This thesis summarizes two further developments of the Autonomous Crack Monitoring (ACM) system, which facilitates simultaneous measurement of crack response to environmental changes and various dynamic events. The first component was measurement of crack responses in three different materials and locations in a residential structure subjected to ground vibrations produced...
Public concern over construction vibration-induced cracking has led to the development of a radically new approach to vibration, an autonomous crack comparometer (ACC). This thesis chronicles the first step of developing equipment and software necessary for this system. The new system will automatically compare longterm weather induced micrometer changes in...
This appendix synthesizes micrometer changes in crack width in response to both long term (environmental) and transient (blast vibration) of four of the structures in the main body. The appendix begins with a description of the genesis of the study and instruments employed. Response of the distressed wood-framed structure in...
Crack and structural response to construction trench blasting was measured in a woodframe house with a stucco exterior. Blasts at distances between 232 m to 368 m produced peak particle velocities (PPV) and air blast over pressures (AB) of 9 mm/sec and 0.02 kPa (123 dB), respectively. Structural response velocities...
A unique judicial opportunity allowed measurement of the response of three cracks in residential structure to blasting for underground aggregate mining. Instrumented cracks were located in the interior basement CMU mortar and upstairs dry wall as well as exterior brick work. The dynamic environment was unusual. Even though the blasting...
Micro-meter dynamic crack responses in a two story structure to rock blasting- and wind gust- excitation are compared to those induced by long term climatological effects. These measurements substantiate the conservancy of the 12.5 mm/s (0.5 in./s) blasting vibration control to protect residential structures against cracking. The test structure was...
This paper describes the technology and methods deployed in the continuous autonomous remote monitoring of cracks in interior and exterior walls of a residence near a limestone quarry. The object is to quantitatively compare crack response to blast-induced ground motion to that induced by diurnal temperature changes, weather fronts, and...
The notion of blasting, even in a controlled setting such as a limestone quarry, can be alarming to residents and business owners within earshot. Because humans are inherently sensitive to blast-induced vibrations, they perceive that the structures in which they live in are equally sensitive. The goal of this project...