From Lehigh RTMD Wiki

Preface

As part of the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) Program, Lehigh University has established the Real-Time Multi-Directional (RTMD) earthquake simulation facility at the ATLSS Engineering Research Center. The RTMD earthquake simulation facility is a next-generation earthquake research facility for seismic performance evaluation of large-scale structural systems. This facility has advanced experimental and analytical simulation capabilities to test and validate complex and comprehensive analytical and computer numerical models, leading to advances in earthquake engineering and experimental methods. The facility features a multi-directional reaction wall, five dynamic actuators, advanced instrumentation, and a teleparticipation system consisting of real-time streaming data and video. Hydraulic power for the servo-actuator system is supplied by a system consisting of five pumps and three banks of accumulators that enables strong ground motion effects to be sustained in real-time for up to 30 seconds. Real-time multi-directional seismic testing of large-scale structural components and systems at the RTMD earthquake simulation facility can be performed using either the effective force method, pseudo-dynamic testing method, or the pseudo-dynamic hybrid testing method. Distributed hybrid pseudo-dynamic testing can also be performed using the RTMD facility in conjunction with other laboratory sites.

This User's Manual is intended to provide to the reader basic information about the RTMD facility to enable visitors to get acquainted with the facility, and assist researchers in preparing proposals to use the facility. The information provided in the Manual includes: information about the RTMD facility and equipment, test methods, telepresence, education and outreach, policies and procedures for using the facility and the organization of the RTMD facility. In addition to the RTMD facility, information about the ATLSS Engineering Research Facility and associated non-NEES equipment and facilities available to researchers is provided. The RTMD has an assortment of training materials, which along with the training workshop schedule, are summarized on the Lehigh NEES web page (see http://www.nees.lehigh.edu). The reader is referred to this link for information on training.

Facility Information

RTMD Overview

Lehigh University's NEES Real-time Multi-directional (RTMD) earthquake simulation facility is located within the Center for Advanced Technology for Large Structural Systems (ATLSS) on Lehigh University's Mountaintop Campus. Lehigh University is located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Directions to the RTMD facility are available at http://www.nees.lehigh.edu (see Contact Us).

Figure 1.1 ATLSS Multi-directional reaction wall

The RTMD earthquake simulation facility has the capabilities to perform real-time multi-directional testing using the effective force method, the pseudo-dynamic testing method, or the pseudo-dynamic hybrid testing method for the testing of large-scale structural components, structural subassemblages, and superassemblages under earthquake excitations. The RTMD earthquake simulation facility also has the capability to perform distributed hybrid testing with other remote research facilities that utilize NEES telecontrol protocols. The earthquake simulation tests are accomplished using the ATLSS multi-directional reaction wall in conjunction with NEES equipment. A summary of these is given below.

The equipment portfolio and resources of the RTMD earthquake simulation facility include:

NEES Equipment

Actuators - five dynamic actuators, each ported for three servo-valves with stroke ranges of +/- 500 mm, and having the following maximum force capacity:
- 3 actuators @ 1700 kN capacity at 20.7 MPa (3000 psi)
- 2 actuators @ 2300 kN capacity at 20.7 MPa (3000 psi)
- The maximum velocity that can be achieved by the actuators is 840 mm/sec (2300 kN actuators) and 1140 mm/sec (1700 kN actuators) when three servo-valves are placed on the actuators and the supply hydraulic pressure is 20.7 MPa (3000 psi). With a force on the actuator, the velocity capacity will be reduced. Shown below in Figure 1.2 is the force-velocity capacity relationship for each actuator, with the number of servo-valves on the actuator ranging from 1 to 3.

Figure 1.2 Hydraulic actuator power envelop for (a) 1700 kN actuators, and (b) 2300 kN actuators (20.7 MPa supply pressure)

Servo-valves - ten three-stage, high flow-rate servo-valves rated at 1500 liters/min at 11 MPa (400 gpm at 1600 psi).
Hydraulic distribution lines and service manifolds - maximum operating pressure of 24 MPa (3500 psi).
Accumulators - 3028 liters (800 gallons) total capacity with a maximum operating pressure of 24 MPa (3500 psi). A hydraulic system connects the accumulators to the pressure line of a five pump 2250 liter/min (594 gpm) hydraulic system. The total hydraulic power supply therefore consists of the five pump system and the accumulators. Peak flow rates of 15,150 liter/min (4000 gpm) have been obtained using this hydraulic power supply, and enables typical strong ground motion effects to be sustained for up to 30 seconds.
Control System - digital 8-channel 1024 Hz control system with real-time hybrid control packages, with each channel of the controller designed to follow an independent, random load, or displacement history. Five of the eight channels are operational for controlling the NEES actuators.
Video System - digital high quality video cameras, network video cameras, digital video server, data server, restricted access web server, and a public access web server. Digital video and data are provided by means of the video and telepresence servers. The digital video is acquired from 4 pan-tilt-zoom web cameras and two fixed position cameras controlled through a user interface on the telepresence server.
Simulation System - combination of a host workstation and target real-time PC which applies the algorithms that generate commands for actuators. Synchronizes data channels from the control system and data acquisition system with simulation data and triggers camera snapshots aligned with simulation data. Support for MATLAB and LabVIEW configurations along with NEES hybrid protocols.
Data Acquisition System - high speed 256-channel data acquisition system, capable of acquiring data at 1024 Hz (1024 samples per second) sample rate per channel and expansion to 384 channels.
Advanced sensors - wireless MEMS-based accelerometers, piezoelectric transducers (strain and acceleration measurement), and fiber optic strain gages of Stimulated Brillouin Scattering principles.
Conventional sensors - DC-LVDTs, accelerometers and inclinometers.

ATLSS Overview

The ATLSS Center includes a multi-directional testing laboratory with a 12.1 m (39.7 ft) by 30.5 m (100.1 ft) strong floor and reaction walls up to 15.3 m (50.2 ft) in height along two full sides and parts of two others. The reaction wall and test floor have a 1.524 m (5.0 ft) square grid of high capacity anchor points which allow large-scale two-and three-dimensional test structures and test frames to be fastened to the wall and floor to facilitate multi-directional (multi-axis) loading.

The lab is equipped to generate multi-directional static and time-varying loads. The hydraulic power system consists of five pumps that deliver 2272 liters/min (600 gpm) at 24 MPa (3500 psi).

The ATLSS Center has three main data acquisition systems (1 with 256 channels and 2 with 192 channels) for conditioning and acquiring data from experimental research. More than 200 channels of signal conditioners are available for use with these systems. Data acquisition systems for remote data logging are available for field tests; these systems are also used in the lab. The laboratory floor has been equipped with a switched gigabit network, providing network connections every 4.57 m (15.0 ft) along the reaction walls. Network connections in the laboratory currently connect to the main campus backbone by way of a switched fiber optic network.

Adjacent to the strong floor is a sizeable service area for specimen fabrication, preparation, instrumentation, and storage. The service area contains welding equipment, a large-bed drill press, a band saw, a grinder, and an array of hand tools.

The ATLSS Multidirectional Experimental Lab is served by a radio-controlled overhead traveling crane with a 178 kN main hoist and a 45 kN auxiliary hoist. Large overhead doors (6.1 m tall by 7.6 m wide) (20.0 ft tall by 24.9 ft wide) and large paved areas outside the lab provide easy access for tractor-trailer trucks delivering test specimens, equipment, materials, and supplies to the lab.

Within the Imbt Laboratories Building, the ATLSS Center operates a Mechanical Testing Laboratory, a Welding and Heat Treating Laboratory, and Metallography and Microscopy Laboratories. See Section 6 for details.

RTMD Equipment Specifications

Hydraulic Supply System

The hydraulic supply system consists of 5 pumps, 450 liters/min (118.9 gallons/min) each and 16 piston accumulators, 190 liters (50.2 gallons) each connected to 9 Nitrogen gas bottles, 1325 liters (850.2 gallons) each. This configuration enables a typical earthquake to be simulated on a 4-floor one-half scale frame structure in real time for 30 seconds with the supply pressure maintained within 20.7~24.1 MPa. The accumulators and gas bottles are expandable. If there is a higher flow rate demand, more gas bottles and accumulators may be purchased and configured.

Pumps

There are 5 variable axial piston pumps. Each of them provides a flow rate of 450 liters/min (120 gpm). The pump pressure limits are set at 24 MPa (3500 psi). When the supply pressure reaches this limit, the pump outputs zero flow. Table 1.1 lists the pump system specification.

Table 1.1 Pump system specification
Pump Flow Capacity	2,250	liters/min (total)
Pump Pressure	24.1	MPa
Continuous Power Rating	1,800	kW (input power capacity)
Continuous Power Output	912.2	KW (output power)
Fluid Viscosity @ 40C	46	cSt (mm2/s)
Fluid Density @ 15C	0.87	Kg/m3

Accumulators

There are 16 piston accumulators connected to 9 gas bottles. Each piston provides 190 liters (50 gallons) of flow and each gas bottle combines 1325 liters (350 gallons) of Nitrogen. The hydraulic pressure can be charged to 24 MPa (3500 psi) by the pumps. When fully discharged, the accumulators still maintains hydraulic pressure above 20.7 MPa (3000 psi) if the subsequent flow rate demand can be sustained by the 5 pumps. The specification for the accumulator system is listed in Table 1.2.

Table 1.2 Accumulator system specification
Accumulator Gas Volume	11,923	liters
Accumulator Oil Volume	3,028	liters
Peak Flow Capacity	> 13,605	liters/min
Normal Operation Pressure	20.7~24.1	MPa
Peak Power Capacity	> 4,693.7	KW

Actuators

There are 5 hydraulic actuators. Two of them have a maximum load capacity of ±2300KN at 20.7 MPa (517 kip at 3000 psi). The remaining three actuators have a maximum load capacity ±1700KN at 20.7 MPa (382 kip at 3000 psi). However, the external physical dimension and appearance for these five actuators are all same. The nominal supply pressure for the actuators is 20.7 MPa (3000 psi) but a pressure of 24.1 MPa (3500 psi) can also be supplied. Table 1.3 lists the hydraulic actuator specification. Dimensions of the actuators and clevises are shown in Figure 1.3.

Table 1.3 Hydraulic actuator specification
Actuator Type	200-100-1700	200-1000-1250
Quantity	2	3
Load Regulation Accuracy	0.2% FS (but no higher than ±0.23KN)	0.2% FS (but no higher than ±0.17KN)
Load Tracking Dynamic Bandwidth	> 10Hz	> 10Hz
Displacement Regulation Accuracy (Static)	0.2% FS (but no higher than ±0.1mm)	0.2% FS (but no higher than ±0.1mm)
Displacement Tracking Dynamic Bandwidth	> 10Hz	> 10Hz
Load Capacity	±2300KN @ 20.7MPa	±1700KN @ 20.7MPa
Speed Capacity	0.84m/s (33in/s)	1.14m/s(45in/s)
Piston Diameter	424mm	378mm
Piston Rod Diameter	200mm	200mm
Stroke	±500 mm	±500 mm
Total Chamber Volume	114 liters	84 liters
Chamber Internal Leakage	0.15 liters/min/bar	0.15 liters/min/bar
Chamber External Leakage	0.01 liters/min/bar	0.01 liters/min/bar
Moving Part Mass (Piston & Rod Assembly)	950Kg (approximately)	900Kg (approximately)
Actuator Weight	6100Kg	6120Kg
Actuator Dimension	5.36m x 1.25m x 1.35m (length x width x height)	5.36m x 1.25m x 1.35m (length x width x height)

Note: The actuators are all double rod actuators (i.e., the left and right chamber effective actuating areas are the same). Hydrostatic bearing at both headers make them frictionless.

Figure 1.3 Schematic of actuators and dimensions

Servo-valves

10 servo valves (labeled as A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,J,K) are configured to the 5 actuators. The default configuration has Valves A and B assigned to Actuator 1 (±1700KN) (±382 kip), Valves C and D to Actuator 2 (±1700KN) (±382 kip), Valves E and F to Actuator 3 (±1700KN) (±382 kip), Valves G and H to Actuator 4 (±2300KN) (±517 kip), and Valves J and K to Actuator 5 (±2300KN) (±517 kip). If an actuator needs to have three servo-valves mounted, the third valve can be selected from one of these 10 servo-valves. The servo-valve specification is listed below in Table 1.4.

Table 1.4 Servo-valve specification
Servo-Valve Model	SV1200 (Servotest)
Servo-Valve Stages	3
Pilot Valve Model	G772-204(Moog)
Servo-Valve Quantity	10
Flow Rate Capacity (Single Valve)	550gpm @ 20.7MPa (3000psi)
Dynamic Bandwidth	30Hz @ -6db
Working Temperature	< 55C
Servo-Valve Assembly Weight (Single)	Approx 50Kg (including bladder accumulators)
Single Bladder Accumulator Volume and Initial Gas Pressure	10 liter capacity, supply port pressure = 170bar, return port pressure = 10bar
Supply Pressure Ports	38.1mm-6000SAE x 2
Return Ports	50mm-3000SAE x 2

Note: The servo-valve is a 4th order system with certain nonlinear properties. A 30 Hz bandwidth is measured when the spool opening amplitude is equal to 100 %. For small opening sinusoid tracking, the bandwidth may go higher to 140 Hz.

Hydraulic Service Manifold (HSM)

There are 10 HSMs, each connecting one of the 10 servo-valves with the pump-accumulator hydraulic supply system. Each HSM is configured for one servo-valve, providing high pressure, low pressure, and shutoff operations.

The high pressure state is the normal operation state which passes through a maximum flow rate of 2082 liters/min (550 gpm) and a normal supply pressure of 20.7 Mpa ~ 24.1 Mpa. If the supply pressure is lower than 15 MPa (2176 psi), this state will be disabled.

The low pressure state provides a low pressure of 7 MPa (1015 psi) with an adjustable flow rate of 0~70 liters/min (which is adjusted by a throttle valve). The low pressure state is often used for configuration of the actuators for test preparation.

The shutoff state is used to disconnect the hydraulic supply from the servo-valves or actuators. It is often used after the test is done or when an emergency stop (E-Stop) needs to be activated.

Each of the HSMs have the dimensions of 465 mm x 420 mm x 451 mm (1.5 ft x 1.4 ft x 1.5 ft) (length x width x height). Each HSM connects to a servo-valve using two 38.1 mm (1.5 in) diameter hydraulic hoses for the hydraulic supply pressure line and two 50 mm (2.0 in) diameter hydraulic hoses for the hydraulic return line. The hydraulic pump-accumulator supply system connects to each HSM using two 50 mm (2.0 in) diameter hydraulic hoses for the hydraulic supply pressure line and two 50 mm (2.0 in) diameter hydraulic hoses for the return line. The HSM specification is given below in Table 1.5.

Table 1.5 Hydraulic Service Manifold specification
Model	B550-3412
Serial No.	6162~6171
Quantity	10
Low Pressure Output	0~7MPa
Low Pressure Flow Rate	0~70liters/min
High Pressure Pass Through	16~28MPa
High Pressure Flow Rate Capacity	2082 liters/min
Low/High Switching Pressure	15MPa
Inlet Pressure Ports	50 mm-6000SAE x 2
Inlet Return Ports	50 mm-3000SAE x 2
Outlet Pressure Ports	38.1 mm-6000SAE x 2
Outlet Return Ports	50 mm-3000SAE x 2

Servo-Controller

The servo controller (DCS 2000, and referred to herein as Controller), communicates with all of the servo-valves, actuators, transducers, HSM control box and simulation computer (RTMDsim) as part of the servo-control system. The Controller consists of the following components:

The Host Computer running Windows 2000 (referred to in this Guide as RTMDctrl), is an IBM Bus-based system including a high resolution graphics subsystem driving a high quality color monitor, serial and parallel subsystem which handles keyboard, printer and mouse devices, a SCSI or IDE high capacity hard disc and at least 128MByte of memory with cached processor memory subsystem. The software for system control is called Pulsar which consists of a series of modules such as: Control, Monitor, Limits, Database, Oscilloscope, Data Logger, Reply, Filter, Wavegen, etc. A PID control module is built in. For developing a user's control law, implementation is achieved through Socket building. Matlab-Simulink is used to program the user's control law and Real-Time Workshop is used to generate C-code, which is loaded into the database by the Socket Wizard. Thus, a user's control law can be implemented, including a simulation using hydraulic-off mode.

The Controller consist of a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) Real-time Control Card (Module 2201), which is plugged into the RTMDctrl. The card contains a TMS320C30 DSP to deliver sustained (33MFLOP) performance in real-time, local memory, and a high speed Bus Master Interface to RTMDctrl. The DSP can control up to 16 actuators. Sampling rate is set at 1024Hz.

Two External Conditioning 'XBus' Subsystems. These enclosures are connected to the DSP Controller at RTMDctrl via shielded high speed bus cables. The XBus systems each contain individual power supplies and a backplane bus into which are plugged various input/output cards. All analogue channels have individual 16 bit resolution ADC or DAC systems which convert simultaneously to improve throughput and eliminate signal skew. The cards installed for the five actuators are:

Five 2202-0 conditioner cards, which process transducer signals, converting them into digital form for the DSP and performs the carrier signal generation for the transducer. Each card serves the load cell conditioning and displacement transducer conditioning for one actuator.
Ten 2203-0 3-stage servo-valve system drive cards, which take digital data from the XBus and converts to analogue valve drive current. Each card serves one servo-valve such that there are 10 cards configured for these 10 servo-valves.
One 2206-0 Digital I/O card, which provides a group of digital channels, writable and readable from the XBus.

Two 2207-2 Hydraulic Control Boxes, which operate the Hydraulic Service Manifold (HSM) via solenoid valves. The HSMs switch on/off hydraulic supply to/from servo-valves (one HSM for one servo valve). Each Box can hub 5 HSM control units. Two boxes exist for the 10 HSMs. These boxes are connected to two External Conditioning 'XBus' Subsystems. An emergency stop (E-stop) is configured within.

One SCRAMNet card. This card is hosted in the Controller and connected to the RTMDsim via fiber optical network running a developed Platinum protocol. The SCRAMNet card communicates with the RTMDsim through 64 input and 64 output values, memory assignable, and is intended for controllers up to 8 actuator channels.

The design of the servo-controller system enables control of up to eight actuators. Currently, the system is configured for five actuators. Detailed information of the servo-controller system is given Table 1.6 (some of modules in the Table 1.6 are currently not available at the RTMD facility).

Table 1.6 DCS2000 specification
Control
Channel x Frequency Product	800Hz (200Hz for up to 4 ch from Q4 1997)
Maximum Channels	32 (to approximately 25Hz)
Maximum Frequency	500Hz (1 channel)
Maximum Control Iteration Rate	4.096 KHz, typically 1.024 KHz or 2.048 KHz
Control Iteration Rate Range	100Hz to 5KHz (102.4 Hz to 4.096 KHz)
Servo Control Resolution	16 bits
Available Control Types	PID, Vibration, Adaptive. Further Types can be added any time. Different control methods can be applied simultaneously to different channels. Load (Force), Displacement, Velocity, Acceleration or any other external input signals. 64, 32 Strain Gauge or LVDT type inputs, plus 32 Current (Charge) or Voltage inputs.
Internally Generated Signals
Number of Simultaneous Generators	0 to 8 (typical), or more if lower iteration rate
Linking Modes Between Multiple Generators	Linked Delay (0 to 800,000 seconds) Linked Cycles (0 to 200,000 Cycles) Linked Simultaneous Start and Stop
Common Properties
Frequency Range	30 mins to 400Hz
Instantaneous Frequency Resolution	Better than 1 part in 10^5N
User Frequency Adjustment	To 0.0001Hz
Frequency Accuracy	10ppm/Hz
Frequency Drift	15ppm/C
Individually Adjustable Properties
Wave Shapes	Sine, Square, and Triangular
Number of Cycles	0.25 to 200,000 cycles in 0.25 cycle steps
Modes	Continuous, Continuous with Soft Start and Soft Stop (soft period adjustable between 0.02 and 800,000 seconds)
Initial Phase Angle	1 degree to 30,000 degrees in 1 degree steps
Sweep Modes	Bi-directional, unidirectional, Number of Sweeps, Sweeping duration, Linear and Logarithmic
Sweep Rates(can be increased on request)	Linear: 0.0001 Hz/s to 10,000 Hz/s Logarithmic: 0.0001 Oct/min to 100 Oct/min
Signal Inputs and Outputs
2202 2-channel Conditioner Card (2x16bit, 20KHz acquisition, opto-isolated ADC channels on each card. Channels convert simultaneously) (max 32 cards)	1 off 10KHz carrier channel for strain gauge or LVDT type transducers, plus 1 DC channel for current (charge) transducer (ie accelerometer) or voltage transducer (ie velocity)
2203 1-channel Servo Drive Card (max 32 cards)	1 servo drive amplifier. Can drive multiple two stage of 1 off three stage servo-valves. Has third stage spool control on card and 16 bit self-calibrating opto isolated ADC for monitoring spool position.
2204 4-channel Analog Input Card (max 8 cards)	16bit auto re-calibrating, opto-isolated ADC inputs. Max. input scale ± 10 Volts. Apparent scale software changeable. 4th order (24 dB/oct) 500 Hz low pass anti-aliasing filter on each input.
2205 6-channel Analog Output Card (max 4 cards)	16bit opto-isolated DAAC voltage outputs. Max. output scale ± 10 Volts. Apparent scale can be changed in software.
2206 16-channel Digital I/O Card (max 8 cards)	All channels fully bi-directional, opto-isolated open collector, active high or low in software.
Signal Handling and Monitoring
Real Time Polynominal Linearisation	Individual 5th order (6 terms) equation applied to carrier based transducer inputs.
Scale and Offset Error Reduction	Determination can be carried out at any time, in real-time.
Real Time Valve Linearisation	Indivicual 3rd orfer (4 terms) equation may be applied to any servovalve output.
Real Time Multiple Version Generation	RMS, Peak, Instantaneous and Mean versions of any signal can be generated.
On Screen Monitors (Number of available monitors limited by Windows resources only)	Any version of an external or internal signal can be displayed in engineering units. Visual update rates: Instantaneous - 1 sec. RMS, Peak and Mean adjustable between 0.5 and 800,000sec.
Trip Settings (trips 'pop-up' on screen)	Can be applied to any conditioned signal. Individually adjustable Max. and Min. levels and Trip actions. Maintains Trip Log.
On Screen Oscilloscopes (max 2 off) Adjustable Timebase, Sweep positions and scales.	4 channel, 4K (Max) samples per channel display. Inputs can be any version of any external, internal, or conditioned signal.
Data Logging (adjustable acquisition rate)	Max. 16 channels at 1KHz continuous sampling, saved to Hard Disk Storage in Real Time. Inputs can be any version of external, internal or conditioned signal.
Signal Overload	All inputs and outputs accurate to full scale deflection ± 9% and saturate safely to known values.
Hardware Configuration	All input and output cards have corresponding individual Configuration 'Templates' Windows.
Calibration
Calibration	Transducers carry calibration, which can be entered into "Templates" at any time. Servotest or User transducers can be re-characterised using the optional software Calibration Module.
Real Time Data Analysis and Display	Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) links with other applications, to update graphs and statistics in Real time. Optional Network DDE support can be provided.
Post Testing Analysis and Display	A wide range of file formats can be produces to support many Data Analysis systems.
Compressor Module
Number of simultaneous Compressors	0 to 8 (typically), or more if lower iteration rate
Compression Range	± 700dB (internal Floating Point representation)
External Dynamic Range	70dB min.
Rate	Adjustable, 0 to 6dB per cycle.
Counter Timer Module
Number of simultaneous Modules	0 to 8 (typically), or more if lower iteration rate
Modes of Operation: Time Duration Event/Cycles Count	0 to 9 Years, resolution of one control iteration 0 to 4000 million (approx) resolution of 1 cycle.
Actions on Completion	Indicate, Trip or Shut down.
Sweep Test Control Module
Adjustable Parameters	Signal Amplitude Profile, Control Breakpoints
Breakpoints	1 to 32
Control Modes	Any signal can be selected as the control parameter between any two breakpoints
Resonance Dwell Module
Modes of Operation	Phase or Peak Amplitude
Accuracy: Phase Peak Amplitude	1 degree of Phase Lock 1dB of Maximum Peak Amplitude
Seek Rate	Adjustable. Same range as frequency sweep rate.
Tracking Filter(s)	Optional Extra: 2nd order (12dB/Oct) or 4th order (24dB/Oct) Lowpass or Bandpass
Cross Coupling Module
Number of Simultaneous Modules	0 to 8 (typical), or more if lower iteration rate
Real Time Polynomial Coupling	Individual 5th order (6 terms) equation applied to a selected signal and coupled to another selected signal.
Patching Module
Number of Simultaneous Modules	0 to 8 (typical), or more if lower iteration rate
Real Time Signal Patching	Up to 3 dignals can be individually proportioned and summed to provide a further signal
Pump and Solenoid Control
Number of Simultaneous Modules	0 to 8 (typical), or more if lower iteration rate
Modes of Operation	Individual or linked
Configuration	Can be connected to any available channel on the Digital I/O cards (type 2206)
Emergency Stop	Hard-wired mushroom head button placed adjacent to keyboard. More buttons can be provided on request
Functionality	Start, Stop, No, Low (if specified) and High Pressure, Pump and Solenoid signals monitored by Trips Module(s)
Operator Panels
Operator Panels	Optional Panels can be configured and interfaced to the I/O cards on request
Safety Monitoring
Transducers	Wrong or damaged Transducers, Broken Connections.
Control	Loss of control and/or unexpected actuator behavior
User Inputs	Stop and/or Shut testing on screen. Emergency Stop Button. Multiple User Limits and Limit Actions
Physical
Host Computer	800MHz, 128MB ram, Min 13.2GB hard disk, 1280 x 1024 or 1600 x 1200 graphics 21" Trinitron monitor, 3.5" fdd, 102 key Keyboard, mouse, Servotest DSP card.
Xbus Enclosure (Max 4 off) (can be 19" rack mounted on request)	Max. 16 I/O cards. Fan cooled. Max. Dimensions 480 x 440 x 150mm.
Uninterruptable Power Supply (can be 19" rack mounted on request)	Rated to system requirements, 8 mins full backup (10 more mins on request). Data link to test systems. On screen and audible warnings: Power Fail, Batteries low, Shut down imminent
Printers (Max 3 off)	Can support virtually any type of printer
Network	Thick or thin Ethernet hardware can be supplied
Backup Devices	Optional Removable Erasable read/write Optical Magnetic (230MB or 640MB drive)

