. This is a mistake, as scheduling, moving, tracking and reporting on inventory at the operational level can have a major impact on production efficiency and profitability.
Read more...The industrial era of wireless telemetry and radio communication Schneider Electric South Africa
Data Acquisition & Telemetry
Today’s advanced wireless telemetry offers a range of benefits that go beyond cost savings, including greater flexibility and mobility, remote monitoring capabilities, and enhanced safety.
Read more...Connecting every transport node RJ Connect
Editor's Choice Data Acquisition & Telemetry
Stockholm's bus system strategically links urban mainline, suburban mainline, non-mainline routes, community service buses and night buses. To acquire and process data from multiple sources and analyse onboard information on their moving buses, Transdev sought a dependable and powerful onboard computer. It teamed up with CatAB, Moxa’s local representative, known for delivering top-notch industrial data communication boards and equipment since 1988.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version