Geomaterial Density Measurement via Surface Deformation
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for estimating the competence of ground conditions in construction areas, such as soil compaction, are invasive, time-consuming, and often rely on harmful radiation, limiting their accuracy and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a distance sensor system to measure surface deformation of geomaterial layers during compaction and an electronic processing system to automatically estimate geomaterial layer properties like density, stiffness, and modulus using pre-defined relationships or machine-learning models, without physical contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive measurement methods (sand replacement, rubber balloon density, borehole shear testing) are used to measure geomaterial density, then measurement can be performed, but the process is time-consuming (2-7 days for results) and requires manual sampling and recompaction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces invasive mechanical measurement systems (sand replacement, rubber balloon, borehole testing) with a non-contact optical measurement system using lasers and cameras to measure surface deformation, eliminating the need for physical sampling and manual recompaction operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces surface deformation as an intermediary measurement parameter that can be captured in real-time during compaction, which then serves as a proxy indicator for geomaterial density through calibrated relationships, avoiding direct density measurement delays
2Measurement precision
If nuclear density gauge (NDG) is used to measure ground density, then density measurement is achieved, but harmful radiation is emitted and measurements are slow due to pointwise measurement requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the nuclear density gauge's radiation-based measurement system with an optical measurement system using lasers and cameras that detect surface deformation, completely eliminating harmful radiation emission while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy/deformation map of the geomaterial surface that correlates to density information, replacing the need for direct nuclear radiation interaction with the material
3Area of stationary object
If multiple pointwise measurements are made over large areas with multiple layers, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but the measurement process becomes slow and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional pointwise measurements to two-dimensional surface deformation mapping by capturing the entire compaction area with optical sensors, enabling simultaneous measurement of multiple locations across large areas
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple pointwise measurement operations into a single comprehensive surface deformation capture operation, where the entire area is measured simultaneously rather than sequentially at discrete points
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables real-time, non-destructive, and continuous monitoring of geomaterial layer properties during compaction, improving accuracy and reducing the need for invasive measurements, thus enhancing the quality assurance of construction processes.
Implementation Method 1
a distance sensor system 302 located/oriented/configured to (continuously/continually/repeatedly) measure a (surface) deformation ΔN (or height change) of a geomaterial portion
Data Source
AI summary
A system including:a distance sensor system located/oriented/configured to measure a deformation of a geomaterial portion due to compaction of the geomaterial portion; andan electronic processing system configured to:receive signals from the distance sensor system representing the measured deformation, andautomatically generate an estimate/measure of a geomaterial layer property of the geomaterial portion based on:the measured deformation; anda pre-defined relationship/model that associates deformation values with geomaterial layer property values (e.g., density values, stiffness values, modulus values, energy values, or layer thicknesses during compaction).