Data Acquisition

The DAQ Mainframe (also referred to as the 6000DAS) is a high-speed data acquisition and conditioning system that acquires data from strain gauges, accelerometers, LVDTs, and thermocouples. The DAQ Mainframe consists of three enclosures housing three different types of modules: (1) Model 6013 for LVDTs and thermalcouples; (2) Model 6014 for accelerometers; and (3) and Model 6033 for strain gages. There are a total of 9 modules of Model 6013, 3 modules of Model 6014, and 20 modules of Model 6033. Each module conditions 8 channels. The DAQ Mainframe hosts a SCRAMNet card that broadcasts real time data over a fiber optical network to the RTMDsim and/or RTMDxPC for integrated simulation and control and to the RTMDtele for telepresence. Below is a summary of the description, features, and configuration for the 6000DAS and specifications for the modules for Model 6013, 6014, and 6033.

6000DAS description:

Figure 1.4 6000DAQ Description

6000DAS features:

256 channel total expandable to 384
24 accelerometers channels (model 6014)
72 thermocouple / double ended voltage transducers (model 6013)
160 strain gage and single-ended voltage sources (model 6033)16 bit resolution
> 1024Hz recording rate with all 256 channels
Selectable channel recording rates
1 Gb internal storage
SCRAMNet interfaced equipment

6000DAS configuration:

6000 Mainframe (128 Channels) Expandable up to 15 slaves
Two 6001 Slaves (128 channels capability each)
Data Storage on computer and/or dump to SCRAMNet (no on-board storage)
Nine 6013 8-channel voltage boards (Capable of 10kHz/channel)
Three 6014 8-channel voltage boards (Capable of 10kHz/channel)
Twenty 6033 8-channel strain gage boards (Capable of 10kHz/channel)
PI660 Windows based software (Compatible with MTS, MATLAB, Excel, and LabVIEW)

Figure 1.5 Model 6013 Specifications

Figure 1.6 Model 6014 Specifications

Figure 1.7 Model 6033 Specifications

Instrumentation

Advanced Instrumentation

Fiber Optic Strain Sensor: the specifications for the Fiber Optic Strain Sensors are given in Section 1.8.1 of this guide (see Table 1.7 Distributed Fiber-Optic Strain Sensor Specifications Developed at Lehigh NEES laboratory using Corning SMF28 test fiber).
Wireless MEMS Accelerometers: the specifications for the wireless MEMs accelerometers are given in Section 1.8.2 of this manual (see Table 1.9 ADXL202 accelerometer specifications).
Piezoelectric Strain Sensors: the specifications for the piezoelectric strain sensors are given in Section 1.8.3 of this manual (see Table 1.12 Summary of Current Piezoelectric Paint Strain Sensor Specifications).

Conventional Instrumentation

The RTMD earthquake simulation facility, as part of an upgrade to the facility, has purchased the following instrumentation:

Displacement Sensors:

6 Temposonic position sensors with a ±30 in stroke, input range +9 to +28.8 Vdc, and output range -10 to -10 Vdc.
6 Temposonic position sensors with a ±44 in stroke, input range +9 to +28.8 Vdc, and output range -10 to -10 Vdc.

Accelerometers:

3 triaxial capacitive accelerometers with ±10 g range, 180 Hz frequency bandwidth, and 200 mV/g sensitivity.
5 monoaxial accelerometers with ±10 g range and 300 Hz frequency bandwidth.

Inclinometers:

2 bi-axis dynamic inclinometers with a 150 Hz sampling rate, 360 degree inclination angle range, and a resolution to within 0.1 degrees.

RTMD IT Systems

The RTMD IT Infrastructure systems are comprised of seven major systems:

RTMDneespop this is the primary interface for authentication and communication as part of the neesgrid. It runs the neesgrid globus services for the grid, the CHEF portal for researcher and observer interaction, and protocols for interfacing with the metadata.
RTMDteleobs this is the location of the NEESgrid TPM. This system provides an interface and short term storage for video telepresence information.
RTMDrepos this is the local repository server for the RTMD facility. This system has a 3.5 TB raid storage array and a local backup library. Access to experimental metadata or experimental results and configurations in the data model must be made through the RTMDneespop by using the appropriate interface such as the electronic notebook.
RTMDdaq this is a computer that interfaces directly with the Pacific Instruments PI-6000 data acquisition system for the purposes of configuration and monitoring data acquisition. This system has an active role in configuration and a passive role in monitoring data acquisition, since data acquisition data is shared with RTMDtele by means of the SCRAMNet interface. Configuring this system and the data acquisition system is discussed in Section 3.3.1.
RTMDxPC this is a computer that runs Mathworks' real-time Target PC software package, xPC. This dedicated kernel guarantees reliability and timing for compiled models. This system is compiled with Simulink models, provides commands to and receives feedback from RTMDctrl in real time over SCRAMNet and synchronizes data from RTMDdaq and RTMDctrl over SCRAMNet. It provides the ability to integrate data acquistion signals or controller feedback signals for various testing methods. It also provides an external timing signal to the data acquisition to ensure time synchronization. The testing methods are discussed in Chapter 2. Configuring this system is discussed in Section 3.3.2
RTMDsim this is a computer that configures and coordinates various testing methods and communicates with the RTMDxPC. This host system provides a configuration interface to the RTMDxPC in the form of an Integrated Control Configuration application and a control interface through Matlab xPC Explorer and Simulink. It also provides a platform for running non real-time and NTCP-based testing methods. Using this system is discussed in Section 3.3.2
RTMDctrl this is a computer that interfaces directly with the servo controller (Controller) to provide customized programming functions. It also contains the control model for actuator, HSM, valve, and PID configuration and tuning. Access to this PC is limited for security reasons. Once configured, control is accomplished by sending commands and receiving feedback over the SCRAMNet with RTMDsim or RTMDxPC. The controller attached to this system provides the basic timing signal for all the systems in the form of a 1024Hz interrupt signal over the SCRAMNet.
RTMDtele this is a computer that interfaces with the SCRAMNet shared memory bus, and provides a synchronized source of data from the PI-6000 mainframe, the controller, RTMDsim and RTMDxPC for telepresence. This system also functions as the streaming source for telepresence data using a network buffering application that is integrated with the NEESgrid software. Configuring this system is is discussed in Section 3.3.3.
SCRAMNet is the underlying communications mechanism between the DAQ mainframe, RTMDsim, RTMDxPC, RTMDtele, and controller based on a proprietary shared memory bus and fiber optic network technology. A LinkXchange switch provides a configurable mechanism for mapping each of the systems attached to the network.

The above systems enable integrated control, where the user has the ability to configure the systems for an experiment. The procedure for configuring the systems is discussed in Section 1.6 Configuring an RTMD Experiment.

In the following section, a brief description of how the systems are integrated together during an experiment is laid out in order for users to gain an understanding of the system functionality.

Integration of RTMD IT Systems

There are two levels of functionality in the RTMD IT systems. The primary systems provide NEESgrid functionality and services for remote access by experimental participants and the public. This allows the goals of many external participants with diverse needs through a set of open grid enabled protocols to be satisfied. The components of the IT system associated with remote access are shown below in Figure 1.8.

Figure 1.8 IT system components associated with remote access

The local access system of the IT system, shown below in Figure 1.9, provides the framework for information to be transferred between systems in a synchronized real-time manner through the SCRAMNet shared memory bus without direct access from outside networks. This provides functionality that enables synchronization between data acquisition, simulation, and control. While an experiment is being conducted, RTMDtele provides a single point of access for streaming and archiving the information for remote participants, while restricting external participants from local access.

Figure 1.9 IT system components associated with local access

The RTMDtele functions as a gateway to the information generated during any experimental function, including configuration data of the controller, data acquisition, and integrated control simulation systems. The components of the RTMD System associated with the gateway access are identified below in Figure 1.10. As a gateway, the system has functions that are available to the remote user during an experiment, and functions that are only available to the local access user. This provides a layer of functional protection for controlling an experiment, while also providing access to experimental data and offsite control in a moderated manner. The RTMDrepos functions as the repository for data after an experiment. During the experiment, data in the repository is secured, and not updated. After the experiment, all data and configuration information is archived to this location.

Figure 1.10 IT system components associated with gateway access.

Prior to an experiment, the RTMDsim, RTMDxPC, RTMDdaq, and RTMDtele configuration programs assemble a data model for the experimental configuration on RTMDtele. This data model is parsed and compared for consistency between the systems and then downloaded by each of the systems for experiment checkout (e.g., limit, tolerance, balancing and system fine tuning). Before the experiment, each of these systems uploads a final version of the data to RTMDtele for consistency with streamed and archived data.

Configuring an Experiment

Experimental researchers planning on conducting an experiment must first provide the metadata for the experiment. A researcher will then need to access configuration programs to configure the RTMDdaq, RTMDsim, RTMDxPC and RTMDtele. These programs generate configuration information for data acquisition, simulation, and telepresence applications as part of integrated simulation control that are specific to the experiment to be performed. Each of these configuration programs is briefly described below.

RTMDdaq Configuration this application configures the data acquisition channels and sensor information. This includes choosing the channel types, entering naming information, location information, and activating the channel for inclusion in the experiment.

RTMDsim/RTMDxPC Configuration this application provides a general interface for the user to choose between test methods, configure kinematics methods, select ramp generation methods and download models to the RTMDxPC. The reader is referred to Chapter 2 for more information on these elements of integrated simulation control.

RTMDtele Configuration this application configures telepresence streaming and data archiving on the RTMDtele system. This application provides an interface for the user to configure which channels from the RTMDdaq and RTMDsim are configured for streaming.

Once the above applications are completed, it is necessary for the data acquisition system to be connected with sensors on the structure. Balancing and calibrating sensors requires local technical support. Limits and control method information is checked for validity.

Conducting an Experiment

Once the configuration programs have been run, then it is necessary for the local data model to be downloaded to the RTMD system components, including the RTMDsim, RTMDxPC, RTMDctrl, and RTMDdaq. As a result, the systems share consistent configuration data.

RTMDctrl, RTMDtele, and RTMDdaq are then initialized and set to operation mode, where they await commands and triggers from RTMDsim or RTMDxPC. On RTMDsim the operation program is started, and either the RTMDsim or RTMDxPC can then start the configured testing method.

Advanced Instrumentation

Fiber Optic Strain Sensors

Stimulated Brillouin Scattering Fiber Optic Strain Sensor

Summary

A single laser source photonics assembly was developed and calibrated to facilitate use of distributed application of SBS strain sensor to civil infrastructures. The single laser source assembly greatly simplified the overall process by limiting the power losses, and also requiring access to only one end of the fiber, which makes the system suitable for large scale sensing applications. The specifications and the functionality of the current Stimulated Brillouin Scattering fiber optic sensor developed at Lehigh University are presented in this document for potential users to consider adapting this tool in their testing schemes.

Introduction

Use of fiber optic sensors is a viable real-time data gathering approach by surface adhering or embedding the optical fiber to a specimen under evaluation. There are several types of measurement techniques involving optical one-dimensional waveguides based on different physical phenomena. Among these are Fiber Bragg Gratings, (FBG), Optical Time Domain Reflectometry (OTDR), evanescent pulse technique and the nonlinear techniques such as Raman and Brillouin scattering. The Brillouin Scattering in standard optical fibers make it possible to obtain strain measurements at intermitted positions along a single fiber due to thermal or mechanical loading. The premise of Brillouin optical time domain sensing technique goes back to 1920 when Léon Brillouin (1889-1969), first studied the diffusion of light by acoustic waves. One of the distinctive features he observed was a frequency change of the scattered light. This effect, named after its discoverer, has remained for a long time within the frame of purely academic research. After the invention of the laser in 1958 and the optical fibers shortly after, the Brillouin effect was thoroughly studied and quantified.

Some features of the Brillouin scattering sensor such as the distributive capability, self-referencing and drift free measurement, high strain resolution and calibration free application led to considerable interest from the civil engineering community (Jackson 1995, Kurashima, et al. 1997, Czarske, et al. 1996, Culshaw and Michie 1997). These sensors are not based on "interactions/losses" type of detection, therefore present major advantages for health monitoring of civil infrastructure because of long gauge capability. Although data acquisition and conditioning systems for these sensors can be elaborate, they have been demonstrated to be highly accurate. Thevenaz et al. in 1999 reported the first full-scale application of a Brillouin scattering sensor (Bao, et al. 2001a). In this study, they implemented the sensor into a concrete dam structure. They measured the concrete curing temperature distribution over 72 hours. Since then, the sensor has been used successfully in the laboratory for measuring compressive, tensile, and flexural strains in structural components (Bao, et al. 2001b, Kim, et al. 2002, Zeng, et al. 2002, Kwon, et al. 2002). It has been also used to measure temperatures during the construction of a building (Ohno, et al. 2002), and to measure strains in concrete pile (Buckland and Boyd 1997).

Physics of Brillouin scattering

When light travels through a transparent media, part of it is scattered. This phenomenon is related to the inhomogeneities in the material structure. In a dielectric material like the silica of an optical fiber, material tends to densify in the region of high intensity electrical field. Hence, periodic compression zones create a density wave moving in the material. If the speed of this wave corresponds to the speed of sound in the material: an acoustic wave is created. An acoustic wave travelling through a transparent material scatters light in a defined direction. Brillouin Scattering results from the scattering of the incident (pump) light by acoustic waves. These acoustic waves can backscatter the light at a longer wavelength or lower frequency, and the separation between the frequencies of the incident and scattered light is called the Brillouin frequency shift. The scattered light is shifted downward in frequency to the Stokes frequency. The Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) occurs when the Stokes wave interferes with the incident light and reinforces the amplitude of the acoustic wave (Horigushi, et al. 1989).

The frequency shift of the Stokes waves, referred to as the Brillouin frequency shift, $\upsilon_B\,\!$ , is given by the following equation:

$\upsilon_B = \frac{\Omega_B}{2\pi} = \frac{2nV_A}{\lambda_p}\,\!$ (1.1)

where, $\lambda_p, n, V_A\,\!$ are the wavelength of the incident pump lightwave, the refractive index of the fiber core and the acoustic velocity of the core, respectively.

The Brillouin gain spectrum $g_B(u)\,\!$ , which follows a Lorentzian type expression, peaks at $\upsilon = \upsilon_B\,\!$ characterizing the growth of a Stokes wave. Figure 1.11 shows a typical Brillouin gain spectrum for AllewaveTR monomode test fiber. The full width of $D_{\upsilon_B}\,\!$ at half of maximum Brillouin gain is related to the phonon lifetime as: $D_{\upsilon_B} = \frac{G_B}{2_p}\,\!$ . The phonon lifetime, which is the inverse of damping $G_B\,\!$ , is approximately 10ns. When Brillouin gain occurs at a particular position, i.e., a single point in the fiber, measured with a pump pulse of duration "w" seconds, will return a signal for "w" seconds. The signal measured at the single point in the time domain will contain information from the section of fiber preceding it. The length of fiber length detected will be equal to the pump pulse duration times the return-trip speed of light in the fiber, which is approximately 10cm/ns. Therefore, for pulse duration of 10ns, the minimum spatial resolution, or gauge length of detection is effectively 100cm (10ns x 10cm/ns). This spatial resolution of detection can be improved by reducing the duration of the pump pulse.

Measurement of strain

According to Equation (1.1), the Brillouin frequency shift is directly proportional to the acoustic velocity of the optical fiber; hence any change of this velocity results in a shift of the $\upsilon_B\,\!$ . The elastic properties of silica make any induced strain a volume change, resulting in locally modified material density. When the refractive index, n, of the fiber is known, by measuring the Brillouin shift $\upsilon_B\,\!$ , one can determine the local change in the acoustic velocity and the induced strain. Indeed, empirical relations show that there is a pseudo linear relation between $\upsilon_B\,\!$ and strain (Horigushi, et al. 1989). Hence, by determining the proportionality constant between the two quantities, one can obtain the strains corresponding to $\upsilon_B\,\!$ measured at discrete points along the fiber.

Figure 1.11 Brillouin gain spectrum in a 2.5 km unstrained AllewaveTR monomode test fiber

The acoustic velocity, $V_A\,\!$ , depends on the Young's Modulus, $E\,\!$ , the Poisson's ratio $n\,\!$ , and the mass density, $\rho\,\!$ of the fiber core. Hence:

$V_A = \left(\frac{E\left(1-\nu \right)}{\rho\left(1+\nu\right)\left(1-2\nu\right)}\right)^\frac{1}{2}\,\!$ (1.2)

The following relation holds for the normalized Brillouin frequency shift:

$d_{\varepsilon} = \frac{d_{\upsilon_B}}{\upsilon_B\cdot C}\,\!$ (1.3)

where, $C\,\!$ is a dimensionless coefficient that describes the collective change in refractive index, elastic modulus, mass density and Poisson's ratio of the silica fiber subjected to strain.

Considering a sensing region of optical fiber stretched between two secured points, the axial stress and strain developed in the fiber can be expressed as follows:

$\sigma_a = \left(\frac{E\left(1-\nu \right)}{\left(1+\nu\right)\left(1-2\nu\right)}\right)\varepsilon\,\!$ (1.4)

$\varepsilon - \varepsilon_0 = \frac{\upsilon_B - \upsilon_{B_{\left(\tau_0\right)}}}{C\upsilon_{B_{\left(\tau_0\right)}}}\,\!$ (1.5)

where, $\varepsilon_0\,\!$ is the reference strain in the fiber, which is normally taken as zero under the absence of mechanical loading. The Brillouin shift frequency, $\upsilon_{B_{\left(\tau_0\right)}}\,\!$ is the Brillouin measurement of the fiber at reference strain.

Temperature corrections for Brillouin frequency and strain

Fiber optic strain measurements should be compensated for temperature variation of the environment or the specimen under test. A reference measurement of Brillouin frequency shift solely due to change in temperature, $T\,\!$ , is needed for this purpose. The following equation describes a comprehensive formulation of strain corrected for temperature:

$\upsilon_B = \upsilon_{B_{\left(\tau_0,T_0\right)}} \left[1+C_1\Delta\varepsilon + C_2\Delta T\right]\,\!$ (1.6)

where, $C_1 = \frac{\partial \upsilon_{B_{\left(T_0\right)}}}{\partial \varepsilon}\frac{1}{\upsilon_{B_{\left(\tau_0,T_0\right)}}}\,\!$ and $C_2 = \frac{\partial \upsilon_{B_{\left(\tau_0\right)}}}{\partial T}\frac{1}{\upsilon_{B_{\left(\tau_0,T_0\right)}}}\,\!$

$\upsilon_{B_{\left(\tau_0,T_0\right)}}\,\!$ = Brillouin frequency measured at reference strain and temperature
$\upsilon_{B_{\left(T_0\right)}}\,\!$ = Brillouin frequency measured at test strain and reference temperature
$\upsilon_{B_{\left(\tau_0\right)}}\,\!$ = Brillouin frequency measured at test temperature and reference strain

The $C_1\,\!$ and $C_2\,\!$ are coefficients determined using calibration charts and reference readings for the sensing fiber. Accordingly, the strain can be computed as:

$\varepsilon -\varepsilon_0 = \frac{1}{C_1\upsilon_{B_{\left(\tau_0,T_0\right)}}}\left[\upsilon_B - \upsilon_{B_{\left(\tau_0,T_0\right)}}\left(1+C_2\Delta T\right)\right]\,\!$ (1.7)

When temperature is constant ( $\Delta T = 0\,\!$ ), Equation (1.7) reduces to Equation (1.5), with $C_1 = C\,\!$ .

Strain resolution

The strain resolution, $d_\varepsilon\,\!$ is determined using Equation (1.3), where $d_\varepsilon = d_\upsilon/\left(\upsilon_{B_{\left(\varepsilon_0\right)}}C\right)\,\!$ , and $d_\upsilon\,\!$ is the bandwidth of the probe wave. To illustrate, using the theoretical expressions provided by Mallinder and Proctor (1964), the $C\,\!$ coefficient for Truewave^TM fiber is determined to be equal to 4.14. Taking $d_\upsilon\,\!$ as 10 MHz, (line width of Stokes wave), and the Brillouin frequency of the unstrained Truewave^TM fiber, $\upsilon_{B_{\left(\varepsilon_0\right)}}\,\!$ , as 10694.625 MHz, the strain resolution is computed 2 x 10^-4. Using an Electrical Spectrum Analyzer (ESA), which delivers 50 kHz bandwidth measurements, $d_\varepsilon\,\!$ can be as low as 1 x 10^-6.

Lehigh NEES Single Laser Source SBS Fiber Optic Strain Sensor

Photonics Assembly

In a single-laser source assembly, as shown in Figure 1.12, the Pump Laser beam is pulsed by an Electro Optical Modulator (EOM), driven by a Microwave Generator and a Pulse Generator. The electro-optical modulator is the key element of this assembly since it is used on the one hand for pulsing light from a single frequency laser to form the pump signal, and on the other hand for the generation and frequency tuning of the probe signal. Both the pump and the probe are generated from the same continuous wave light source at 1550nm, passed through a gated electro-optic modulator that is driven by the microwave generator set at the Brillouin frequency. The frequency shift on the laser light is achieved by simply applying a microwave signal on the electro-optic modulator electrodes. This creates side-bands in the laser spectrum. When the modulation frequency $f_m\,\!$ is close to the Brillouin frequency shift $\upsilon_B\,\!$ , the first lower side-band (the high frequency side band) lies in the Brillouin gain spectrum and is amplified through the Brillouin interaction. The Brillouin gain spectrum can then be determined by simply sweeping the modulation frequency, $f_m\,\!$ and recording the probe intensity. The SBS signal emerging from the circulator is filtered through a Bragg grating (25 GHz bandwidth) and recorded on a sampling oscilloscope.

Figure 1.12 Lehigh's frequency modulated single laser source SBS photonics assembly

Strain Sensor Calibration and Verification

Placement requirements: The sensing fiber is mounted either by bonding it on the surface or embedding it inside the test specimen. The measurements are made by linear positioning of the fiber. As such, depending on the physical shape or configuration of the specimen, the fiber may be wrapped (i.e., column section), coiled or laced in layers (i.e., in soil mass) in order to outline the specimen or cover the points of interest for measurement. Most optical fibers should not be wound or coiled below a limiting diameter of curvature to avoid loss of light energy to refraction. As an example, minimum diameter of curvature for Truewave^TM fiber was measured as 3.29 cm, below which, the output power through the fiber dropped significantly.
Strain Calibration: For calibration of Corning SMF28 fiber, first a 86.4cm section of 120m fiber was secured at two end points. The fiber was stretched and the strains measured using a translation stage with an accuracy of 10μm. The results of Brillouin frequency shift detection on Corning SMF28 fiber, using one-laser source photonics assembly is shown in Figure 1.13. It is observed that the probe signal bandwidth is uniform at 100MHz for the three different strain measurements. The gain signal fits a Gaussian distribution with an acceptable accuracy of less than 0.01% over the full range of bandwith (0.002 GHz/25GHz). This is a ten fold improvement over the average accuracy for the two-laser source system, computed on the order of 0.1% . The average strain resolution achieved in these measurements was on the order of 2.4x10^-4.
Strain Verification: Next, the same fiber was loaded with several calibrated weights from 1kg to 7kg in 1kg increments. The stress in the fiber was computed using $s_a = \omega/2a\,\!$ , where $a\,\!$ is the cross sectional are of the fiber (core and cladding). The corresponding Brillouin shift was recorded for each applied stress. The variation of independently measured Brillouin frequency shift with the applied stress and the strain are shown in Figure 1.14(a). Since each frequency shift corresponds to a unique stress and strain in the fiber, a one-to-one relation is found between these independently measured values. Hence, the Brillouin determined stress-strain behavior of the test fiber (Corning SMF28) is plotted in Figure 1.14(b). The elastic constant between the stress and strain is computed as 79.7 GPa. Taking Poisson's ratio of 0.14, the Young's modulus, E of the test fiber is estimated as 76 GPa, which is close to the elastic modulus of silica (72 GPa). In this case, slight deviation from pure silica properties are expected, since most of the optical fibers are doped with property enhancing elements (i.e., germanium).

Figure 1.13 Variation of Brillouin frequency with strain measured using a one-laser source phothonics assembly (strain induced by translation stage on Corning SMF28 test fiber)

Figure 1.14(a) Brillouin Frequency Shift measurement with independently applied stress and strain to Corning SMF28 test fiber

Figure 1.14(b) The stress-strain curve generated from independently applied stress and strain and their correlation to Brillouin frequency shift measurements on a Corning SMF28 test fiber

Verification of SBS fiberoptic strain measurements under damped harmonic oscillations

SBS fiber optic measurement of strain for the damped harmonic oscillation of a long, thin steel bar was compared to that of a strain gauge mounted on the same bar. In this experiment the strain measurements were recorded every 10ms with 0.01% accuracy.

The test set up is shown in Figure 1.15(a), and consisted of a bar that was simply supported as a beam at it ends at 914 mm. A lumped mass of 0.00777 lbs-sec²/in was located at 254 mm from each end of the bar. The cross section of the bar was 38 mm wide and 3.2 mm thick. The Young's modulus of elasticity of the steel bar was about 203 GPa. The theoretical fundamental damped natural frequency was approximately 4Hz.

A Corning SMF28 test fiber was epoxy glued inside a thin groove running over the middle third of the 914 mm long span of the steel bar. The total length of the test fiber was 35 meters, of which only an 800 mm-section was actually bonded to the test bar. The fiber was mounted on one side of the bar only, such that when the bar was flexed towards the fiber side, the fiber stretched measuring positive strains. When the bar was flexed in the opposite direction, fiber compressed measuring negative strains. A typical test consisted of manually applying a maximum of 50 mm deflection at the center of the steel bar and releasing it into free vibration. The sensor readings, averaged over the 800 mm bonded fiber were recorded and plotted instantaneously. A conventional strain gauge mounted on the bar was used to verify independently the fiber optic sensor measurements.

Figure 1.15(b) shows a comparison of the strains induced by the free vibration of the steel bar as measured by the fiber optic sensor and the conventional strain gauge. The two plots follow each other very closely with an average frequency of oscillation of 4.2 Hz (close to the theoretical natural frequency of 4 Hz), and a maximum measured strain of approximately 500 me.

Figure 1.15(a) Test setup

Figure 1.15(b) Independent verification of SBS fiberoptic measurements using a conventional strain gauge

Specifications of current SBS fiber optic strain measurement assembly at Lehigh

A set of specific parameters and their ranges were determined for potential use of the Corning SMF28 test fiber as a SBS fiber optic strain sensor at Lehigh NEES laboratory. These specifications were developed based on the laboratory testing and calibration of the Corning SMF28 test fiber under controlled temperature (25 C). Hence these specifications may not apply to other types of fibers. The calibration procedure described here should be repeated for all test fibers as described in Sections above prior to mounting them on the test specimens. Additionally, these fibers should be calibrated for temperature variation if the test specimen resides at a location other than a temperature-controlled room.

Table 1.7 presents the specifications developed for the Corning SMF28 test fiber in controlled laboratory tests. The calibration constant, C, used in Equation (1.5) was determined from the plot of the measured axial strains (induced by translation stage) versus the Brillouin frequency shift (as shown in Figure 1.14(a)) and the Brillouin frequency shift of the unstrained fiber measured as 10.8564 GHz. The slope of the strain versus Brillouin frequency shift line $D_\varepsilon/D_{\upsilon_B}\,\!$ , as shown in Figure 1.14 is 0.02143. Accordingly,

$\frac{\Delta \upsilon_B}{\Delta \varepsilon}\bullet\frac{1}{\upsilon_{B_{\left(\tau_0,T_0\right)}}} = \left(\frac{1}{0.02143}\right)\bullet\left(\frac{1}{10.8564}\right)\approx 4.3\,\!$ (1.8)

The Brillouin based strains used in the calibration verification for the two test fiber, Truewave and Corning SMF28, were determined using Equation (1.5) and the following parameter values:

Fiber Type	Calibration Constant, C	Unstrained fiber Brillouin frequency shift vb(e0,r0), Ghz
Truewave	4.14	10.6946
Corning SMF28	4.30	10.85

Table 1.7 Distributed Fiber-Optic Strain Sensor Specifications Developed at Lehigh NEES laboratory using Corning SMF28 test fiber
Sensing Type	Distributed Strain (discontinuous)
Gauge length	0.25 -10m
Strain Resolution	1 - 200 um (10^-4% - 10^-2%)
Accuracy	0.01%
Strain Range	30,000 μe (3%) in tension
Sampling frequency	1 sample packet/second
One sample packet	up to 25 selected strain amplitudes within the range (sensed over the entire length of test fiber)
Lag between each strain sweep	0.5msec
Sampling duration	up to 12.5 msec/sample packet

Wireless MEMS Accelerometers

As part of the National Science Foundation George E. Brown Jr. NEES@Lehigh equipment grant, a series of advanced sensors were examined for application in earthquake simulation. This report examines a proprietary wireless MEMS accelerometer system produced by Xbow Corporation. The system has the potential for rapid low cost installation making it an ideal tool for placement of large data arrays in earthquake engineering research projects. An overview of the device, a summary of the capabilities and limitations and the methodology for NEES integration is discussed.

Equipment Overview

The wireless sensor system consists of a four parts: 1) the mote - MICA2 processor/radio board, 2) the sensor board (MTS310CA), 3) the proto/data acquisition board (MDA500CA), 4) the serial PC interface board (MIB500CA). The wireless portion of system device consists of the MTS310CA sensor board mounted on the MICA2 processor/radio board with attached battery. This device transmits to the MDA500CA proto/data acquisition board mounted on the PC interface board

Figure 1.16 Device layout

The Motes used in this research are the third generation of modules MICA2 and MICA2DOT which are shown in Figure 1.17(a) and (b) respectively. The MICA2 mote was chosen for integration in the NEES system. The design goal of these motes is to enable low-power wireless sensor networks. As shown in Figure 1.18, the major components of the motes include: (i) micro-processors modules with both digital IO and analog IO interfaces, (ii) a tunable frequency radio module for transmission and receipt of messages using the attached antenna. (iii) a logger flash module for the non-loss program, and (iv) an IO expansion slot for sensor inputs.

Figure 1.17 Mote processor/transmission board

Figure 1.18 Mote components

The following features make the MICA2 and MICA2DOT suited to laboratory and field structure measurements:

868/916MHz, 433 or 315MHz multi-channel transceiver with extended range.
TinyOS (TOS) Distributed Software Operating System v1.0 with improved networking stack and remote re-programming capabilities.
Wide range of sensor boards and data acquisition add-on boards.
MICA2DOT quarter-sized Mote is compatible with the much larger yet powerful MICA2 mote.

The mote has a transmission capability of 38.4kbaud bandwidth. This allows for a maximum of 3840 10-bit samples to be transmitted in a single-hop network (i.e., one transmission leg from the sensor to the receiver). For larger networks with links that are more than one hop away from the sink node, the maximum value of data transmission rate will decrease. In our test system, every ten samples are packed as a 20-bit data packet with a 6-bit packet header. With this configuration, the maximum packet the network can allow is approximately 184 packets per second. If a rate of 100 samples per second is used, the maximum sensors the system can support are 18. Additional details on the motes are presented below in Table 1.8.

Table 1.8 MICA2 and MICA2DOT mote specifications
Mote	MICA2	MICA2DOT
Processor Type	ATmega128L	ATmega128L
Program flash memory	128Kbytes	128Kbytes
Measurement flash	512Kbytes	512Kbytes
Configuration EEPROM	4Kbytes	4Kbytes
Serial communication	57600bits/s UART	19200bits/s UART
Analog to digital converter	8 10bits ADC	6 10bits ADC
Other interfaces	DIO, I2C, SPI	DIO
Current draw (Normal/Sleep)	8mA/<15uA	8mA/<15uA
Center frequency	868/916	868/916
Number of channels	4/50	4/50
Data range	38.4 Kbaud	38.4 Kbaud
Outdoor range	500ft	500ft
Current draw(Trans/Recv)	27mA/10mA	27mA/10mA
Battery	2xAA	3V Coin Cell
Size	58x32x7mm	D=25mm, depth=6mm
Weight	18g	3g
Expansion interface	51pin	18pin

Sensor Board

The MTS310CA sensor board obtains all measurements. The board is equipped with a Photo Diode, Thermistor, Microphone, Sounder, Magnetic Sensor, and a Micro Electrical Mechanical System (MEMS) based Accelerometer sensor. The arrangement of sensors on the board is illustrated in Figure 1.19.

Figure 1.19 Sensor board for MICA2 motes

The sensing board includes multiple analog sensors that can be sampled by the ATML128's internal 10-bit AD converters. The sensors evaluated for this series of experiments are the bi-axial accelerometer ADXL202JE produced by Advanced Devices. Specification about that accelerometer indicate that the ADXL202JE is a low-cost, low-power, complete 2-axis accelerometer with a digital output, all on a single monolithic IC. It will measure accelerations with a full-scale range of -2 g to +2g. The ADXL202JE can measure both dynamic acceleration such as vibrations and static acceleration like gravity. The accelerometer properties are summarized below in Table 1.9.

Table 1.9 ADXL202 accelerometer specifications
# Axis	2
Range	+/- 2.0g
Sensitivity	12.5% / g
Supply Current	0.6mA
Supply Voltage	2.7 to 5.0 V
Bandwidth	6 kHz
Resolution at 60Hz	2mg
Shock Survival	1000 g
Temp Range	-40 to 85C

Receiver Board

Another MICA2 mote is used as the receiver board in our test system, the functionality of the receiver board includes: (i) to receive the data packet from the sensors, (ii) to relay the data into the COM port of a PC through the PC Interface Board, and (iii) to recalculate the timestamp such that the sensing data from the asynchronized sensors can be displayed in the same screenshot. The receiver board will take the sensor node it discovered first as the reference sensor node. On receiving data packet from another sensor node, it changes the LastSampleCount variable in the packet according to the following formula:

PC Interface Board

The PC interface board enables the motes to talk with the computer. It enables (1) the computer to download compiled program to motes, and (2) the bi-direction communication between the mote and the computer in run-time through the UART port at speed 57600 bit/s for MICA2 (For MICA2DOT, the speed is 19200 bits/s). (3) An external power source is available such that the receiving mote will always have reliable power supply.

In the experiment, the COM port is configured as following:

Speed: 115200 (any value larger than 57600 works fine)
Data bits: 8
Parity: Even
Stop bits: 1
Flow Control: None

Sensor nodes

Ten sensing data are put together with necessary information in the format of :

typedef struct OscopeMessage

The packets are unicasted to the sink nodes by the sensor nodes once they are ready.

Sink nodes

On receive these sensing packet, the sink node will adjust the LastSampleCount varible, such that the results from different sensors with different starting time can be shown in the same view-shot by the java program.

Java Program

The goal of the java program running on the PC that is connected with the sink node through an interface board is to receive all UART inputs and display them on the screen. NEES Integration

The Wireless system transmits data to a host computer via a serial port connection. To integrate this data into the main RTMD facility data stream a Data Turbine tool is used.

Data Turbine is a dynamic data server and viewer based on ring buffer technology. It provides high performance data streaming reaching speeds over 10MB/sec and flexible data viewing. It is easily integrated with any Java-based application such as the application used for communicating with the MEMs wireless acceleration sensors using a simple API.

When the MEMs application is loaded, an exclusive Data Turbine connection is established for every wireless sensor on the network. When a packet of data is received from any wireless sensor at the host PC, the packet is parsed into usable data such as ID, timestamp and raw acceleration data. The MEMs application sends the acceleration data to the Data Turbine protocol using a name ID for each sensor. The data is stored in the ring buffer and can be viewed by any user with an Internet browser.

Data Turbine is part of the NEES system and is formally accessed through the RTMDneespop website for authenticated NEES users only. The data is synchronized to a timestamp value and/or a count status. The data collected by Data Turbine is saved in the NEES repository and will have the capabilities of post-test viewing in the future. The viewer and the ring buffer are two different programs working together and the Data Viewer remains on RTMDtele at all times.

To display data on the Data Turbine data viewer the Data Turbine package must be run. This package is available at the RTMD facility website.

Laboratory Feasibility Study

To asses their capability for laboratory measurement the MOTES were examined at the ATLSS Research Center NEES facility. The accuracy, the propensity for data loss, and the delay for the wireless testing system is examined. This evaluation is conducted through a side-by-side comparison of a hard wired accelerometer and two wireless MOTES. The wired accelerometer is connected directly to the NEES@Lehigh Pacific Instruments 6000 data acquisition system. To ensure accurate readings the wired accelerometer is sampled at 500 samples per second.

A simple test fixture is used to evaluate the accelerometers (Figure 1.20). A cantilevered steel bar with a lumped mass is used. The mass consists of the self weight of the motes and the wired accelerometer. Three cantilever distances are used to evaluate different frequency ranges. One channel of data is sampled from each wireless accelerometer and compared to the wired value.

Figure 1.20 Cantilever test setup

To examine transmission issues, the wireless system is examined within the ATLSS test facility. The receiver computer is located within the NEES control room adjacent to the test floor. Four transmission locations are chosen to represent the different interference that may occur within the lab environment. The first location is within the control room. This setup minimizes any physical or electronic interference that could occur. The second location is directly outside of the control room on the lab floor. In this location the device is subjected to electronic as well as moderate physical interference. The third location is along the walkway. This location represents the most severe conditions. Significant physical interference (note all ATLSS walls are steel) and electronic interference exist. The final location is across the lab floor in the main region where NEES studies will be conducted. See Figure 1.21 for locations.

Figure 1.21 Sample locations

The relationship between packet lost rate and the transmission distances and the relative vibration frequency are shown in Table 1.10 and Table 1.11

From the table, we conclude that (i) the distance in which the wireless node can effectively communicate without losing significant amount of sample data is limited. (ii) The sample data loss rate of the out-of-shelf system will be affected by the frequency and strength of the system vibration dramatically. (iii) For different sensor nodes, the pattern of the affection can be completely different. Since the pattern is not completely understood yet, we suggest that in order to establish a reliable test system, research on the affection patterns should be conducted such that the consistency of the system can be improved. To minimize data loss a multi-hop transmission and multiple sink configurations should be considered. To decrease data error at high frequencies the device characteristics need to be improved.

Table 1.10
Test	Cantilever Length [in.]	Distance from Mote to Receiver / Location	Mote 1 Packet Loss [%]	Mote 2 Packet Loss [%]
1	30	8.5ft (Location 1)	3.7	4.55
2	20	8.5ft (Location 1)	0	2.63
3	10	8.5ft (Location 1)	3	1.21
4	30	25ft (Location 2)	1.4	0
5	20	25ft (Location 2)	0.95	0.95
6	10	25ft (Location 2)	44.4	1.48
7	10	45ft (Location 3)	34.3	98.1
8	10	45ft (Location 3)	29.8	-
9	20	50ft (Location 4)	2.1	52.17
10	30	50ft (Location 4)	7.8	3.64
11	10	50ft (Location 4)	33.7	87.36
12	10	50ft (Location 4)	35.8	-

To examine the accuracy of the system the measured frequencies are compared. The results obtained through wireless sensor #1 and wireless sensor #2 are compared with the reference result measured from the wired sensor output. The resulting values correlate well.

Figure 1.22 Vibration frequency calculation method

The vibration frequencies are calculated as following: (i) According to each set of samples, a vibration curve is generated (see Figure 1.22). (ii) The time value of the first peak point is recorded as T₁. (iii) The time value of another peak point that belongs to the same vibration sequence as T₁ is recorded as T₂. (iv) The number of peaks between T₁ and T₂ are counted as n (v) The frequency value under this condition can be calculated as . In most cases 34 consecutive peaks are measured. In cases where data loss occurs a smaller number of cycles are used to compute the measured frequency.

Table 1.11 Measured frequency response
Test	Wired Device	Mote 1		Mote 2
	Frequency(reference)	Frequency	Error	Frequency	Error
1	N/A	9.406	N/A	9.390	N/A
2	4.11	4.252	-3.29%	4.252	-3.3%
3	N/A	2.271	N/A	2.267	N/A
4	12.38	12.063	2.60%	11.913	3.9%
5	4.31	4.344	-0.78%	4.344	-0.8%
6	2.33	2.312	0.60%	2.302	1.0%
7	2.31	2.344	-1.27%	N/A	100%
8	2.32	2.327	-0.26%	2.327	-0.3%
9	4.39	4.394	-0.13%	4.425	-0.8%
10	11.64	11.711	-0.57%	11.377	2.4%
11	2.32	2.275	1.90%	N/A	100%
12	2.29	2.275	0.73%	2.275	0.7%

The 12 tests results of the wired measurement system and the #1 and #2 of wireless sensor nodes are shown in Table 1.11 The results indicate that if the wireless transmission is not affected the error will be less than 4%.

Several data records are shown in the following figures to depict the process of the experiments. Since the MEMs measurement system and the wired sensing system do not share the same timing reference, there is a constant time lag need to be removed from the two systems. Moreover, during the experiments, we start the two systems by clicking the buttons at roughly the same time, which provides another random time delay difference between the two systems. Figure 1.23 to Figure 1.25 presents the measured wired and wireless data. The data is shifted to in time to align the data. The wireless data lags the wired data by 0.1 to 30 seconds.

Figure 1.23 Acceleration (g's) vs. time for cantilever length of 10 in. at location 2 (a) Entire vibration curve wired result shift left for 0.77s (b) magnified view

Figure 1.24 Acceleration (g's) vs. time for cantilever length of 20 in. at location 2 (a) Entire vibration curve wired result shift left for 0.59s (b) magnified view

Figure 1.25 Acceleration (g's) vs. time for cantilever length of 30 in. at location 2 (a) Entire vibration curve wired result shift left for 1.1s (b) magnified view

Figure 1.26 illustrates the condition in which significant packet losses occur. In (a), the curve reconstructed from #1 sensor's data is a 30% packet loss occurs while sensor #2 has a loss greater than 90%. Notice that in the zoomed-in view, the packet losses happens without any peak points lost.

Figure 1.27 Acceleration (g's) vs. time for cantilever length of 30 in. at location 3 (a) An entire vibration with wired result shift left for 11s (b) A zoomed-in view

Expansion Costs

Future expansion of the wireless system can be accomplished with the purchase of additional motes. The cost for the system as of September 2004 is provided below:

MOTE-KIT 5040 Quantity 1 $1,995

Professional developer's kit (4xMPR500CA, 4xMPR400CB, 3xMTS310CA, 2xMDA500CA, and 1xMIB500CA). Includes four MICA2DOT processor/radio boards (MPR500CA), four MICA2 processor/radio boards (MPR400CB), three MTS310CA sensor boards, two MDA500CA proto/data acquisition boards, and one PC interface board (MIB500CA).

The cost of an individual mote and sensor board is presented below.

MICA2 Mote Quantity 1 $150
MICA2DOT Mote Quantity 1 $115
MICAz Mote Quantity 1 $150
MTS310 Multi-sensor board Quantity 1 $120

The MEMs wireless sensors have been integrated into the NEES site. The devices are usable at close distances under limited ranges. Limitations on transmission distance, data loss and accuracy however need to be resolved for wide spread use can be achieved. This work is continuing under Professor Liang Cheng.

Prof. Liang Cheng at Lehigh University is developing various protocols that can improve the performance of wireless sensors in the actual measurement systems. The major areas include:

Multi-hop ad-hoc data transmission in wireless networks.
Reliable data transmission mechanisms to recover the packet loss in transmission.
Power control mechanisms to enlarge the lifetime of wireless sensors.
High accuracy and low cost multi-hop time synchronization protocols.
Low cost node positioning system that enables the self-positioning of sensors in the network.

In 2004 XBow released a new mote called MICAz that take advantages of the IEEE 802.15.4 protocol. It uses the 2.4GHz frequency to conduct up to 250 Kbps communication. This dramatically increase of communication bandwidth allows a larger measurement network to be constructed and maintained. With this capability, a single hop test system with one sink and 10-20 wireless sensors is achievable. We are also confident that more complicated applications can be enabled by this progress.

Piezoelectric Strain Sensors

Piezoelectric paint belongs to piezoelectric composite materials. Piezoelectric composites are designed to combine the superiority of polymers and ceramics. Toughness, flexibility, lightness, and ease of processing are typical features of polymers; however, their piezoelectric activity is usually low. On the other hand, ceramics have a strong piezoelectric response, but they are heavy, brittle, and rigid. The stiffness and brittleness of pure piezoelectric ceramics limit the application of these materials as sensing elements, especially for fiber-reinforced-polymer (FRP) composite structures due to their flexibility and large strain at failure. The combination of polymer and ferroelectric ceramics to form piezoelectric composites offers the unique blending of the high piezoelectric properties of ferroelectric ceramics and the mechanical flexibility and formability of organic synthetic polymers. Piezoelectric composites can be classified according to the connectivity of piezoelectric ceramics and matrix phases; the piezoelectric paint under consideration has a 0-3 connectivity pattern. The "0-3" means that the ceramic particles are randomly dispersed in a polymer matrix. Conceivably, 0-3 composites can be more easily fabricated into complex shapes than other forms of composites. To overcome the technical hurdles associated with conventional fabrication methods, a novel in-situ fabrication technique for piezoelectric paint sensor has been developed at Lehigh University so that large areas of piezoelectric paint can be directly applied onto the host structure in an efficient manner.

The advantages of the piezoelectric paint for use as a sensor in structural health monitoring applications include: (i) it is a self-powered sensor; for applications where power consumption is a significant constraint, this can be very valuable; (ii) with the proposed in-situ fabrication method, the piezoelectric paint is directly deposited onto structural surfaces and thus conforms to curved surfaces and adheres well to the host structure surface; (iii) by choosing appropriate polymer materials for the matrix phase, the properties of piezoelectric paints can be tuned to optimum for a particular application; for example, with proper polymer materials, the paint can be made flexible and tough which is necessary for the monitoring of FRP structures undergoing large deformation; (iv) the ease of processing of the piezoelectric paint can be utilized to form complex sensor patterns.

Characteristics of piezoelectric paint strain sensor that need to be kept in mind for use in NEES-related experiments are listed as follows:

The sensor can only measure vibration dynamic strain, that is, it will NOT respond to static load!
Presently, the sensor is used as a surfaced-mounted sensor on test structures.
The paint is compliant to structural surfaces with curved shapes or complex geometry such as bridge cables.
It is a self-powered sensor, does not need external excitation power.
The sensor has a broad frequency bandwidth and it can measure ultrasonic signal which is useful for wave-propagation-based non-destructive evaluation.
With specially formulation for the paint composition, piezoelectric paint strain sensor can measure large strain on the order of 10%, for example, in FRP structures.
The strain measurement is based on "1-3" mode of piezoelectric materials. The measured voltage signal reflects the total amount of the strains in the sensor plane. The sensor can not distinguish between x and y direction strains and therefore it can only be used for measuring one-direction strain.
The sensor output is AC voltage signal and is compatible with any data acquisition system capable of receiving AC voltage signals. Therefore, synchronization should not be an issue for the piezoelectric paint sensor. However, for low-impedance input, a charge amplifier needs to be used before the signal is fed into the data acquisition system.
Although still under development, it is worth noting that a special technique has been proposed to use the piezoelectric paint sensor for surface crack detection in structural locations with complex geometry such as weld toes. This is especially important for real-time large-scale seismic testing, in which there is a lack of effective instrumentation tools and test specimens can only be closely inspected before and after the test.
It should always be kept in mind that piezoelectric paint strain sensors are developed primarily for challenging applications such as strain measurement in structural components with complex geometry or large deformation. For ordinary applications, use of metal foil strain gage is encouraged.

The effectiveness of piezoelectric paint sensors for dynamic strain measurement was examined using a test setup shown in Figure 1.29. A steel beam is mounted as a cantilever beam to a heavy steel block. The steel beam measures 33.5 inch x 2 inch x 0.25 inch. Piezoelectric paint sensors were applied on the top side of the beam (see Figure 1.28(b)) along with metal foil resistive strain gages for comparative study. A vibration exciter (from MB Dynamic Modal 50A) was used to excite harmonic vibration of the beam. Two test series were performed to verify and calibrate the performance of piezoelectric paint strain sensor: forced harmonic vibration test and free vibration test. The output from the piezoelectric paint sensor was measured as a voltage signal using a SigLab 20-42 digital signal analyzer. Charge amplifier was not used in the test because the output voltage from the piezoelectric paint sensor was strong enough to drive the dynamic signal analyzer which has a very high input impedance. The cable connecting the piezoelectric paint sensor to the dynamic signal analyzer was electrically shielded and has a length of 64 inches. The sampling frequency for the vibration tests was 2560 Hz. The response of the piezoelectric paint sensor under harmonic load (forcing frequency = 100 Hz) is shown in Figure 1.30. In Figure 1.31, the sensor response to free vibration of the steel cantilever beam is shown. Shown in these figures as dashed lines are the responses of the metal foil strain gages for a side-by-side comparison. The effectiveness of piezoelectric paint sensors in measuring dynamic strains was demonstrated. The piezoelectric paint sensor was observed to have a good repeatability in its output signal when subjected to similar dynamic loading. The current specifications for piezoelectric paint sensor obtained from vibration tests are summarized in Table 1.12.

It should be noted that the development of piezoelectric paint sensor is still in its early stage and as research goes on its performance will be enhanced with improved paint composition formulation. Therefore, for each proposed application, arrangements can made between the project investigator and Lehigh University (contact person: Dr. Yunfeng Zhang, yuz8@lehigh.edu) to develop a special paint composition, sensor sensitivity calibration, mounting method, data acquisition and processing for its optimal performance in the application in question. For more detailed information on piezoelectric paint sensor, readers are referred to two recent publications (Zhang 2003, 2004).

Table 1.12 Summary of Current Piezoelectric Paint Strain Sensor Specifications
Item	Specification
Strain Measurement Range	> 8%
Sensitivity	843.3ue/Volt (calibrated at 100Hz)
Frequency Range	1 Hz to 200 kHz
Sampling Rate	No limit
Signal Conditioning Requirement	high input impedence (>1 M ohm) is required for data acquisition, otherwise a charge amplifier is needed to connect the sensor to data acquisition input channel
Sensor Output	AC voltage signal

Figure 1.28 Close-up view of piezoelectric paint strain sensor (a) before electrode and wiring is applied; (b) after electroding and wiring

Figure 1.29 Sensor implementation test setup for piezoelectric paint strain sensor

Figure 1.30 Harmonic vibration response data (solid line = piezoelectric paint strain sensor, red dashed line = metal foil resistive strain gage)

Figure 1.31 Free vibration response data (solid line = piezoelectric paint strain sensor, red dashed line = metal foil resistive strain gage)

ATLSS Facility Details

Reaction Wall Capacities

Concrete Strength 7,500 psi floor and walls

Table 1.13. Multi-directional reaction wall design capacity
Wall Height	Design Capacity (@base of wall)
(6.09m) 20ft	(2034 kN m) 1500ft-kips
(9.14m) 30ft	(3389 kN m) 2500ft-kips
(12.19m) 40ft	(6100 kN m) 4500ft-kips
(15.24m) 50ft	(6100 kN m) 4500ft-kips

Anchor Assembly Capacities Floor and Wall

Shear (2224 kN) 500 kips

Tension (1334 kN) 300 kips

Other Available Equipment

Table 1.14. ATLSS Existing Major Equipment
Equipment	Year Acquired
Multi-Directional Reaction Wall System
15.2m to 6.1m tall L-shaped reaction wall	1989
30.5m x 12.2m strong test floor	1989
Hydraulic Equipment
20.7 MPa (3000psi) Hydraulic power system with 2270 liters/min	1988,1992**
Central hydraulic distribution system	1988,1992**
6-Vickers Service hydraulic manifolds (1500 liters/min)	n/a
Hydraulic Loading Equipment
Sactec 2670 kN universal test machine	1992
MTS 245 kN fatigue test machine	1992
Hydraulic Actuators
3-2680kN Hanna, +-750 mm stroke, 20mm/sec max. velocity*	1997
2-2050kN Hanna, +-480 mm stroke, 25mm/sec max. velocity*	1988
4-1500kN Hanna, +-480 mm stroke, 35mm/sec max. velocity*	1988
2-150kN Hanna, +-125 mm stroke, 35mm/sec max. velocity*	1988
2-1050kN Hanna +-125 mm stroke, 50mm/sec max. velocity*	1988
2-607kN Hanna, +-300 mm stroke, 80mm/sec max. velocity*	1988
8-580kN Hanna, +-125 mm stroke, 60mm/sec max. velocity*	1992
2-1000kN Hanna, +-125 mm stroke, 35mm/sec max. velocity*	1992
2-130kN T/J, +-125 mm stroke, 320mm/sec max. velocity*	1995, 1998
Controllers
4-Vickers controller systems	1994
1-Portable Vickers Controller System	1994
2-MTS 458 Controllers	1985
Data Acquisition Systems
1-OPTIM Megadeck 2300 (256 channels)	1987
2-Keithley Instruments DAS1802HC (192 channels)	1995, 2001
200 channels of signal conditioners	1986, 2001
Overhead Crane Systems
180 kN radio controlled	1989
90 kN radio controlled	1989
Special Equipment
V-Notch Charpy testing machine	1992
SEM and Light Microscopy equipment	1992
Instrumentation: Sensors
Displacement transducers: ranging from +/-6.4mm (LVDTs) to 1524mm (linear potentiometers). All transducers are calibrated to within +/-1% accuracy, with the LVDTs calibrated to within +/- 0.1%	n/a
Inclinometers: ranging up to +/-20 degrees with 1% accuracy	n/a
Strain gages: 150ohms to 350ohms; signal condition enables various ranges of accuracy to be achieved	n/a
Load cells: each hydraulic actuator (noted above) is equipped with a load cell. All load cells are calibrated to within +/-0.1% sccuracy	n/a

based on standard 150 liters/min servo-valve

**hydraulic system upgraded in 1992

Schematics of ATLSS Multi-directional Reaction Wall and Strong Floor

Shown below are schematics of the multi-directional reaction wall and strong floor, which includes dimensions of the wall heights and length, and locations of the tie down points.

Figure 1.32 Multi-directional reaction wall and strong floor - isometric view

Figure 1.33 Floor Plan of RTMD Facility

Figure 1.34 Floor Plan of Strong Floor

Figure 1.35 ATLSS West Reaction Wall Elevation

References

Bao, X., M. DeMerchant, A. Brown, and T. Bremmer. (2001a) "Strain measurement of the steel beam with the distributed Brillouin scattering sensor," Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering, volume 4337, page 223.
Bao, X., M. DeMerchant, A. Brown, and T. Bremner. (2001b) "Tensile and compressive strain measurement in the lab and field with the distributed Brillouin scattering sensor," Journal of Lightwave Technology, 19:1698.
Buckland, R., Boyd, W., (1997) "Measurement of the frequency response of the electrostrictive nonlinearity in optical fibers", Opt. Lett., vol. 22, 10.
Culshaw, B., and W.C. Michie. (1997) "Optical fiber sensors and their role in smart structures," Proceedings of the SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering, volume 3211, page 432.
Czarske, J.W., I. Freitag, and A. Tuennermann. (1996) "Novel concepts of distributed temperature fiber sensors based on Brillouin scattering," In Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe - Technical Digest, page 193.
Horigushi, T., T. Kurashima, and M. Tateda. (1989) "Dependence of Brillouin frequency shift in silica optical fibers," IEEE photon. Technol. Lett., 1:107.
http://www.xbow.com/Products/Product_pdf_files/Wireless_pdf/6020-0042-05_A_MICA2.pdf , XBOW, MICA2 datasheet.
http://www.xbow.com/Products/Product_pdf_files/Wireless_pdf/6020-0043-04_A_MICA2DOT.pdf , XBOW, MICA2DOT datasheet.
http://www.xbow.com/Products/Product_pdf_files/Wireless_pdf/6020-0047-01_B_MTS.pdf , MTS310 sensor board datasheet.
, Analog Devices, ADXL202JE datasheet.
Jackson, D.A., (1995) "Potential of fiber optic point and distributed fiber optic sensors for structural monitoring," IEE Colloquium (Digest), page 4/1.
Kim, S.H., Jung-Ju Lee, and Il-Bum Kwon. (2002) "Structural monitoring of a bending beam using Brillouin distributed optical fiber sensors," Smart Materials and Structures, 11:396.
Kurashima, T., T. Usu, K. Tanaka, A. Nobiki, M. Sato, and K. Nakai. (1997) "Application of fiber optic distributed sensor for strain measurement in civil engineering," Proceedings of the SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering, volume 3241, page 247.
Kwon, I.B., C.Y. Kim, and M.Y. Choi. (2002) "Continuous measurement of temperature distributed on a building construction," Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering, volume 4696, page 273.
Mallinder, F.P., and B.A. Proctor. (1964) "Tensile strain dependence of Brillouin frequency shift in silica optical fibers," Photon. Technol. Lett., 5(4):91103.
Ohno, H. Hiroshi Naruse, Toshio Kurashima, Atsushi Nobiki, Yasuomi Uchiyama, and Yuki Kusakabe. (2002) "Application of Brillouin scattering-based distributed optical fiber strain sensor to actual concrete piles," IEICE Transactions on Electronics, E85-C:945.
Thevenaz, L., M. Facchini, A. Fellay, P. Robert, D. Inaudi, and B. Dardel, (1999). "Monitoring of Large Structure Using Distributed Brillouin Fiber Sensing," Proc. of SPIE- The Int. Soc. for Optical Eng., 3746: 345
Zhang, Y. (2003). "Dynamic strain measurement using piezoelectric paint," Proc. 4th Int. Workshop on Structural Health Monitoring, Stanford University, CA, September, 2003, pg.1446-52.
Zhang, Y. (2004). "Piezoelectric Paint Sensor for Nondestructive Structural Condition Monitoring," Proc. SEM X International Congress and Exposition on Experimental and Applied Mechanics, Cost Mesa, CA, USA, June 7-10, 2004.
Zeng, X., Xiaoyi Bao, Chia Yee Chhoa, T.W. Bremner, A.W. Brown, M.D. DeMerchant, G. Ferrier, A.L. Kalamkarov, and A.V. Georgiades. (2002) "Strain measurement in a concrete beam by use of the Brillouin-scattering-based distributed fiber sensor with single-mode fibers embedded in glass fiber reinforced polymer rods and bonded to steel reinforcing bars," Applied Optics, 41:5105.

Test Methods & Data Analysis

This chapter describes the test methods that are available at the RTMD earthquake simulation facility. These methods include: (1) quasi-static testing; (2) conventional pseudo-dynamic (PSD) testing; (3) real-time PSD testing; (4) real-time PSD hybrid testing; (5) real-time effective force testing; and (6) distributed hybrid PSD testing. The quasi-static method of testing is well understood, and is not discussed in this Manual. Aspects and an overview of the remaining test methods are given.

Dynamics of a Structure Subjected to Earthquake Motions

Figure 2.1 shows a simple example of a planar, which is a four-story shear building, structure subjected to an earthquake. The foundation of the four-story shear building is subjected to the ground acceleration history $\ddot{x_g}(t)$ . The equations of motion (Chopra, 2001) can be shown to be equal to:

$Ma^t(t) + Cv(t) + Kd(t) = 0\,\!$ (2.1)

where $M\,\!$ , $C\,\!$ , $K\,\!$ , $a^t(t)\,\!$ , $v(t)\,\!$ , and $d(t)\,\!$ are the mass matrix, viscous damping matrix, stiffness matrix, total acceleration vector, relative velocity (to the foundation) vector, and relative displacement (to the foundation) vector. The total acceleration, $a^t(t)\,\!$ , is related to the acceleration relative to the support, $a(t)\,\!$ , and ground acceleration, $\ddot{x_g}(t)$ .

$a^t(t) = a(t) + i\ddot{x_g}(t)$ (2.2)

Figure 2.1 Shear building subjected to earthquake ground accelerations

In Equation (2.2), i is the influence vector representing the displacements of the mass of the structure resulting from the static application of a unit ground displacement.

Upon substituting Equation (2.2) into Equation (2.1):

$Ma(t) + Cv(t) + Kd(t) = -Mi\ddot{x_g}(t)\,\!$ (2.3)

Equation (2.3) implies that the structure can be analyzed as a structure that is supported on a fixed foundation and subjected to a effective force vector, $P_{eff}(t) = -Mi\ddot{x_g}(t)\,\!$ .If the restoring forces, represented by the third term on the right hand side of Equation (2.3), are replaced by a more general restoring force vector, $r(t)\,\!$ , (which can include non-linearities) the equations of motion become:

$Ma(t) + Cv(t) + r(t) = P_{eff}(t)\,\!$ (2.4)

Equation (2.4) is the basic set of equations of motion that the testing methods at the RTMD earthquake simulation facility are based upon. More complicated structures can be tested at the RTMD earthquake simulation facility than the one shown in Figure 2.1, including structures with rate-dependent components (e.g., semi-active MR dampers), multi-directional earthquake loading and geometric and material non-linearities.

Figure 2.2 Conventional PSD test method scheme

PSD Test Method

The PSD test method overcomes the limitations of size and mass of a test structure present in a shaking table test by using the equipment similar to that for performing quasi-static testing (real-time PSD testing would however require dynamic actuators and a control system).

In the PSD method of testing, the equations of motion for the structure (i.e., Equation (2.4)) are solved using either an explicit or implicit direct step-by-step integration method to obtain the response of the structure. The mass matrix $M\,\!$ , viscous damping matrix $C\,\!$ , and the excitation history $P_{eff}(t)\,\!$ are numerically specified. The step-by-step numerical integration is performed in conjunction with measured restoring forces $r(t)\,\!$ from a test structure. Depending on the rate the test structure is being loaded, PSD testing can be divided into two categories: (1) conventional PSD test method; and (2) real-time PSD test method. Structures with load-rate sensitive components are not likely able to have their response to seismic loading accurately captured by the conventional PSD test method, and should be tested using the real-time PSD test method.

Conventional PSD testing methods (Mahin and Shing, 1985) are based on a number of different integration schemes (e.g., Newark-Beta method), where the rate of loading is not of major concern. As shown in Figure 2.2, an explicit numerical integration scheme could be used to compute the displacement $d_{i+1}\,\!$ for a time step, and the restoring force $r_{i+1}\,\!$ measured resulting from the imposed displacement $d_{i+1}\,\!$ to the test specimen. This is followed by the calculation of the corresponding velocity $v_{i+1}\,\!$ and acceleration $a_{i+1}\,\!$ based on the measured restoring force $r_{i+1}\,\!$ . The process is repeated for each subsequent time step.

The RTMD earthquake simulation facility uses an implicit numerical integration scheme for conventional PSD testing called the Hilber α-method (Hilber et al., 1977). The method is unconditionally stable for linear structures. The details of the method are given below under Real-Time PSD Test Method. The rate of testing is controlled by a ramp generator which imposes command displacements to the test specimen over each time step. The user selects the duration of the ramp to suit the needs of the test.

The real-time PSD testing method implemented at the RTMD earthquake simulation facility is based on the procedures developed by Shing et al. (2002). As noted above, the integration procedure is based on the α-method. The algorithm for the real-time PSD testing method is illustrated in Figure 2.3. In the algorithm, a predictor displacement $\hat{d}_{i+1}\,\!$ is first computed, which is a function of the displacement $d_i\,\!$ , velocity $v_i\,\!$ , acceleration $a_i\,\!$ , restoring force $r_i\,\!$ , and the effective load $P_{eff}(t)\,\!$ from the prior time step $i$ in addition to the effective load $P_{eff}(t)\,\!$ from the current time step $i+1\,\!$ . A correction to achieve the correct displacement is then performed through a series of $n\,\!$ substeps.

Figure 2.3 Real-Time PSD test method algorithm based on the α-method with a fixed number of correction sub steps

During the correction phase, in substep $k\,\!$ the displacement $d_{i+1}\,\!$ is calculated using the predictor displacement $\hat{d}_{i+1}\,\!$ and the measured restoring force $r^{m(k)}_{i+1}\,\!$ (Equation (1) in Figure 2.3). The corrected command displacement $d^{c(k)}_{i+1}\,\!$ is then determined using Equation (2) shown in Figure 2.3. For the first substep, where $k = 0\,\!$ , the measured restoring forces at the beginning of the time step, $r^m_i\,\!$ , are used for $r^{m(k=0)}_{i+1}\,\!$ . The quantity $n-k\,\!$ which appears in the denominator of the second term of Equation (2) leads to a more or less uniform incremental correction over each substep.

In the last substep during the correction phase, where $k = n-1\,\!$ , an equilibrium error $e^{(n-2)}_{i+1}\,\!$ is simultaneously computed and an equilibrium correction is then performed using Equations (3) and (4) in Figure 2.3. This enables estimates for the displacement $d_{i+1}\,\!$ and restoring force $r_{i+1}\,\!$ corresponding to the end of the current time step $i+1\,\!$ to be available for the calculation of the predictor displacement $\hat{d}_{i+2}\,\!$ for the next time step $i+2\,\!$ . Consequently, the structure is loaded without any pause between time steps $i+1\,\!$ and $i+2\,\!$ .

More complete details about the algorithm for the real-time PSD testing method are given in Mercan and Ricles (2005).

Hybrid Test Method

To avoid fabrication and testing of an entire structure, the hybrid PSD test method (referred to herein as the hybrid test method) was developed (Dermitzakis and Mahin, 1985). In a hybrid PSD test, the structure is considered as an assembly of two distinct parts:

Physical substructure (tested part of structure).
Analytical substructure (numerically modeled part of structure).

The physical substructure is experimentally tested, where its degrees of freedom are coupled to the analytical substructure, which is the remaining part of the structure as shown in Figure 2.4. Figure 2.4 implies that the restoring forces $r_{i+1}\,\!$ for time step $i+1\,\!$ are determined from the imposed displacements $d^E_{i+1}\,\!$ to the physical substructure (i.e., the measured restoring forces $r^E_{i+1}\,\!$ ) and $d^A_{i+1}\,\!$ to the analytical substructure (i.e., calculated restoring forces $r^A_{i+1}\,\!$ ).

Figure 2.4 Real-time hybrid test method

Figure 2.5 shows the flowchart of the algorithm for the real-time hybrid test method employed at the RTMD earthquake simulation facility. The integration algorithm is similar to that used for the real-time PSD test method, and is based on the α-method with a fixed number of substeps during the correction phase. The displacement $\hat{d}_{i+1}\,\!$ , $d_{i+1}\,\!$ , $d^{c(k+1)}_{i+1}\,\!$ for all degrees of freedom (analytical and experimental substructures) are calculated in the same manner as in the real-time PSD test method. For each substep in the correction phase, the displacement commands for the physical substructure, $d^{c(k+1)E}_{i+1}\,\!$ are imposed on the test structure through the hydraulic actuators, and the resulting measured restoring forces $r^{m(k+1)E}_{i+1}\,\!$ and displacement $d^{m(k+1)E}_{i+1}\,\!$ are measured. Simultaneously, the restoring forces $r^{(k+1)A}_{i+1}\,\!$ corresponding to the displacements, $d^{c(k+1)A}_{i+1}\,\!$ for the analytical substructure are computed using a mathematical model. The restoring forces $r^{m(k+1)E}_{i+1}\,\!$ and $r^{(k+1)A}_{i+1}\,\!$ are subsequently combined to obtain the set of restoring forces $r^{(k+1)}_{i+1}\,\!$ for the complete structure. Care must be taken in dealing with the restoring forces at the degrees of freedom located at the interface of the analytical and physical substructure. At the interface, both $r^{m(k+1)E}_{i+1}\,\!$ and $r^{(k+1)A}_{i+1}\,\!$ contribute to the resistance $r^{(k+1)}_{i+1}\,\!$ . The measured displacements $d^{m(k+1)E}_{i+1}\,\!$ are also combined with the displacements $d^{c(k+1)A}_{i+1}\,\!$ to form $d^{(k+1)}_{i+1}\,\!$ . During the next correction cycle, $r^{(k+1)}_{i+1}\,\!$ becomes $r^{m(k)}_{i+1}\,\!$ in Equation (1) below.

Figure 2.5 Real-time hybrid test method algorithm based on the α-method with a fixed number of iterations

After combining the results from the analytical and physical substructures to form $r^{(k+1)}_{i+1}\,\!$ , and $d^{(k+1)}_{i+1}\,\!$ , the algorithm continues with each subsequent substep in the correction phase. During the last substep the equilibrium correction is performed.

Multiple physical substructures of the prototype structure can also be defined in hybrid PSD testing at the RTMD earthquake simulation facility. Currently, the analytical substructure is defined by interfacing the integration algorithm with Matlab, Simulink or OpenSEES via OpenFresco.

Distributed Hybrid PSD Test Method

In distributed hybrid PSD testing, physical substructures are located at different geographical locations (i.e., experimental test facilities), with the analytical substructure located at either one of the experimental sites or at an independent site, as illustrated below in Figure 2.6. Distributed hybrid PSD testing thereby enables the capabilities of several experimental facilities and a computational facility to become engaged in the test. Figure 2.6 is a schematic describing the three sites that were involved in the NEES MiniMost experiment (Pearlman, et al. 2004), where the University of Illinois at Urbana, Champaign and the University of Colorado at Bolder participated as experimental sites, and National Center for Supercomputer Applications (NCSA) participated as a computational site. As shown in Figure 2.6, an experiment coordinator coordinates the test, using the Internet to receive control commands from the computational site, and then sending via the Internet each of the experimental sites their command displacement to be imposed to their physical substructure for a given time step (i.e., $d^E_{i+1}\,\!$ , see Figure 2.4). The simulation coordinator receives back from each experimental site via the Internet the restoring forces corresponding to each physical substructure (i.e., $r^E_{i+1}\,\!$ , see Figure 2.4). In the MiniMOST experiment, the NTCP protocol was used for communication between the coordinator and the sites.

Figure 2.6 Distributed hybrid PSD testing: NEES MiniMOST experiment (Pearlman, et al. 2006)

The RTMD earthquake simulation facility can participate in distributed hybrid PSD testing with any computational or experimental facility that has the NTCP protocol and NEESGrid software (Technical Report NEESgrid-2005-15). Figure 2.7 shows a schematic of the servo-hydraulic control and IT systems for the RTMD earthquake simulation facility. The systems include the RTMDneespop (point of presence server), RTMDtele (real-time telepresence workstation), RTMDsim (simulation coordinator), RTMDxPC (real-time simulation target), Controller (real-time controller), RTMDctrl (real-time control workstation), DAQ Mainframe (real-time data acquisition system), RTMDdaq (real-time data acquisition workstation), and RTMDrepos (RTMD local data repository). These workstations and RTMDneespop are connected using a LAN, secure VLAN, and SCRAMNet, as shown in Figure 2.7. The RTMDctrl, RTMDsim and RTMDdaq are user interfaces with the Controller, RTMDxPC and the DAQ Mainframe, respectively.

When a distributed hybrid PSD test is performed, communication with each remote site is established through the RTMDneespop using the NEESGrid software and the NTCP protocol. When the RTMD earthquake simulation facility participates as an experimental site, the command received from a remote experiment coordinator is authenticated on the RTMDtele, and then passed through a secure VLAN to the RTMDsim. RTMDsim evaluates the command for conformance with equipment limits (e.g., maximum actuator forces, actuator maximum displacements), before transferring it to the Controller via the RTMDxPC and SCRAMNet. The Controller has active limits set in RTMDctrl before the test beings. These active limits are enforced as the command is received.

Figure 2.7 RTMD servo-control and IT systems architecture (Ricles et al., 2006)

Effects of Multi-directional DOFs

A variety of challenges arise when kinematics of the motion of the test specimen influences the actuators and instrumentation. A simple example is given in Figure 2.8, where x and y displacements of the test structure, shown in plan view, are controlled by the three actuators. The displaced configuration of the test structure results in transverse movement of the actuators and measurement sensors, introducing an error in the correct positioning of the specimen by the actuators and measurement sensors. The position of the test structure, actuators, and measurement devices must be accounted for during each time step of a test, using a kinematic correction procedure to ensure accurate test results.

Figure 2.8 Geometrical inaccuracies due to test structure kinematics

The algorithm for multi-directional testing at the RTMD earthquake simulation facility includes a kinematic correction scheme, where the position of the test structure, actuators, and measurement devices is tracked during a test. For the general case involving 3-D motion, a total of eight displacement sensors (S1 through S8) are required to be arranged, as shown in Figure 2.9, where a rigid loading block is used in the test to control the degrees of freedom at the SPN (Structural Physical Node) shown. The instrumentation is attached to the structure at measurement structural nodes MSN1 and MSN2.

Figure 2.9 3-D test with displacement sensors arranged for tracking specimen position

The kinematic correction consists of the following steps:

(1) The extension or contraction ΔACT_j of each of the actuators j involved in the test is determined based on the command displacement $d^{c(k+1)}\text{SPNp}_{i+1}\,\!$ to be imposed on the structure at the SPNp controlled by the actuators, where:

$\Delta_{\text{ACTj}} = f(d^{c(k+1)}_{\text{SPNp}_{i+1}},X^0_{\text{SPNp}},X^d_{\text{SPNp}},X^0_{\text{ASNj}},X^d_{\text{ASNj}})$ (2.5)

In equation (2.5), $f()\,\!$ is a function that relates the extension or contraction of actuator j to the kinematics of the motion of the SPN, whose displacements are a subset of which contains the command displacements of all of the SPNs in the test structure. This function has as independent variables the command displacement to be imposed to the SPN, $d^{c(k+1)}_{\text{SPNp}_{i+1}}\,\!$ ; the coordinates of the SPN in the undeformed geometry, $X^0_{\text{SPNp}}\,\!$ ; the coordinates of the SPN in the deformed geometry, $X^d_{\text{SPNp}}\,\!$ ; the coordinates of the actuator nodes (a node is defined at each end of the actuator) of actuator j in the undeformed geometry, $X^0_{\text{ASNj}}\,\!$ ; and the coordinates of the actuator nodes of actuator j in the deformed geometry, $X^d_{\text{ASNj}}\,\!$ .

(2) As each of the actuators extends or contracts in accordance with Equation (2.5), the motion of each SPN, corresponding to the measured displacement is determined, where for SPNp the measured motion $d^{m(k+1)}_{\text{SPNp}_{i+1}}\,\!$ corresponding to the displacement measurements is:

$d^{m(k+1)}_{\text{SPNp}_{i+1}} = f(X^0_{\text{SPNp}},X^0_{\text{MSN1}},X^0_{\text{MSN2}},X^d_{\text{MSN1}},X^d_{\text{MSN2}})\,\!$ (2.6)

In equation (2.6), $f()\,\!$ is a function that relates the motion of SPNp to the displacement transducer measurements for SPNp. This function has as independent variables the coordinates of the SPN in the undeformed geometry, $X^0_{\text{SPNp}}\,\!$ ; the coordinates of MSN1 in the undeformed geometry, $X^0_{\text{MSN1}}\,\!$ ; the coordinates of MSN2 in the undeformed geometry, $X^0_{\text{MSN2}}\,\!$ ; the coordinates of MSN1 in the deformed geometry, $X^d_{\text{MSN1}}\,\!$ ; and the coordinates of MSN2 in the deformed geometry, $X^d_{\text{MSN2}}\,\!$ . (3) The measured restoring forces at SPNp during substep k are:

$r^{m(k+1)}_{\text{SPNp}_{i+1}} = f(X^d_{\text{SPNp}},X^d_{\text{ACT(i,m)}},\text{P}_{\text{ACT(i,m)}})\,\!$ (2.7)

Where in equation (2.7), $f()\,\!$ is a function that relates the restoring forces at SPNp to the load cell reading of the actuators associated with controlling the motion of SPNp. This function has as independent variables the coordinates of SPNp in the deformed geometry, $X^d_{\text{SPNp}}\,\!$ ; the coordinates of the nodes of the actuators in their deformed geometry, $X^{d}_{\text{ACT(i,m)}}\,\!$ , that are associated with SPNp; and the load cell reading of the actuators, $\text{P}_{\text{ACT(i,m)}}\,\!,$ , associated with SPNp.

The above functions in each of equations (2.5) through (2.7) are developed on a case by case basis, and dependent on the geometry of the loading apparatus and stiffness. These functions are subsequently programmed as a module by the staff of the RTMD earthquake simulation facility, which is integrated into the control algorithms (on the RTMDxPC) to account for the kinematics of a test structure. The kinematic correction can be done based on either the incremental command displacements or the command of total displacements to each SPN in the test structure.

Effective Force Test Method

The concept of the Effective Force Test (EFT) method is that the response of a system to a given ground motion may be replicated by applying the effective force vector $P_{eff}(t)\,\!$ of equation (2.4) to the test structure. As noted in the development of Equation (2.4), the effective force at each degree of freedom is equal to the product of the mass and ground acceleration in the direction of the degree of freedom. The concept of the EFT method is illustrated in Figure 2.10 for a single degree of freedom (SDOF) test structure. Actuators reacting off of a reaction wall are utilized to apply the effective force to the test structure.

Figure 2.10 Effective Force Test Method

The key advantage of the EFT method is that the effective forces depend on only the ground acceleration record and the structural mass, and are independent of any nonlinear behavior of the structure such as stiffness and damping. They can therefore be calculated in advance of the test, and the need for online computations during testing is minimal.

The challenge of using the EFT method is to achieve accurate force control, whereby precise effective forces are applied to the test structure. To simulate the real-time effects of an earthquake on a structure, dynamic actuators a high quality servo-hydraulic control system are needed to accurately apply the effective forces. Dyke et al. (1995) found that there is an intrinsic property of hydraulic actuators, called natural velocity feedback, which restricts the ability of the actuators to apply an accurate force when the test structure is vibrating near one of its natural frequencies. Dimig et al. (1999) developed a method called natural velocity feedback negation to correct for the phenomenon associated with natural velocity feedback. This method is based on classical control theory and was successfully demonstrated for SDOF systems. Researchers at the RTMD earthquake simulation facility (Zhang et al., 2004) have successfully developed methods to negate the effects of natural velocity feedback in multi-degree of freedom (MDOF) test structures.

The main disadvantage of the EFT method is that the complete seismic mass of the structure must be included in the test structure. This may be difficult to achieve in all but the largest laboratories. Researchers at the RTMD earthquake simulation facility are currently developing an advanced EFT method that overcomes this problem.

RTMD Control System and IT System Architecture

A schematic of the servo-hydraulic control and IT systems for the RTMD earthquake simulation facility was presented in Figure 2.7. As noted previously, the hardware in these systems includes the RTMDpop, RTMDtele, RTMDsim, RTMDxPC, Controller, RTMDctrl, DAQ Mainframe, RTMDdaq, and RTMDrepos. Also noted previously, these workstations and systems are connected using a LAN, secure VLAN, and SCRAMNet.

The digital controller (Controller) with a 1024 Hz clock speed controls the motion of the actuators. During testing, communication between the Controller, RTMDxPC, DAQ Mainframe, and RTMDtele is done over SCRAMNet. SCRAMNet is a fiber optic communication device that enables shared memory and time synchronization to the RTMDctrl. The RTMD earthquake simulation facility control system configuration permits complex testing algorithms, servo-hydraulic control laws, and analytical substructures to be placed on the RTMDxPC. The latter is used for hybrid PSD testing. Command signals for imposing motion on a test structure (either force or displacement, depending on the method of testing) are generated on the RTMDxPC, where complex analytical models may reside for integrating the equations of motion in conjunction with a physical test structure, or multiple physical substructures and a analytical substructure. Feedback signals for determination of the command signal for each time step during a test are acquired by the RTMDxPC from the Controller and the DAQ Mainframe (e.g., measured actuator forces and the current position of the test structure to enable kinematic compensation for multi-directional real-time pseudo-dynamic tests to be accounted for).

As an alternative to using the RTMDxPC as explained above, the DSP in the Controller can be programmed with new servo-hydraulic control laws as well as real-time testing algorithms. This approach for testing is however limited, due to the computational capacity and precision of the DSP.

Researchers at the RTMD earthquake simulation facility have developed software which enables testing of a structure to be simulated using the above hardware components of the servo-hydraulics and IT systems with the hydraulic power turned off. The software consists of modules for real-time modeling of the servo-actuator system and test structure. These modules are used to replace the actuators and test structure. This software has many uses. It can be used for estimating the demands on the equipment (e.g., maximum hydraulic actuator power demand) for test structures that are being designed in the planning stages of a research program, ensuring that the structure can actually be tested at the RTMD earthquake simulation facility. It also enables new test algorithms and hydrodynamic control laws to be implemented in the RTMD control and IT systems and then evaluated in hydraulics off mode. The software is also suited for training of shared-use researchers of the RTMD earthquake simulation facility.

Requirements for Users of the RTMD Facility

Researchers developing a proposal to use the RTMD earthquake simulation facility need to know the demand that their tests will impose on the equipment in order to ensure the equipment capacity of the facility is not surpassed. This will help to ensure that the test can be successfully completed. Equipment specifications were summarized in Chapter 1 of this manual, as well as in the NEES Equipment Site Specification Database.

It is recommended that researchers planning tests at the RTMD earthquake simulation facility consider the following:

Researchers must be aware that the maximum velocity that an actuator can achieve depends on the concurrent force in the actuator (i.e., hydraulic actuator power). Perform as accurate as possible time history analysis of the candidate test structure (nonlinear analysis may be needed) using the forcing function expected to be used during the test. Plot the ensuing force-velocity orbits associated with an actuator degree of freedom. Compare these orbits with the hydraulic actuator power envelop provided in Chapter 1 (see Figure 1.2) of this manual to check that the actuator power capacity is not surpassed, and that forces at the tie down points for the actuators and reactions of the test structure do not surpass their capacity (see Chapter 1), as well as the overturning moment capacity of the ATLSS multi-directional reaction wall.
From the time history results, determine the stroke range required of actuators and instrumentation, and check that the demand does not surpass the capacity summarized in Chapter 1.
If necessary, scale-down the test structure to avoid having the demand in (1) and (2) exceed the capacity of the equipment and instrumentation.

After the project is funded by the sponsor, the researchers will need to work with the research staff of the RTMD earthquake simulation facility to finalize the details of the test structure. This will include running the hydraulics off mode software to verify the demand on the equipment and instrumentation, as well as the functionality of any modifications made to the standard testing protocols in use at the RTMD earthquake simulation facility (e.g., using a new PSD integration algorithm defined by the researcher). More information on the hydraulics off software will be provided at scheduled RTMD training sessions.

References

Chopra, A.K. (2001) Dynamics of Structures,. 2nd Edition, Prentice-Hall, Inc.
Dermitzakis, S.N. and S.A Mahin (1985) "Development of Substructuring Techniques for On-Line Computer Controlled Seismic Performance Testing," Report UBC/EERC-85/04, Earthquake Engineering Research Center, University of California.
Dimig, J., Shield, C., French, C., Bailey, F., and A. Clark (1999) "Effective Force Testing: A Method of Seismic Simulation for Structural Testing," Journal of Structural Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 125, No. 9.
Dyke, S.J., Spencer, B.F., Quast, P., and Sain, M.K. (1995) "Role of Control-Structure Interaction in Protective System Design," Journal of Engineering Mechanics, ASCE, Vol. 121, No. 2.
Hilber, H.M., Hughes, T.J.R., and Taylor. R.L. (1977) "Improved Numerical Dissipation for Time Integration Algorithms in Structural Dynamics," Earthquake Engineering and Structural Dynamics, Vol. 5.
Mahin, S.A. and Shing, P.B. (1985) "Pseudodynamic Method for Seismic Testing," Journal of Structural Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 111, No. 7.
Mercan, O. and Ricles, J.M. (2004) "Evaluation of Real-time Pseudodynamic Testing Algorithms for Seismic Testing of Structural Assemblages," ATLSS Engineering Research Center, Report No. 04-5-, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA.
Ricles, J., Sause, R., Naito, C., Zhang, Y., and Pamukcu, S., (2004) "NEES Real-Time Multi-Directional Seismic Testing Facility for Large Scale Structures," Proceedings of 13th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering, Vancouver, Canada.
Shing, P.B., Spacone, E., and Stauffer, E., (2002) "Conceptual Design of Fast Hybrid Test System at the University of Colorado," Proceedings of the 7th U.S. National Conference on Earthquake Engineering, Boston, Massachusetts.
Spencer, B.F. (2004) "Technical Report NEESgrid-2004-12," NEESGrid www.neesgrid.org/documents/NEESGrid-2004-12.pdf.
(Technical Report NEESgrid-2005-15).
Zhang, X, Ricles, J.M., and C. Cheng (2004) "State Space Based Effective Force Method For Real-Time Multi-Directional Seismic Testing," ATLSS Engineering Research Center.

Telepresence Capabilities

LAN Equipment and Computer Network

Shown below is a floor plan of the laboratory of the RTMD earthquake simulation facility, where the local area network (LAN) is identified. The laboratory of the RTMD earthquake simulation facility is supported by a switched gigabit copper network comprised of 16 independent connection ports on the laboratory floor, and an additional 8 connections in the control room to accommodate the control network, data acquisition, and RTMD servers. This network is operated as an independent subnet within the RTMD earthquake simulation facility, isolated from common network traffic, and managed as a secure subnet. The laboratory and control room network are connected through a managed gigabit switch to the university's main backbone, and through a leased connection to Internet2 at MAGPIE. From the RTMD earthquake simulation facility switch through the campus backbone all traffic travels over gigabit fiber connections. All the network equipment is managed and monitored by Lehigh's Library and Technology Services.

Figure 3.1 Local Area Network of the RTMD earthquake simulation facility

With the network isolated from the office network and the corresponding daily traffic, allows a greater flexibility and a larger pool of network addresses from which to assign computers, advanced sensors, and network cameras addresses, while making the maximum bandwidth available to the experimental and telepresence systems. The network switch allows the RTMD facility IT system to maintain a VLAN for security purposes and effectively shield systems controlling the experiment from the outside world.

For on-site (local) participants, several network ports have been provided in the control room for laptops and portable computers. A wireless network and the general building 100 megabit network are available in this room for observers. Access to the wireless connection changes, therefore, instructions for connection to the general network are available onsite. Due to rotating security on wireless access points, arrangements for wireless access need to be obtained at the time of a visit to the RTMD earthquake simulation facility.

In addition to the equipment of the IT system described in Chapter 1, the system has several additional pieces of equipment. Network cameras are accessible through web interfaces on the RTMDneespop and RTMDtele systems. Direct network access to these cameras is restricted in order to achieve optimal video streaming. As part of this network there are 6 cameras for laboratory use, 4 of which are permanently mounted cameras (2 Axis 205's and 2 Axis 2401+ PTZ cameras) installed in the laboratory, with the 2 remaining cameras (Sony SNC-RZ30N) having portable mounts for use in the laboratory. The RTMDtele has a streaming capacity for 20 camera sources, and can stream up to 100 clients. Video streams are managed through the telepresence system as part of the NEESgrid implementation. Additional still cameras are available for use in the laboratory on a use fee basis at this time.

Displays exist in the control room, and are configured and maintained with standard data and video content from active experiments. All of the video and data applications are based through the CHEF portal on the RTMDneespop, or the TPM. Local and remote participants will be able to view the displays via the network.

A portable videoconferencing system for use in the control room and laboratory is also available. It is capable of 4 point conferencing based on a H.323 protocol. A tethered camera is available for use in the laboratory with this system, providing researchers access to laboratory space during setup and configuration. Because of the harsh environment of the laboratory, use of the videoconferencing system in the laboratory is limited.

Telepresence

General

The implementation of the RTMD IT systems adheres to the protocols and implementations of the NEESgrid software distribution. It is therefore recommended that potential participants and collaborators refer to Technical Report NEESgrid-2004-15. This guide provides a comprehensive list of systems requirements, steps for authentication, and details for using any NEESpop portal implementation.

Applications developed for use by experimental participants in the configuration of data acquisition, simulation, and control will be discussed in further detail at the end of this chapter. This includes three specific applications and detailed instructions for use of the software for configuration of data acquisition, integrated simulation control, and telepresence.

After an experiment, the RTMD facility staff will ensure that all experimental data is placed in the local repository (RTMDrepos) using NFMS enabled applications. These applications exist on RTMDsim, RTMDxPC, RTMDdaq, RTMDctrl, and RTMDtele. The raw data from each of these systems is placed in the RTMDrepos. This data includes information on equipment configuration and experimental data structures.

Participation by Remote Researchers

(Update section with NEEScentral information)

Remote Experimental Participation (Control Interaction)

The RTMD IT systems support NTCP (NEES Telecontrol Protocol) to enable the direct participation between the RTMD facility and other experimental and analytical computational facilities. The implementation of this protocol has been developed to support the Distributed Hybrid Testing Method described in Chapter 2. A remote site interested in participating using this method must have the NEESgrid infrastructure in place to provide authentication and data sharing using common NEESgrid tools. The reader is referred to Technical Report NEESgrid-2004-15 for further information regarding the NTCP protocol, and Technical Report NEESgrid-2003-07.

The RTMD protocol for distributed hybrid testing requires that some information be communicated prior to any access to the local NTCP server is granted. Limit states, limit response, and expected command states must be clearly specified and communicated. The default limit states are zero to inhibit any unintended situations. The NTCP server is only operational during experiments, at all other times the service is shut down for security.

The current implementation of this protocol utilizes an NTCP server on the RTMDneespop and a NTCP gateway on the RTMDtele, (ports unspecified), which provides displacement and load control command access and feedback, as well as feedback access to any acquired data on RTMDdaq. Specification of the control points, command sets, and feedback requirements are necessary prior to experiment configuration. The diagrams below show the functionality of the protocol, and the basic elements that have been created to support its operation. A remote experimental participant would need to create an NTCP client. Commands to the RTMDsim are proxied through RTMDtele.

Figure 3.2 Basic functionality and elements to support NTCP

Additional programming information is available in Technical Report NEESgrid-2003-20 and Technical Report NEESgrid-2003-16. These documents describe the details of the transactional process of exchanging control and feedback information that a remote researcher would need in order to begin to develop an NTCP client.

The Casual Participant

(update with NEEScentral, RDV and flexTPS)

Education and Outreach

General

The vision of the Education, Outreach, and Training (EOT) program at Lehigh University Real-Time Multi-Directional (RTMD) Equipment Site can be outlined as follows:

Promote the discipline of earthquake engineering to a broad audience, including students (K-12, undergraduate, graduate) and professionals (practitioners, researchers, professors) through the utilization of Lehigh RTMD equipment, technology, and staff.
Enhance the awareness and utilization of Lehigh RTMD Equipment Site for earthquake engineering-related research projects.

The following section will illustrate the activities implemented by Lehigh RTMD staff to support its EOT vision.

Example Activities

Education

University Curriculum

The undergraduate and graduate teaching in Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) has been integrated into the activities of the RTMD earthquake simulation facility through curriculum. Numerous undergraduate and graduate courses have been augmented or developed to include subjects and/or experiments related to NEES activities. Such courses, along with the semester during which they were offered and by whom they were offered, are provided below:

Undergraduate curriculum SPRING 2005

CEE 363 "Building Systems Design", James Ricles

FALL 2005

CEE 244 "Foundation Engineering", Sibel Pamukcu
CEE 267 "Structural Analysis II", Yungfeng Zhang
CEE 352"Structural Dynamics", Richard Sause

SPRING 2006

CEE 363 "Building Systems Design", James Ricles

Graduate curriculum SPRING 2005

CEE 455 "Advanced Structural Dynamics", Richard Sause

FALL 2005

CEE 415 "Analysis and Design of Ductile Steel Systems", James Ricles
CEE 456 "Behavior and Design of Earthquake Resistant Structures", Peter Mueller

SPRING 2006

CEE 455 "Advanced Structural Dynamics", Richard Sause
CEE 467-040 "Nonlinear Analysis of Structural Components and Systems", James Ricles
CEE 467-041 "Smart Structural Systems", Yungfeng Zhang

University Classroom Projects/Activities

Lehigh University has incorporated the earthquake engineering discipline into several classroom projects/activities as part of semester curriculum for the given course. Examples of the projects are provided below:

Seismic Testing of Model TV Tower Under the direction of Professor Yungfeng Zhang, Co-PI on the Initial Equipment Site Construction Project at Lehigh, undergraduate (freshmen) students at Lehigh University participated in the design and creation of Model TV Towers that were subjected to subsequent testing on a shake table to understand structural performance under earthquake conditions. The course title is Engineering 5, "Introduction to Engineering Practice". This project was included as part of the course requirements during both the Fall 2005 and Spring 2006 semesters.

Seismic Testing of Pagoda Tower Under the direction of Professor Yungfeng Zhang, Co-PI on the Initial Equipment Site Construction Project at Lehigh, students at Lehigh University participated in the design and creation of a Pagoda Tower that were subjected to subsequent testing on a shake table to understand structural performance under earthquake conditions. The goal of the project was to experimentally study the seismic behavior of a Japanese pagoda and base-isolation technology. Students in the course built a scaled version of the 5-story Japanese wood pagoda. The testing was held on April 24, 2006. The Course Title is CE 467-41, "Smart Structural Systems".

Research Experience for Undergraduates Program

Lehigh University RTMD Equipment Site has been selected by NEESinc as one of only four sites to participate in NEES inaugural Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program. The RTMD Equipment Site operated the NEES REU program in conjunction with a summer REU program based out of the Advanced Technology for Large Structural Systems (ATLSS) Research Center at Lehigh University. This project was financed (in part) by a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development. The Summer 2006 program included a total of seven students, three of which participated through the NEES REU program and four of which participated through the ATLSS program.

Program Overview As part of the program, undergraduate students from various universities and colleges spent 10 weeks conducting research under the direction of Lehigh University faculty and staff at the ATLSS Research Center, within which Lehigh RTMD Equipment Site is located. The NEES students conducted research in the area of earthquake engineering, while the ATLSS students researched under a broader Civil and Structural Engineering research area. At the conclusion of the program, students were required to submit a technical report and give a presentation on their findings. Additionally, throughout the program, the students participated in a series of workshops to enhance their professional skills and partook in a series of offsite tours that exposed the students to industrial environments. The Summer 2006 program included the following workshops and tours:

Workshops

ATLSS Safety Presentation/Laboratory Tour, presented by ATLSS staff
Laboratory Safety/Construction Safety, presented by Lehigh University Environmental Health and Safety Department
Library Search Training, presented by Lehigh University Library and Technology Services Department
Resume Building Workshop, presented by Lehigh University Career Services Department
Effective Presentations/Powerpoint Workshop, presented by Lehigh University Media Services DepartmentTechnical Report Workshop, presented by ATLSS staff

Tours

Susquehanna River Bridge
Dorney Park
High Steel Structures, Inc.
Carpenter Technology Corporation

Outreach

K-12 Activities

Lehigh RTMD staff has participated in several K-12 activities, targeted at supporting the site vision of promoting the earthquake engineering discipline to students. Any school districts, community programs, youth organizations, camps, etc. interested in discussing potential outreach programs available for their students are encouraged to contact the RTMD Equipment Site EOT Coordinator, whose contact information is provided in Section 4.3, EOT Coordinator Contact Information. Examples of K-12 activities that have been offered to date are summarized below:

S.T.A.R. Academies RTMD staff, in conjunction with Professor Yungfeng Zhang, Co-PI on the Initial Equipment Site Construction Project at Lehigh, hosted Lehigh University S.T.A.R. (Students That Are Ready) Academies students on the following dates: January 28, 2006; March 18, 2006; April 22, 2006. S.T.A.R. Academies is an early intervention program designed to enrich and enhance the academic performance of economically and academically disadvantaged and/or at-risk elementary/middle/high school aged children. Student ages varied from 4th through 12th grade, and represented over five school districts (39 schools) in the Greater Lehigh Valley. The primary goals are to prepare and place these students in colleges and universities across the country in STEM and business majors. Activities included the following:

General discussion on earthquake engineering
Tours of the ATLSS Research Center and RTMD Equipment Site
Presentations on earthquakes in Pennsylvania
Demonstration of a small-shake table (seismic simulation) system and accompanying instrumentation (accelerometers) to illustrate how earthquake information is recorded
Student construction of structures using LEGOs that were subsequently subjected to earthquakes representative of those observed in Pennsylvania, California, and Alaska using a small-scale shake table (seismic simulation) system. Depending on the age group, design criteria were provided to the students.

The goal was to introduce students to earthquakes in Pennsylvania and basic earthquake engineering design considerations while providing a hands-on experience for the students. Due to the popularity of the activities with the students, the RTMD equipment site has been requested to participate again in the S.T.A.R. Academies program during the 2006-2007 academic year.

Centennial School RTMD staff, in conjunction with Professor Yungfeng Zhang, Co-PI on the Initial Equipment Site Construction Project at Lehigh, hosted Centennial School of Lehigh University students on April 28, 2006. Centennial School of Lehigh University pursues a two-fold mission: (a) to serve children with disabilities and their families, and (b) to prepare high quality special education teachers and related service personnel to enter the workforce in Pennsylvania and beyond. Centennial School of Lehigh University is a special education day school that serves students, ages 6 through 21, who are classified under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) as emotionally disturbed and/or autistic. The activity on this day included a brief presentation on earthquakes in Pennsylvania, followed by the construction of structures using LEGOs that were subsequently subjected to earthquakes representative of those observed in Pennsylvania, California, and Alaska using a small-scale shake table system. The goal was to introduce students to earthquakes in Pennsylvania and provide the students an opportunity to construct a building that will be subjected to earthquakes.

Mulberry Child Care Center RTMD staff, in conjunction with Professor Yungfeng Zhang, Co-PI on the Initial Equipment Site Construction Project at Lehigh, hosted students from the Allentown Mulberry Child Care Center on July 18, 2006. On this day, 22 students, with ages ranging from 1st grade through 8th grade, participated in a series of earthquake engineering-related activities, including:

A general presentation on earthquakes, earthquake engineering, and Lehigh NEES RTMD site
A tour of the RTMD equipment site and control room
Seismic testing of a viscoelastic damper utilizing RTMD equipment
Hands-on input into Hybrid Viz seismic simulation software developed by NEES REU student Gabriel Valencia during Summer 2006 REU program
Limited hands-on control of RTMD equipment
A presentation on earthquakes in Pennsylvania
Student construction of structures using LEGOs that were subsequently subjected to earthquakes representative of those observed in Pennsylvania, California, and Alaska using a small-scale shake table (seismic simulation) system.

Posters

The RTMD Equipment Site has created posters for display at events such as the NEES Grand Opening in Davis, CA, the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) Conference in San Francisco celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, and NEES Annual Meetings. Examples of some of the posters are provided below for review:

EERI Conference, April 2006

NEES Annual Meetings

Participation at Professional Conferences

Lehigh RTMD Faculty and Staff participate in various professional conferences related to seismic engineering. Participation may include, but is not limited to, technical presentations, poster development, proceedings development, and creation of display exhibits. A list of recent conference proceedings is included within the Publications section of this website. A list of posters developed for such conferences is available within the Posters section of this manual.

Lehigh RTMD staff created a site exhibit for the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) Conference celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake in April 2006. The site developed the exhibit in order to promote the equipment site technical capabilities and current research projects. The exhibit was awarded the "Best NEES Exhibit at the Eighth National Conference on Earthquake Engineering" by NEESinc. Pictures of the exhibit are provided below:

Equipment Site Tours

Tours of the RTMD Equipment Site, both scheduled and unscheduled, are available and can be coordinated through the RTMD Site Operations Manager. Tours have been provided to various groups, including domestic and international researchers, industrial organizations, and both K-12 and collegiate (undergraduate and graduate) students.

Equipment Site Activity Map

Lehigh RTMD staff regularly updates the NEES Equipment Site Activity Map with information regarding RTMD site activities at NEESactivities. The site contains information on current research projects and provides video links to the RTMD Equipment Site. Snapshots from the Equipment Site Activity Map, indicating an active Lehigh research day in blue, are shown below:

Media Coverage

Activities of RTMD Equipment Site have been covered and subsequently reported on in both video and print media. Examples of the media coverage are provided below:

100th Anniversary of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake

The following 3 news stations broadcast reports on Lehigh earthquake engineering research from the ATLSS research center, exhibiting RTMD Equipment Site capabilities:

Channel 69 News (WFMZ TV) Lehigh Valley, April 18, 2006
Fox29 News Philadelphia, April 17, 2006
KYW CBS3 News Philadelphia, April 18, 2006.

An Associated Press report discussing earthquake engineering research being conducted at Lehigh University was published in the Express Times on April 18, 2006. A copy of the article is presented below:

This Associated Press report was published locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally, at the following locations:

Local

mcall.com (Lehigh Valley): "Engineers Work on Quake-Proof Buildings", April 18, 2006
Express Times (Lehigh Valley): "Lehigh Scientists Shake Up Quake-Proof Structures", April 18, 2006
wfmz.com (Lehigh Valley): "Earthquake Proof Buildings", April 18, 2006

Regional

cbs3.com (Philadelphia): "Lehigh University Testing Earthquake Safety", April 17, 2006
philly.com (Philadelphia): "Lehigh Engineers Working on An Earthquake-Proof Building", April 18, 2006
phillyburbs.com (Philadelphia): "Engineers Work on Quake-Proof Buildings", April 18, 2006
timesleader.com (Wilkes-Barre): "Engineers Working on an Earthquake-Proof Building", April 18, 2006
whptv.com (Harrisburg): "Engineers Working on an Earthquake-Proof Building", April 18, 2006

National

lasvegassun.com (national): "Engineers Work on Quake-Proof Buildings", April 18, 2006
abcnews.com (national): "Engineers Work on Quake-Proof Buildings", April 18, 2006
foxnews.com (national): "Engineers Try to Design 'Earthquake-Proof' Buildings", April 18, 2006
insurancejournal.com (national): "Engineers Working, Stretching, Bending Toward Earthquake-Proof Building", April 18, 2006
examiner.com (national): "Engineers Work on Quake-Proof Buildings", April 18, 2006

International

canada.com (international): "Engineers Work on Next-Generation Quake-Proof Buildings", April 18, 2006

S.T.A.R. Academy Outreach Session

An article that discussed the April 22, 2006 outreach session with the S.T.A.R. Academy was published in The Morning Call on April 23, 2006. A copy of the article is provided below:

Research Workshops

RTMD staff assisted in the organization of and participated in a workshop entitled U.S.-Taiwan Workshop on Self-Centering Structural Systems, which was held June 6-7, 2005, at the National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering (NCREE) in Taipei, Taiwan. This workshop provided a forum to exchange information and ideas, and to formulate plans for future collaboration between the U.S. and Taiwan, with regard to a systematic investigation of post-tensioned self-centering structural systems for buildings. Presentations at the workshop included the seismic behavior of post-tensioned beam-to-column connections, column-to-base connections, frame systems, damage assessment and monitoring of self-centering frame systems, and analytical and experimental simulation methods for self-centering systems. A panel session was held at the end of the workshop to formulate bilateral collaborations and future perspectives of U.S. and Taiwan researchers. The workshop was sponsored by the National Science Council of Taiwan and NCREE. Future workshops are tentatively scheduled for October 2006 in Taiwan during the International Conference on Earthquake Engineering, January 2007 in the United States, and October 2007 in Taiwan.

Training

Seismic Testing Workshop

The RTMD Equipment Site held its first NEES@Lehigh: Real-Time Multi-Directional Seismic Testing Workshop on June 19, 2006 and a second one on November 12, 2007. Attendees were trained on the technical capabilities of the equipment site, provided with a review of current research projects and opportunities for future projects, challenged with a hands-on problem associated with control, presented hands-on participation activities related to hybrid simulation, and trained on proposal development utilizing the RTMD Equipment Site.

Website Training

The RTMD staff regularly updates the site training materials offered within the Training section located within the NEES@Lehigh website. Certain training modules are available to the public, while others require authorization from the RTMD staff. Parties interested in reviewing the training material requiring authorization are encouraged to contact the RTMD Systems Administrator.

EOT Coordinator Contact Information

Lehigh RTMD Equipment Site welcomes the opportunity to educate the community on earthquake engineering, develop outreach activities which involve the community, and train the community on how to best utilize the technical capabilities of the site. If you are interested in any of the activities noted above, or have an idea for an activity that you would like to discuss with the RTMD Equipment Site, we encourage you to contact the site EOT Coordinator:

Gary Novak
610-758-5488 (phone)
610-758-5902 (fax)
gsn207@lehigh.edu (e-mail)

Procedures & Policies

This chapter describes the procedures and policies for use of the NEES Real-Time Multi-Directional (RTMD) earthquake simulation facility at Lehigh University. The RTMD Facility NEES equipment is housed within the existing main laboratory of the Center for Advanced Technology for Large Structural Systems (ATLSS). The ATLSS facilities, including the RTMD Facility, are available for both academic/sponsored laboratory research and external (industrial) testing and use. As the ATLSS Lab now includes both NEES equipment and non-NEES equipment, every attempt will be made to accommodate concurrent use of the laboratory. For use of NEES equipment, priority will be given to NEES projects while priority will be given to the ATLSS Center faculty and staff for use of non-NEES equipment. For the purposes of this policy statement, NEES projects are defined as projects receiving funding through the NSF for use of the NEES equipment or projects that have received approval by NEESinc for shared-use access, as per the NEESinc Shared-Use Partnering Policy (SUPP), which is available on the NEES website (www.nees.org). The RTMD Facility will be responsible for maintaining NEES equipment, operating the equipment during the experiments, and providing basic training to collaborating researchers for use of the equipment.

NEES Projects

As previously noted, NEES projects are defined as projects receiving funding through the NSF for use of the NEES equipment or projects that have received approval by NEESinc for shared-use access, as per the NEESinc Shared-Use Partnering Policy. Equipment use fees are not applied to NEES equipment (equipment covered in Section 1.3, RTMD Equipment Specifications) that is utilized as part of a NEES project. Additionally for NEES projects, select services covered within the scope of the site's Operations and Maintenance Budget that are performed by site and laboratory personnel are not subject to use fees. NEES researchers will have the opportunity to utilize non-NEES equipment on a use-fee basis. Fee schedules are provided in Section 5.9, Rate Schedule for RTMD Facility, ATLSS, and Fritz Labs - NEES Projects, for NEES projects (Section 5.10, Rate Schedule for RTMD Facility, ATLSS, and Fritz Labs - non-NEES Projects, provides fee schedules for non-NEES projects). Regarding services, Section 5.8, Scope of Services Covered by the NEES Operations and Maintenance Budget, outlines both activities and services covered by Lehigh's RTMD facility under its Operations and Maintenance Budget and those activities and services that are to be covered by the research project. Thus, in summary, a researcher interested in developing costs associated with utilizing Lehigh's RTMD equipment site for a NEES project should reference Section 5.8 to understand the scope of services which are covered under the NEES Operations and Maintenance Budget and Section 5.9 to understand the cost structure associated with equipment and personnel required for the NEES project.

Note that all projects that utilize Lehigh's ATLSS Laboratory, whether NEES or non-NEES, is subject to an overall project fee, as outlined in Table 5.9-1, with the amount dependent on the project's budget specific to utilization of Lehigh's ATLSS Laboratory. The type of funding for the project, whether Academic/Sponsored or External Testing and Use, also determines the fee rate. The project fee will be applied to each project to cover the cost of maintaining ATLSS lab tools, miscellaneous equipment, and facilities, such as, but not limited to, hand tools, forklift, overhead crane, and hydraulic pumping systems that are non-NEES equipment. The fee will be assessed to each project for the time the project is active in the ATLSS Lab. This fee will be reviewed annually by ATLSS personnel and is subject to revision upon review. Finally, visiting researchers will be provided office space at the ATLSS Center for the duration of their project, and will have restricted access to the ATLSS Lab and Fritz Lab for NEES project related activities.

Non-NEES Projects

Non-NEES projects are considered those projects which are not sponsored by the National Science Foundation and which are not approved for shared-use access by NEESinc, or those projects which are funded privately by industry with no intent of conforming to the requirements established in the NEES Facilities Users Guide. Non-NEES project laboratory services and activities are not covered, in any manner, under the RTMD's NEES Operations and Maintenance Budget. All laboratory activities are to be charged directly to the laboratory project. Additionally, equipment use fees for use of both NEES and non-NEES equipment are applied to these projects. Rates for use of this equipment are outlined in Section 5.10, Rate Schedule for RTMD Facility and ATLSS Lab. Note that each project is subject to an overall project fee, as outlined in Table 5.10-1, which is a function of the project's budget specific to utilization of the ATLSS Laboratory and is dependent on whether the project is Academic/Sponsored or External Testing and Use. The project fee will be applied to each project to cover the cost of maintaining ATLSS lab tools, miscellaneous equipment, and facilities, such as, but not limited to, hand tools, forklift, overhead crane and hydraulic pumping systems that are non-NEES equipment. The fee will be assessed to each project for the time the project is active in the ATLSS Lab. This fee will be reviewed annually by ATLSS personnel and is subject to revision upon review.

Guidelines for Proposal Preparation

Researchers interested in developing a proposal to utilize Lehigh's Equipment Site are referred to NEES Facilities Users Guide, which can be downloaded directly from the Policies section on NEESinc's website (www.nees.org). Lehigh's site also recommends that contact be made early in the proposal process with Lehigh's Site Operations Manager, in order to aid in planning, scheduling, cost development, etc. Lehigh also intends to offer an annual Seismic Testing Workshop (see Workshops heading at www.nees.lehigh.edu for more details) with the goal of training potential site users on the site's capabilities, equipment specifications, proposal development, etc. Researchers interested in utilizing the equipment site are strongly encouraged to attend the workshop.

Guidelines for Funded Projects

Researchers that have received funding to utilize Lehigh's Equipment Site are referred to the NEES Facilities Users Guide, which can be downloaded directly from the Policies section on NEESinc's website (www.nees.org). This document includes a section entitled Guidelines for Funded Proposals. Among the topics covered in this section are Equipment Site Compliance Checks, Research Participation Agreements, and site scheduling. Researchers are strongly encouraged to review this section during the proposal development stage in order to understand the informational details that will be required by the equipment site upon funding of the project.

Required Documentation

Two primary documents must be completed prior to the onset of any laboratory activity for an awarded research project. The documents are outlined below:

Equipment Site Policies Compliance Check (ESPCC): To be completed by an equipment site representative, with supporting information provided by the researcher. The ESPCC assures policy compliance with respect to NEES Facilities Users Guide, experimental feasibility, safety, budget, schedule, and available data services. A copy of the ESPCC form is available at the NEESinc web site (www.nees.org), under Policies.
Research Participation Agreement (RPA): To be completed by the researcher, with assistance from the equipment site staff. The RPA represents a contract between the Equipment Site and NEESinc, detailing (but not limited to) sections including:

Indemnification
Insurance
Payment terms
Termination terms
Intellectual Property rights
Publication rights
Change order procedures
Conflict resolution procedures
Scope of Work
Project Description
Project Schedule and Required Equipment
Risk Mitigation Plan
Safety Plan
Data Sharing and Archiving Plan
Budget for site activities
Roles and Responsibilities for both researcher and equipment site

The RPA agreement template for Lehigh University is available on the NEESinc website (www.nees.org), under Research Sites, Lehigh University. Lehigh University reserves the right to deny the use of the RTMD Facility to visiting researchers for any reason if researcher actions are inconsistent with the goals and policies of the University.

Training

The RTMD Facility Training Plan intends to provide the level of information and training required for the following three user groups.

NEES Proposers

NEES Proposers are researchers developing NEES proposals that, if successful, would utilize the RTMD Facility. These researchers are expected to have basic understanding and some experience in laboratory experiments involving the dynamic effects of earthquakes on large structures and structural components. Two key components that provide the information required for NEES Proposers are the RTMD Facility Users Manual, available at http://www.nees.lehigh.edu, and material at the NEES website. These components together provide the information required to understand the physical facilities and test equipment and the procedures and policies to be followed at the RTMD Facility. A third component of proposer training is the offering of Seismic Testing Workshops by RTMD staff at Lehigh's NEES equipment facility. Additional information on such workshops is available under the Workshops heading at the RTMD Facility website. Further clarifications and budget development assistance will be available through the RTMD Facility Operations Manager.

NEES On-Site Users

A formal on-site training program must be completed satisfactorily prior to any use of NEES or non-NEES equipment, including all of the ATLSS Lab equipment. RTMD Facility staff will provide training through regularly scheduled training workshops for all RTMD Facility users with awarded projects. For all projects, these training workshops will emphasize the safety procedures and policies described in the RTMD Facility Safety Manual. An overview of the RTMD Facility operations will also be provided. Additional training topics may include tasks specific to awarded projects, including instrumentation, data acquisition, control, and algorithm verification procedures. The duration of a training workshop will typically be 2 days and will be conducted at the RTMD Facility. Any additional training required for a specific project should be discussed in the proposal preparation process and the costs included in the proposal and testing plan. This additional training may be conducted utilizing teleconferencing, if appropriate. The NEES project PI, and students and staff from the project PIs home institution and from any project subcontractors must be authorized by the RTMD Facility Operations Manager to have access to the ATLSS Lab and any laboratory equipment. The staff of the RTMD Facility is available to assist and/or perform all functions related to the setup and operation of NEES and non-NEES equipment. All hydraulic actuators, hydraulic power systems, and control systems will be operated exclusively by RTMD Facility staff. These systems require extensive training and experience to operate properly. Improper operation poses significant risk to the facility and personnel in the ATLSS Lab. Additionally, trained members of the ATLSS staff will operate the ATLSS Labs forklift and overhead crane or other equipment requiring professional skill or operating certification.

NEES Observers

The third component of this Training Plan is educational in its focus and is intended to enhance the understanding of the effects of seismic events on structures for practicing engineers, interested graduate and undergraduate students, and K-12 teachers and students. Project summaries for each research project will be developed and posted on the RTMD Facility website (under Current Projects). It is the responsibility of the researcher to provide the RTMD Facility Staff with the project summary and any additional information required by the RTMD Facility Staff to post a project summary. Seminars will be conducted by the principal researcher or designate for each project. These seminars will be announced and open to the public.

Experiment Execution

Standard RTMD Facility and ATLSS Lab hours of operation are 7:00 am to 12:00 pm, and 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm local time. Exceptions to this policy must be made in writing in advance and agreed upon by the RTMD Facility Operations Manager and ATLSS Lab Manager. NEES projects are responsible for overtime hours incurred by RTMD Facility personnel during extended hours of operation. An exception to this policy might occur when extended hours of operation result from malfunction of the RTMD Facility equipment. The RTMD Facility Director and staff recognize the importance of opening the facility to all members of the earthquake engineering community for their research needs. Efforts have been made to maintain a safe, secure working environment for participants and visitors. There are, however, some areas within the ATLSS Lab that remain open to RTMD Facility and ATLSS Lab staff only. In general, these are consistent with standard safety practices and reflect a cautious approach in the interest of safety. As an example of such, the hydraulic pump house and electrical service equipment will remain closed to all visitors, including those working on NEES projects.

ATLSS Lab, which houses the RTMD Facility, is a ground level laboratory fully compliant with ADA requirements. Offices within and adjacent to the ATLSS Lab are also accessible. Special accommodations may be arranged with advance notice. The ATLSS Center offers office spaces with Ethernet access for visiting NEES project personnel. While the ATLSS Lab does not operate on a 24-hour basis, the ATLSS Center is accessible at all hours.

The control room for the RTMD Facility has a window facing the ATLSS Lab and is designed to accommodate up to 4 researchers with computer access available. During testing, researchers will be asked to refrain from entering the test area for safety reasons. The control room affords a limited view of the test area. Cameras focused on the test setup will provide more comprehensive views of the test. Video display screens will be available in the control room.

Safety Plan

University Safety Policy

Lehigh University’s Safety Policy can be found at the following link on the University Environmental Health and Safety Organization webpage.

http://www.lehigh.edu/~inehs/policy.html

Lehigh ATLSS and RTMD Facility Safety Policy

It is the intent of the Lehigh University ATLSS Center and the NEES RTMD facility that functions within the ATLSS Center to provide a safe and healthy working environment for all faculty, staff, students, contractors, and researchers who may work at or visit the RTMD Facility. These individuals are entitled to work and conduct their research in a safe and hazard-free environment. Therefore, the RTMD facility will strive to provide the maximum degree of safety possible. While Federal, State, and Local regulations may mandate a minimum level of safety the RTMD facility will endeavor to surpass these minimal standards. We believe that health and safety is everyone’s concern, as it is only through our mutual efforts and vigilance that we will eliminate accidents resulting in personal injury and loss of property. Each person using RTMD facilities and equipment is required to act in a safe and responsible manner and is requested to report unsafe conditions to the appropriate RTMD personnel and to us if the matter is not resolved to their satisfaction. The Lehigh RTMD Facility has long been recognized for its excellence research. Through the dedicated efforts of everyone involved, we can maintain a safe and healthy environment in which we can continue our research pursuits.

Dr. Richard Sause, Director, Lehigh ATLSS Center

Dr. James Ricles, Director, Lehigh NEES RTMD Facility

General

All safety guidelines detailed in the RTMD Facility Safety Manual must be strictly followed. Additional on-site safety training will be required for all laboratory users in order to be authorized to access the RTMD Facility. Regularly scheduled training workshops will be announced. All off-site researchers will be required to successfully complete a training workshop prior to the start of their project. Emphasis in this training is placed on safe operating procedures, hazards related to specific equipment usage, and general laboratory safety. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is issued to each laboratory user while working in the ATLSS Lab. This PPE includes, but is not limited to, hardhats, safety glasses and goggles, hearing protection, and dust masks. All issues related to insurance and liability must be addressed in a fully executed contract between Lehigh University and the institution of the off-site researcher.

Chemical safety within the ATLSS Lab and at the RTMD Facility is of great importance and receives corresponding attention. No chemicals are to be brought or shipped to the ATLSS Center without the prior written consent of the RTMD Facility Operations Manager. These chemicals include, but are not limited to, concrete additives and curing agents, degreasers, strain gage application chemicals, and household cleaning products. Generation of hazardous waste from experimental procedures will be closely monitored and projects will be held accountable for any waste generated and may incur charges related to proper waste disposal. Other site-specific hazards within the Laboratory will be identified during the training workshops described previously. The staff of the ATLSS Center is committed to providing the safest and most accessible environment to all visitors to the facility.

Accident Analysis

Lehigh University’s Accident Analysis Process and Procedures can be found at the following link on the University Environmental Health and Safety Organization webpage:

http://www.lehigh.edu/~inehs/accidents.html

Accident Investigation

Lehigh University’s Accident Investigation Process and Procedures can be found at the following link on the University Environmental Health and Safety Organization webpage:

http://www.lehigh.edu/~inehs/accidents.html

Accident Recordkeeping

Lehigh University’s Accident Recordkeeping Process and Procedures can be found at the following link on the University Environmental Health and Safety Organization webpage:

http://www.lehigh.edu/~inehs/accidents.html

Emergency Plan

Emergency Response Plan

Revision: April 1, 2009

INTRODUCTION

The Advanced Technology for Large Structural Systems (ATLSS) Engineering Research Center is a national engineering center focused on cutting edge research for the civil and marine infrastructure. The Center is located within the Imbt Laboratories (117 ATLSS Drive) on Lehigh University’s mountaintop campus. The emergency response plan of the Center is intended to cover specific aspects of potential emergencies that would relate to the Center. The Center’s emergency response procedures outlined in this document have been designed to support much broader Lehigh University response to any given situation. Thus, the following plan exists as only a portion of an overall Lehigh University Emergency Response Plan.

LEHIGH UNIVERSITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE LEADERSHIP

The role of the Center in any specific emergency situation is first and foremost to notify and support the University Emergency Response Officer (UERO) as events occur. At Lehigh University, the Chief of the University Police Department has been designated to serve in this capacity. At present, the Chief of the University Police Department is Edward K. Shupp. Contact information for Chief Shupp is provided below:

Address: Johnson Hall room 221

36 University Drive

Phone: 610-758-4200

DISASTER LEVELS Level I (minor emergency)

Any incident/accident that has a minor effect on the operations of the university and the members of the university community. All minor emergencies must be reported to the Lehigh University Police Department. The current plan would not be in effect for minor emergencies.

Level II (major emergency)

Major emergencies are any emergency incidents, actual or potential, that may affect entire buildings, the personal safety of members of the university community, or disrupt the overall operation of the university. This may require organizational resources in addition to those readily available. The Chief of Police will notify the President through the Vice Provost for Student Affairs.

Level III (disaster)

Disasters are emergency incidents, natural or manmade, that may cause serious injury death to individuals or seriously impairs or halts the operations of the university. Casualties and severe property loss may be expected. A coordinated team effort will be required of various campus services to effectively handle this contingency. Outside emergency services will be required.

ATLSS INVOLVEMENT IN RESPONSE TO EMERGENCIES

The University Emergency Response Officer will rely upon the assistance and cooperation of members of the ATLSS Research Center as specific emergency situations are addressed. Specific areas where assistance may be required include:

▪ Communications and Awareness to the ATLSS and/or University community

▪ Basic Services Continuation

▪ Workforce Restoration

In these and other areas, members of the ATLSS Research Center will be required to provide valuable and necessary assistance. As situations are addressed, decisions and communications within the Center will be made in a manner consistent with the Center’s organizational structure, which is explained below.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

The ATLSS Research Center is organized as shown in Appendix A. The Center is led by Richard Sause, who serves as the Director. The Director is assisted by the Deputy Director and the Administrative Director, who serves as the primary ATLSS Building Monitor. All personnel within the Center reports to either the Director, Deputy Director, or Administrative Director directly or through the Manager of Structural Testing Laboratories (who serves as an alternate ATLSS Building Monitor) or Laboratory Operations Manager. Additionally, within the Center’s operation exists the NEES Real-Time Multi-Directional Test Facility, whose operations are overseen by the Site Director and Site Operations Manager (who serves as an alternate ATLSS Building Monitor). Each of these individuals is identified in Appendix A.

DECISION RESPONSIBILITY HEIRARCHY

While the University Emergency Response Officer will be the primary decision maker during emergencies, the response to any particular situation is likely to require that decisions be made at the Center level. When such input is necessary, the hierarchy of those responsible will be as shown in Appendix A. When available, the Director will make all required decisions. In the event of his absence, the Deputy Director followed by the Administrative Director, will make all required decisions. If all of these individuals are not available, the Manager of Structural Testing Laboratories, the Laboratory Operations Manager, and the NEES Site Operations Manager should be consulted. Any of these three individuals is authorized to make the required decision in absence of the Director, Deputy Director, and/or Administrative Director. Contact information for each of these individuals is included in Appendix A.

EVACUATION AND RELOCTION SITE

When the decision has been made to evacuate a building, those persons occupying the structure at that time should immediately exit the nearest door, proceed to the nearest exterior door (marked by EXIT signs), and proceed to the nearest rallying site. Due to the layout of the ATLSS laboratory, the following two rallying sites exist:

▪ In the parking lot on the north end of the building (near the Energy Research Center)

▪ In the courtyard on the east side of the building.

Once at either of these two locations, individuals should await further instructions. Elevators are not to be accessed during the evacuation. If either of these two locations are involved in the emergency, the alternative rally site is provided below:

▪ In front of the Printing Services Building (118 ATLSS Drive, Building J).

APPENDIX A

ATLSS' RESEARCH CENTER

EMERGENCY DECISION MAKING HIERARCHY

Last Name	First Name	Title	Building Monitor	Campus Phone	Cell Phone	E-mail
Sause	Richard	Director	-----	610-758-3565	610-297-1527	rs0c
Ricles	James	Deputy Director; RTMD Site Director	-----	610-758-6252	610-393-8582	jmr5
Kusko	Chad	Administrative Director	Primary	610-758-5299	610-349-3489	chk205
Stokes	Frank	Manager of Structural Testing Laboratories	Alternate	610-758-5498	610-554-0535	fes2
Hoffner	John	Manager of Laboratory Operations	-----	610-758-4365	484-550-9406	jph3
Novak	Gary	RTMD Site Operations Manager	Alternate	610-758-5488	610-730-3271	gsn207

Emergency Contacts

Emergency Contacts can be found at the following link on the University Environmental Health and Safety Organization webpage.

http://www.lehigh.edu/~inehs/emergencynum.html

Emergency Evacuation Procedures

Emergency Evacuation Procedures can be found at the following link on the University Environmental Health and Safety Organization webpage:

http://www.lehigh.edu/~inehs/emergency_procedures.html

Environmental Preparedness, Prevention and Contingency Plan (EPPC Plan)

Environmental Preparedness, Prevention and Contingency Plan (EPPC Plan) can be found at the following link on the University Environmental Health and Safety Organization webpage:

http://www.lehigh.edu/~inehs/eppc.html

Employee Participation in Safety

Health and safety is everyone’s concern, as it is only through our mutual efforts and vigilance that we will eliminate accidents resulting in personal injury and loss of property. Each person using RTMD facilities and equipment is required to act in a safe and responsible manner and is requested to report unsafe conditions to the appropriate RTMD personnel if the matter is not resolved to their satisfaction. This is reinforced in our Laboratory and the University Management Safety Policy Statements. See above and following link:

http://www.lehigh.edu/~inehs/policy.html

Job Safety/ Hazard Analysis

Job Safety/Hazard Analysis are included in Univeristy job descriptions and are available upon request.

OSHA Action Plan

In the event of a site inspection by a federal or state OSHA compliance officer contact the University EHS department. Contact information can be found at the following link:

http://www.lehigh.edu/~inehs/staff.html

Remedial Action

Remedial Action is the responsibility of the RTMD Safety Committee. The committee is made up of the Lab Foreman, the Lab Administrative Director, the Lab Safety Officer and the NEES Operations Manager.

Title	Name	Phone	Email
Lab Administrative Director	Chad Kusko	758-5299	chk205@lehigh.edu
Lab Safety Officer	Frank Stokes	758- 5498	fes2@lehigh.edu
NEES Operations Manager	Gary Novak	758-5488	gsn207@lehigh.edu
Lab Foreman	John Hoffner	758-5488	jph3@lehigh.edu

General University process and procedures can be found at the following EHS link:

http://www.lehigh.edu/~inehs/policies/deptpolicy.html

Safety Rule Enforcement

Enforcement of Univeristy and RTMD safety rules is the ultimate responsibility of the RTMD Safety Committee.

University Policy process and procedures can be found at the following link:

http://www.lehigh.edu/~inehs/policies/deptpolicy.html

Failure to comply with safety rules will result in the following disciplinary procedures:

1) Written warnings. 2) Evaluation for retraining. 3) Time off for flagrant or repeated violations. 4) Termination for continued flagrant or repeated violations.

SAFETY RULES

Revised April 1, 2009

These safety rules apply to ALL people working in the structural laboratories, including students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

The Lehigh University NEES testing facility, located in the ATLSS Research Center, allows for multi-directional real-time seismic testing, combined with real-time analytical simulations, to investigate the seismic behavior of large-scale structural components, structural sub assemblages, and super assemblages (systems). This is achieved through the combined use of dynamic actuators, reaction wall, and strong floor. This facility is also designed to support the development of new hybrid testing methods for real-time multi-directional (RTMD) testing of large-scale structures, including multi-substructures, where the substructures involved are at different geographic locations connected by the NEES network.

The hydraulic actuators have load capacities in the hundreds of thousands pounds and operate at hydraulic supply pressures exceeding 3000 psi. The danger potential in the lab is very high. Sudden and catastrophic specimen or fixture failure is possible. It is the responsibility of each test engineer and principal investigator to evaluate the test, from erection through testing and removal to identify hazards and determine the possibility and consequences (projectiles, collapse, etc.) of failures. Preventative measures should be implemented to minimize the danger to personnel and equipment. If the danger cannot be eliminated, additional safety measures and limited access to the test areas or entire lab should be enforced and appropriate warning signs displayed. For NEES Shared-Use projects, all phases of the test must be reviewed and approved by ATLSS Research Center personnel before project initiation and testing. The review process will be coordinated by the Operations Manager.

Although some activities are restricted to the laboratory technician staff, many activities in the structural labs may be performed by students, faculty, and staff researchers. All users must be trained and demonstrate safe and competent operation before being permitted to operate tools, testing equipment, and data acquisition systems on their own. The primary sources for training are the Laboratory Foreman and the Instrument Group Supervisor.

Be aware of the environment. Crane operation, fabrication, erection of test setups, congested areas, storage areas, and oil on the floor all contribute to potentially dangerous areas. Observe all warning signs, signals, and roped off areas.

Clothing

Long pants and fully enclosed shoes must be worn by students, faculty, staff, and visitors in all laboratories. Areas included are the test floors, staging areas, fabrication areas, and aisle ways. Shorts, skirts, dresses, and sandals are not permitted. The dress code is applicable at all times (24 hours/day, 7 days/week) and all circumstances (fabrication, setup, gaging, wiring, testing, observing the test, checking control/data acquisition systems, data analysis, cleanup, examining specimens, discussing technical activities, etc.). Exceptions to the dress code may be granted under special circumstances by the ATLSS Director. Anyone violating the dress code will be asked and expected to leave the laboratory.

Long sleeve shirts should be worn if operating grinding or burning equipment. Loose fitting clothing, such as lab jackets, ties, etc., should not be worn when operating the sanding belt or other rotating equipment.

Protective Equipment

Hard hats are required in all ATLSS Lab high and low bay areas, and within cordoned off areas in Fritz Lab (see attached hard hat policy). Hard hats are stored in the main aisle closet at ATLSS and in the Foreman’s office at Fritz Lab.

Eye protection is required in all ATLSS Laboratory areas, including the high bays, machine shop area, weld shop area, and Satec room (see attached eye protection policy). General eye protection is required of everyone entering the designated areas. Specific tasks and equipment require additional measures of eye protection. Safety glasses are stored in the main aisle closet and the safety locker at ATLSS.

Hard hats, gloves, ear plugs, ear muffs, safety glasses, goggles, face shields, dust masks, harnesses, and other protective equipment are available. This equipment should be used as needed to ensure safe working practice. See the laboratory foreman for this equipment and proper use. Respirator use is restricted to people who have taken the respirator training course and respiratory medical exam.

Fabrication and Machine Shop Areas

Welding, sawing, drilling, machining, grinding, and sanding equipment are utilized in the labs. Equipment restricted to the laboratory technician staff includes the overhead cranes, forklift, welding, and large drill press. Other equipment may be used by research personnel who have received and successfully completed operational and safety training in the use of each tool. Contact the laboratory foreman for training. Safety glasses, goggles, or face shields should be worn when using this equipment. “Dress” glasses satisfying the general eye protection guidelines are not adequate for these applications. Welders are required to wear special goggles and/or face shield.

Glare shields and other barriers are to be placed to protect passers-by from weld glare and airborne debris. Do not look directly at welding operations.

Tools

Hand and power tools are available for student, faculty, and staff use. All users must receive and successfully complete operational and safety training in the use of each power tool. Contact the laboratory foreman for training.

Fall Protection

Fall protection equipment must be used for all activities performed above six (6) feet where enclosed railings are not available (see Lehigh University fall protection policy). Obtain fall protection equipment and training on proper use from the lab foreman.

Housekeeping

Clutter in a fabrication, preparation, or test area can lead to slips, trips, and falls. Keep all work areas and aisles clean and free of debris. Identify and place warning cones or signs at potential trip or slip hazards. Inform the lab foreman of any hazardous conditions.

After Hours Work

Work is permitted in the laboratories after normal working hours (see attached two person rule).

Incident Reporting

Report all accidents, safety incidents, operational incidents, and equipment problems to the lab foreman as soon as possible after occurrence.

Rule on Eye Protection in the ATLSS Laboratories effective 1/1/03

Objectives:

(1) Provide safer laboratory environment with enhanced level of eye protection.

(2) Comply with eye protection guidelines established by Lehigh University Environmental Health and Safety Department

Action:

All laboratory areas are designated as requiring general eye protection (high bays, machine shop area, weld shop area, Satec room). General eye protection is required of everyone entering the designated areas, regardless of affiliation with Lehigh University. In addition, specific activities are designated as requiring specific eye protection (examples: use of power tools, chemicals, etc.). On an as-needed basis, specific areas will be designated as requiring specific eye protection (example: side shields for Navy ship hull test).

Acceptable general eye protection includes, but is not limited to:

Commercial safety glasses. Prescription lenses (personal daily glasses) as long as the lenses cover the area from the eyebrow to the cheek. Commercial safety glasses that fit over prescription lenses.

Specific tasks and equipment require additional measures of eye protection. Tasks and corresponding eye protection include, but are not limited to:

Power Tools (grinding, drilling, machining, sawing, etc.):

Glasses with side protection, safety glasses, safety goggles, or full face shield.

Hydraulics (connecting Pipes, hoses, etc.):

Glasses with side protection, safety glasses, safety goggles, or full face shield

Chemical Use: Goggles or face shield

Torch Soldering & Cutting: Safety glasses with appropriate shading

Welding, Oxygen or Plasma Arc Cutting: Face shields with appropriate shading

Supply of Eye Protection:

General eye protection:

Non-prescription commercial safety glasses will be provided by the ATLSS Research Center. One pair of non-prescription safety glasses will be issued by the laboratory foreman to each person requesting safety glasses. It is strongly recommended that care be taken to minimize damaging or losing the glasses. Additionally, safety glass stations will be strategically located throughout the laboratories. Personnel are encouraged to return glasses to the safety glass stations after use.

For all personnel working in the laboratory who have prescription lenses, personal daily glasses that meet the cheek to brow requirements are sufficient. If the personal daily glasses do not meet the cheek to brow requirements, a decision has to be made whether to use the commercial safety glasses over the personal daily glasses or to purchase prescription safety glasses:

Laboratory technical staff: The ATLSS Research Center will purchase ANSI approved prescription safety glasses with side shields (permanently attached or attachable) for staff not having acceptable personal daily glasses. The purchased glasses must meet all safety glass usage requirements. Additional protection for specific cases (goggles or face shield) must be used as appropriate. Alternate personal daily glasses will not be provided.

Students, researchers, & other personnel working part-time in the laboratories: The Principal Investigator or Supervisor will be responsible for evaluating the project needs and establishing whether purchase of ANSI approved prescription safety glasses is warranted. It is up to the discretion of the PI to provide project funds for safety glasses. ATLSS Research Center funds will not be available for prescription safety glasses.

Rule on Hard Hats in the ATLSS Laboratories effective 1/1/03

Objectives:

(1) Provide safer laboratory environment with enhanced level of protection.

(2) Simplify hard hat guidelines for the ATLSS Multidirectional Experimental Laboratory high bays.

Action:

Hard hats are required in ALL ATLSS laboratory high and low bay areas except for designated areas shown on the attached drawing. Areas NOT requiring hard hats are identified by yellow cross hatching painted on the floor. They are:

Delivery area immediately inside the southeast rollup door where UPS, Fed Ex, etc. deliveries are accepted.

Aisle from building main corridor to lab foreman’s office.

Aisle from building main corridor to the Chemical Engineering and Energy Research Center laboratories located in the building west side.

The shop, staging areas, aisle along the test bed, and the north bay are no longer non-hard hat areas. All activity in the high and low bays, including, but not limited to working on the test beds, staging areas, or mezzanines, and walking through the laboratory high or low bays for any reason require wearing hard hats.

Faculty, students, and staff are encouraged to use the entrances to the main corridor to gain access to the building and to offices opening into the high bays, rather than walking through the high bays. Delivery personnel needing signatures from staff will be required to wear a hard hat to get to the foreman’s office or go through a non-high bay area such as the machine shop or main corridor.

Supply of Hard Hats:

A hard hat will be issued by the laboratory foreman to each person submitting a request. Please place your name in or on your hard hat. Personal hard hats may be stored in the main corridor hard hat closet. Please do not place your hard hat in the hard hat and safety glass stations. Limited space is available in these stations for temporary use hard hats. Hard hat and safety glass stations are located at the primary entrances to the high bays: north and south rollup doors, aisle adjacent to foreman’s office, and aisle from main corridor on north side of the reaction wall.

Two Person Rule effective 1/1/94

ISSUE

The operation of some ATLSS equipment can, in an instant, produce an injury where the operator could be rendered incapable of helping themselves or calling 911. Examples include, but are not limited to: falling off a raised test setup, severely cutting or smashing a finger or hand, or getting a metal splinter in an eye. Any of these incidents, if not treated rapidly, could produce a lost time accident or a more serious long term injury.

RATIONALE

It is critical the Lehigh University provides a safe and productive work environment. At times, it is necessary to have a work partner in order to ensure students, faculty, and staff do not place themselves at unnecessary risk. A “two person” rule to work in the testing laboratory environment provides an increment of safety unavailable to an individual working alone.

RULE

Any operation of hazardous equipment within the ATLSS Laboratories requires the operator have another individual be aware of the operation and available to protect the operator from a potentially hazardous situation.

The proximity of the “buddy” to the work environment will depend on the level of risk to the operator. Examples:

1. Operation of all power hand tools requires the notification of another person that is in the building that you will be working, and to please check in with you should they leave. 2. Band saw operation would require a “buddy” to be present in the immediate area of the equipment.

For benign operations, such as checking the numbers of cycled on a specimen, if no one is in the building, notification to the Campus police *758-4200 will suffice if they are given a time limit for a call back stating completion of the task.

Safety Self-Audits

The Laboratory Safety Committee shall review documentation on all safety related activities on a semi-annual basis to ensure the effectiveness of the safety plan. This review will include the findings during the annual safety walk-through, any remedial activities that result from that, accident reports, any discipline activities and incident reports.

Safety Self-Inspections

A safety walk-through is conducted on an annual basis to by the Lab Safety Director, the NEES Operations Manager and Randy Shebby, the EHS Assistant Director. Any conditions that require actions are documented in Mr. Shebby’s report and addresses by the laboratory safety committee.

Safety self inspections are to be conducted as a part of the preparatations for any planned tests or activities and continue as the testing or activities progress.

Safety Staffing

The RTMD facility safety committee is as follows:

Title	Name	Phone	Email
Lab Administrative Director	Chad Kusko	758-5299	chk205@lehigh.edu
Lab Safety Officer	Frank Stokes	758- 5498	fes2@lehigh.edu
NEES Operations Manager	Gary Novak	758-5488	gsn207@lehigh.edu
Lab Foreman	John Hoffner	758-5488	jph3@lehigh.edu

The committee will meet formally twice annually to conduct safety self audits. In addition the committee will meet on an as needed basis to address any issues that might arise. The committee will issue a safety audit report after each semiannual meeting. The committee will also be responsible for reviewing and modifying the safety plan, investigating any accidents or incidents and recommending any disciplinary measures that may be required due to violation of the safety plan.

Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control

Training Information on this topic can be found at the University Environmental Health and Safety Organization webpage:

http://www.lehigh.edu/~inehs/quizzes.html

The RTMD facility complies with the University Plan for this hazard. It can be found below and at the following link:

http://www.lehigh.edu/~inehs/policies/bbppolicy.html

Purpose

To protect employees from exposure to bloodborne biohazardous agents and to ensure that all occupational and research activities are conducted in a manner consistent with Lehigh University's Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Program and 29 CFR 1910.1030. SCOPE The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard applies to all occupational exposures which may result in contact with blood or other infectious materials including:

Plasma
Sera
Semen
Vaginal secretions
Cerebrospinal fluid
Synovial fluid
Pericardial fluid
Pleural fluid
Peritoneal fluid
Amniotic fluid
Saliva (in dental procedures)

and any other body fluids visibly contaminated with blood, and all body fluids in situations where it is difficult to differentiate between body fluids. Also human cell cultures and any unfixed tissue or organ, other than intact skin, of a living or dead human is included.

To be in compliance with the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, Lehigh University has developed a Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan. The goal of the plan is the elimination of the health risk of workplace exposure to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), and other bloodborne pathogens through the use of:

Work practice controls,
Engineering controls,
Protective clothing and equipment,
Employee information and training, and
Medical Evaluations and follow-up of incidents involving exposure.

Policy

Program Responsibilities:

Responsibilities for Bloodborne Pathogen safety rests at all levels of the University and involves the following individuals or groups:

University President - The President has the ultimate responsibility for the Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Program within the institution and must, with other administrators, provide continuing support for the institutional program.
Provost Council - The Provost's Council shall oversee the University's Biosafety Committee and advise the President on biosafety practices and compliance with the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard.
University Biosafety Committee - The Biosafety Committee shall report directly to the Provost Council and its duties will include but not be limited to the following:
1. Give direction to the overall Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Program,
2. Establish and issue biosafety policies, rules and procedures to protect personnel and property,
3. Review and act on accident reports and reports from insurance companies, University Safety Committees and regulatory agencies,
4. Assign and/or conduct special biosafety investigations.
Deans, Directors, Department Chairs, Center/Institute Directors - It is the responsibility of Deans, Directors, Department Chairs, Center/Institute Directors to develop departmental procedures and implement practices to ensure effective compliance with the Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Program.
Principal Investigators (PIs)/Supervisors/Managers - Principal Investigators (PIs)/Supervisors/ Managers have primary responsibility for implementing the Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Program in their operational unit. These individuals are responsible for identifying potentially infectious and biohazardous materials and procedures and carrying out specific control procedures such as equipment and area decontamination schedules and procedures within their area of supervision. They are also responsible for the instruction of students and staff in the potential hazards of biologically derived materials. These individuals will ensure that his/her staff, with the potential for occupational exposure, is offered the HBV vaccine. The selection of individuals participating in the Hepatitis B vaccination program will be the responsibility of this group. Finally, they are responsible for identifying and training new employees on the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard.
All Lehigh University employees who have the potential to be exposed to bloodborne pathogens shall be trained in the Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Program before they begin their assignment. The training shall also be given to health workers, hired by the University, on an interim basis.
Environmental Health and Safety
1. Monitors compliance with the University's safety policies and procedures regarding potentially infectious and biohazardous materials.
2. Assists University personnel with the selection of safety equipment and work practice controls.
3. Provides technical guidance to all University employees on matters related to biosafety.
4. Develops and conducts general training and informational programs to promote techniques for the safe handling and disposal of biohazardous material. Specific training on the safe handling and use of potentially biohazardous materials is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator/Supervisor/Manager.
5. Investigates reported accidents which may result in personnel or environmental exposure to potentially infectious and biohazardous materials.
6. Coordinates the off-site disposal of potentially infectious wastes.
University Employees - These individuals are responsible for the following:
1. Complying with safety guidelines and procedures for the task(s) performed in their laboratories/areas.
2. Reporting of any unsafe condition to the Principal Investigator/Supervisor/Manager or Environmental Health and Safety.
Facilities Services - Monitors the operation of engineering controls such as fume hoods and coordinates a preventative maintenance program for these controls.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

General Information - All Lehigh University employees who have been identified by their Principal Investigator/Supervisor/Manager as having the potential to be exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials will be offered the Hepatitis B vaccine, at no cost to the employee. The vaccine will be offered within ten (10) working days of their initial assignment to work. The vaccine does not need to be offered if the employee has previously received the complete HBV vaccination series, or if antibody testing revealed that the employee is immune or the vaccine is contraindicated for medical reasons. The Hepatitis B vaccination series will be offered through the Lehigh University Student Health Center. The fee for the vaccination series will be billed to the employee's/student's Department. The Student Health Center will not administer the vaccine without a Department charge number and the Hepatitis B Immunization Form.
Supervisory Responsibilities Concerning Hepatitis B Vaccine - The Principal Investigator/Supervisor/Manager will ensure that his/her staff, with the potential for occupational exposure, is offered the HBV vaccine. These supervisory individuals are also responsible for identifying tasks/jobs which have an occupational exposure and informing the employee of this potential. The selection of individuals participating in the Hepatitis B vaccination program will be the responsibility of the Principal Investigator/Supervisor/Manager. Failure to offer the Hepatitis B vaccine and completion of the necessary paperwork (acceptance of declination of the Hepatitis B vaccine) will be in direct violation of the Federal OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen regulation and will jeopardize Lehigh University's compliance efforts.

Medical Surveillance

All Lehigh University personnel will be offered post-exposure follow-ups when they have experienced a significant exposure. A significant exposure shall be defined as the introduction of infectious materials into the skin such as through "needlesticks" or obvious skin cuts or abrasions and contact of potentially infectious materials with mucosal surfaces, such as those of the mouth, eyes or nose. Potentially infectious materials are defined as blood, body fluids, and other fluid visibly contaminated with blood, microbial stocks and cultures and all body fluids in situations where it is difficult to differentiate between body fluids, and materials or equipment that may reasonably come in contact with these materials.

Since most employees will not be able to differentiate between fluid types, all body fluids should be treated as potentially hazardous.

These follow-up examinations will be coordinated through the Lehigh University Student Health Center. The Student Health Center physician will determine if a post-exposure follow-up should be done at Lehigh University's Student Health Center or if a referral to St. Luke's Hospital Occupational Health Department is necessary. This will be addressed on a case-by-case basis and the decision to refer an employee to St. Luke's Hospital will be the decision of Lehigh University's Student Health Care physician.

Medical Recordkeeping and Confidentiality

Lehigh University has established and will maintain accurate records in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.20 for each employee with an occupational exposure. These records shall include:

The name and social security number of the employee.
A copy of the employee's Hepatitis B vaccination status including the dates of all Hepatitis B vaccinations and any medical records relative to the employee's ability to receive vaccination.

Confined Space

Specific to the RTMD facility, if a proposed project involves the need to enter a confined space, contact the lab foreman and and/or the lab safety director to schedule an evaluation by Randy Shebby of the EHS department.

University policies, processes and procedures on this topic can be found at the following links:

http://www.lehigh.edu/~inehs/policies/confinedpol.html

http://www.lehigh.edu/~inehs/confined.html

Training materials on this topic can be found at the following link:

http://www.lehigh.edu/~inehs/training/quizzes2.html

Purpose

To protect employees from those hazards of entry into and work within confined spaces and to ensure that all activities requiring entry into a confined space are conducted in a manner consistent with Lehigh University's Confined Space Entry Program and 29 CFR 1910.146.

Definition

Any enclosed space which is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform work, has limited or restricted means for entry and exit, is not designed for continuous employee occupancy, and has one or more of the following characteristics:

Contains or has a known potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere,
Has unfavorable natural ventilation,
Contains a material with the potential for engulfment of an entrant,
Has an internal configuration such that an entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated by an inwardly converging wall or a floor which slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross-section or,
Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard.

Policy

Deans, directors, department heads, chairpersons, and line supervisors shall assure compliance with the University's Confined Space Entry Program.
No person shall enter a confined space except in accordance with the University's Confined Space Entry Program.
An entry permit as specified in the written Confined Space Entry Program is required for entry into all confined spaces.
Departments, Centers and Institutes who send their employees into confined spaces shall designate by name or title the individual who may authorize entry into a confined space.
Departments, Centers and Institutes shall ensure that entrants, attendants and individuals authorizing or in charge of entry receive the appropriate training to perform their assigned duties.

Departments, Centers/Institutes shall assure that all employees who may enter a confined space in the course of their employment have been trained and are aware of the appropriate procedures and controls for entry and are aware that unauthorized entry into such spaces is forbidden. Employees shall be made aware that the consequences of unauthorized entry can be fatal, and that their senses are unable to detect and evaluate the severity of the atmospheric hazards.

Departments, Centers/Institutes, with employees who may enter a confined space, shall purchase or otherwise make available all equipment and supplies necessary for compliance with the Confined Space Entry Program.
Departments, Centers/Institutes shall maintain and calibrate equipment in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.
Attendants and employees and all other unauthorized persons shall not enter a confined space for rescue purposes.
The University will utilize the Bethlehem City Fire Department for confined space rescue services.
When Departments, Centers/Institutes arrange for outside contractors/employers who plan to send their employees into a confined space, the Departments, Centers and Institutes shall provide or otherwise make available the following to the contractor/employer:
1. All available information for the confined space,
2. Lehigh University's Confined Space Entry Program, safety rules and emergency procedures that the contractor needs to be aware of,
3. Information on any other known workplace hazards.
Under no condition, shall contractors be allowed to use Lehigh University's gas detection monitors.

Contractor Protection

Purpose

To provide University personnel and contractors with a clear and concise understanding of the safety requirements and responsibilities needed while working on Lehigh University property.

Policy

Responsibility

Prior to starting a project, each contractor is required to review the work site and identify hazards that may occur while performing the job.
The contractor shall ensure proper safety precautions are incorporated in accordance with OSHA's Code of Federal Regulation.
The contractor shall ensure individuals working at the site are trained and are aware of potential hazards. These individuals should be provided with proper safety equipment to prevent accidental injury in accordance with OSHA's Code of Federal Regulation.
The contractor shall ensure all personnel follow the guidelines of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Lehigh University's policies.
The contractor shall inform Lehigh University's project manager (Facilities Services) if an OSHA inspector is onsite to conduct an inspection. This notification must be made prior to allowing the inspector to begin the inspection.

Hazards Information

Prior to the start of the project, the contractor shall contact Facilities Services to ensure they have received pertinent information for the project including permits, floor plans, and utility information.
The contractor shall request MSDSs and shall ensure hazardous materials do not leave University property without the authorization of Environmental Health and Safety's Hazardous Materials Manager.

Personal Protective Equipment

The contractor is responsible for supplying all equipment necessary to conduct inspections, construction, and repairs on University property.
The contractor, overseeing the project, is responsible for ensuring sub-contractors use appropriate safety equipment.
It is the responsibility of the contractor to ensure all employees are trained in the proper use of work and safety equipment.

All contractors performing inspections, construction, and repairs at Lehigh University are to comply with the requirements of this policy. Failure to adhere to these requirements may result in an immediate shutdown of the work site and a breach of contract with Lehigh University.

Department Safety Committee

Purpose

To establish uniform administrative procedures and minimum requirements for activities related to Department Safety Committees.

Policy

Departments designated by the University Laboratory Safety Committee, Provost, or responsible Vice President shall establish Department Safety Committees. Department heads shall appoint Safety Committee members and designate a Safety Coordinator. The names of committee members and coordinators shall be forwarded to deans or vice presidents each year by July 31. Terms shall be at the discretion of the Department Head. Department Safety Committees shall meet as necessary at least two (2) times per year. Minutes shall be recorded. Minutes should include members attending, members absent, disposition of old business, and new business such as a review of accidents and incidents. A representative from each Department Safety Committee, where laboratories are involved, shall serve as a member of the University Laboratory Safety Committee. The University Laboratory Safety Committee's recommendations shall be forwarded to the Provost Council or the appropriate University administrator. Minimum Requirements for Department Safety Committees

Assure safety inspections and reinspections of operations and facilities, including shops, storage and storeroom areas, teaching and research laboratories, and offices are conducted. Inspections and reinspections should be conducted at least once each semester (fall, spring) in academic departments and non-academic departments.
Plan and implement corrective action for safety deficiencies identified.
Advise and seek guidance from the Department Head in matters pertaining to safety.
Recommend and/or develop safe practices and procedures for department activities.
Assist fellow employees and students to comply with safety and health rules.
Review accident reports and implement and/or recommend corrective action to departmental management.
Address the safety concerns of fellow department members.
Perform other safety related functions as may be assigned by the department head.

Committee chairpersons may develop alternative methods to address unusual operational circumstances. Other areas in which Department Safety Committees can be effective include safety training, accident investigations, educational and research protocol reviews, and related health and safety activities.

Eye Protection for Laboratories

Purpose

To establish a University Eye Protection Policy.

Policy

Deans, directors, department heads, principal investigators, laboratory instructors, and line supervisors shall assure compliance with the University Eye Protection Policy.
Each department, center, institute, division or unit shall provide or otherwise make available to each individual entering an eye protection area and laboratory, personal eye protection devices commensurate with the activity and hazard involved.
Eye Protection Areas
Eye protection shall be worn in all laboratories. Eye protection shall be utilized in University facilities in which activities take place involving:
1. Machines or operations that present the hazard of flying objects, glare, liquids, injurious radiation, or a combination of these hazards.
2. Hot molten metals;
3. Milling, sawing, turning, shaping, cutting, grinding, or stamping of any solid material;
4. Heat treating, tampering, or kiln firing of any metal or other material;
5. Gas or electric arc welding;
6. Repair or servicing of any vehicle or mechanical equipment;
7. Corrosive, toxic, or explosive material;
8. UV lights and lasers unless exempted;
9. Handling any potentially infectious or biohazardous material such as blood or other biological specimens.
10. Custodial or other service activity potentially hazardous to the eye.
Each person shall wear eye protection devices when entering, participating in, observing, or performing any function in connection with any course or activity taking place in eye protection areas as defined above.
Persons covered include, without limitation, faculty, staff, students, other employees, and visitors.
Chemical goggles shall be utilized when there is a liquid splash, spray, or mist hazard.
Persons wearing standard eyewear or contact lenses shall cover that eyewear with chemical goggles, impact goggles, or face shields depending on the activity and hazard involved.
The use of contact lenses in eye protection areas is discouraged.
Individuals responsible for assuring compliance with the University Eye Protection Policy shall conduct regular orientation meetings at least annually to explain the Eye Protection Policy and assign responsibilities for its implementation. Records of training sessions shall be maintained.
Individuals responsible for assuring compliance with the University Eye Protection Policy shall correct infractions immediately upon detection.

Fall Protection

University policies, procedures and processes regarding this topic can be found at the following link:

http://www.lehigh.edu/~inehs/policies/fallpol.html

For training materials on this topic please see the following link:

http://www.lehigh.edu/~inehs/training/quizzes2.html

Specific to the RTMD facility fall protection equipment must be used for all activities performed above six (6) feet where enclosed railings are not available (see Lehigh University fall protection policy). Obtain fall protection equipment and training on proper use from the lab foreman.

Purpose

To provide guidelines for maximum protection for employees against falls from elevations.

Policy

Responsibility

Policy review and audit functions shall be provided by Environmental Health and Safety.
Departments, Centers/Institutes are responsible for supporting and enforcing this policy to ensure compliance by all employees.
Departments, Centers/Institutes shall make responsible use of primary fall protection systems such as scaffolds, aerial lifts, personnel hoists, etc. These systems shall be equipped with complete walking/working surfaces free of floor openings, standard guard rails, and a safe means of access.

Safety Instruction

Safety instruction shall be given to each employee assigned work in elevated areas. Supervisors shall analyze all elevated tasks as to fall protection needs and to ensure adequate fall protection systems are provided. After analyzing the tasks, supervisors shall instruct employees in the specific fall protection measures to be used.

Procedures

A fall restraint system with continuous attachment shall be used by employees in work areas not protected by guard rails, where there is a danger of employees falling from a distance of six feet or greater.
The primary fall restraint device shall be a Class III body harness. The lanyard anchorage point must be such that the maximum fall distance is four feet or six feet if the lanyard is used in conjunction with an ANSI approved shock absorber. Shock-absorbing lanyards together with a Class III body harness shall meet a force limit of 1800 pounds.
Body belts are not to be considered a means of fall protection and are prohibited for use at Lehigh University.
Employees shall be trained in the correct use of fall restraint devices.
Approved safety lanyards shall be a minimum of 1/2 inch thick nylon or equivalent, with a maximum length to provide for a fall of no greater than 6 feet. Lanyards will have double locking snap hooks. Minimum breaking strength requirement for lanyards is 5,400 pounds.
If a lanyard made of synthetic fibers is subjected to hot surfaces, an insulated cover must be used for protection. Lanyards must be protected against sharp surfaces.
Fall restraint devices subjected to impact loading shall be removed from service and destroyed.
When employees are working off portable ladders and the work requires them to be outside the "confines of the ladder", a fall restraint system must be used.
Employees engaged in roofing work on low-pitched roofs shall be protected from falling by using one of the following systems:
1. A Motion-Stopping Safety system (MSS system).
2. A Warning Line System erected not less than six feet from roof edges which are not protected by other means of fall protection. If employees are working outside the warning line system, an MSS system or safety monitoring system must be used.
3. A Safety Monitoring System on roofs fifty feet or less in width where mechanical equipment is not being used or stored.
Employees engaged in roof work must be trained in the erection and use of the MSS system, the Warning Line and Safety Monitoring Systems, and job procedures required for roof work. *Exception - when employees are on roofs only to inspect, investigate, or estimate roof level conditions, they are exempt from requirement #9 above.
Employees engaged in work on low-pitched roofs, other than roofing and more than ten feet from the edge, do not need to have a fall restraint system.
Employees engaged in work on steep roofs may use either scaffolding or a crawling board (chicken ladder). The crawling board must be at least 10 inches wide and one inch thick, having cleats 1 x 1 1/2 inches. The cleats must be equal in length to the width of the board and spaced at equal intervals not to exceed 24 inches. Nails must be driven through and clinched on the underside. The crawling board must extend from the ridge pole to the eaves. Also, a firmly fastened lifeline of at least 3/4 inch diameter rope, or equivalent, must be strung beside each crawling board for a handhold. Lifelines must be secured above the point of operation to an anchorage or structural member capable of supporting a minimum dead weight of 5,400 pounds.
Personnel working from or riding in any aerial device shall wear a fall restraint system with the lanyard attached to the boom or basket.

Inspection

Fall restraint devices shall be visually inspected for defects prior to use.
Fall restraint devices shall be inspected when new and every six months thereafter. Inspect for cuts, burns, excessive wear, loose splices, defective hardware, and distorted thimbles. The date of each inspection shall be recorded on an inspection tag and permanently attached to the fall restraint device.

Definitions

CLASS I BODY BELT: A device worn around the waist to which a lanyard or lifeline grabbing device is attached. Body belts are not allowed for use at Lehigh University.

CLASS III BODY HARNESS: A harness system designed to spread shock load over the shoulders, thighs and seat area.

LANYARD: Flexible line that secures the wearer of a harness to a vertical or horizontal lifeline of a fixed anchorage.

FIXED ANCHORAGE: Secured point of attachment and not part of the work surface.

A MOTION-STOPPING-SAFETY (MSS) SYSTEM: System providing fall protection by using the following equipment singly or in combination: guardrail; scaffolds, or platforms with guardrail; safety nets; and body belt/harness systems.

A WARNING LINE SYSTEM: A temporary rope, wire, or chain and supporting stanchion erected not less than six feet from the edge of a roof and flagged at no more than six foot intervals with high visibility material. Minimum tensile strength of the rope, wire or chain must be 500 pounds.

SAFETY MONITORING SYSTEM: A system in which a competent person monitors the safety of all employees in a roofing crew and warns them when it appears to the monitor that they are unaware of the hazard or are acting in an unsafe manner. The competent person must be on the same roof and within visual sight and voice communication of the other employees.

LOW-PITCHED ROOF: A roof having a slope less than or equal to four in twelve.

WORKING WITHIN CONFINES OF A LADDER: Defined as an employee maintaining their mind-body area within the ladder side rails.

AN ANCHORAGE POINT: Must be capable of resisting twice the force created by the fall of a 250 lb. person a distance of six feet and stopped by a lanyard with a built-in shock absorbing device.

A LIFELINE: A component consisting of a flexible line for connection to anchorages either vertically (vertical lifeline) or horizontally (horizontal lifeline).

Compressed Gases

Training materials for the University Safety policies and processes on this topic can be found at the following link:

http://www.lehigh.edu/~inehs/training/quizzes2.html

Specific to the RTMD facility all compressed gas containers are stored in the south corner of the building with flammable oxidizing gasses separated by a steel plate reinforced barrier.

Valves are always to be protected by valve caps. Cylinders are to be secured to the wall while in storage or to the transport cart or the wall when in use. See the lab foreman for permission to use, move or access compressed gas containers. Exchanging cylinders is only to be done by authorized laboratory personnel. See the lab foreman if you need to have a gas cylinder exchanged.

Flammables Storage

The RTMD facility makes limited use of flammable liquids and does not provide facilities for storage of large quantities of these materials. Requirements for handling and storage of flammable liquids are provided below. If there any requirements for storing large quantities of flammable liquids contact the lab foreman so that arrangements can be made to do so properly.

REQUIREMENTS FOR STORAGE AND HANDLING OF FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS

CLASS	IA	IB	IC	II
Flash point	less than 73F	less than 73F	73 - 100 F	100 - 140F
Boiling point	less than 100F	greater than 100F
Flammability Potential	Extremely High	Very High	High	Moderate
EXAMPLES OF COMMONLY USED MATERIALS	acetaldehyde benzoyl peroxide ethyl ether pentane methyl formate	acetone ethanol butylamine gasoline methanol isopropanol	amyl acetate butanol chlorobenzene turpentine xylene	formaldehyde hydrazine kerosene
NFPA 704 HAZARD RATINGS	4	4	3	2
MAXIMUM CONTAINER SIZE Glass	1 pint (500 ml)	1 quart ( 1 liter)	1 gallon ( 4 liters)	1 gallon (4 liters)
Metal or approved plastic	1 gallon	5 gallons	5 gallons	5 gallons
Safety cans	2 gallons	2 gallons	2 gallons	2 gallons
Metal drums (DOT)	N/A	5 gallons	5 gallons	60 gallons

NFPA is the acronym for the National Fire Protection Association. NFPA 704, Standard System for the Identification of the Fire Hazards of Materials, provides planning guidance to fire departments for safe tactical procedures in emergency operations, and gives on-the-spot information to safeguard the lives of fire fighting personnel and the others who may be exposed. The Hazard Identification System is not intended to identify the nonemergency health hazards of chemicals.

STORAGE REQUIREMENTS 1. Flammable and/or combustible liquids stored in the open in a laboratory work area or inside any building shall be kept to the minimum necessary for the work being done.

2. Maximum quantity permitted in labs and other areas of use is limited to a total of 10 gallons, all classifications combined, outside of a flammable storage cabinet or approved flammable storage room. Please refer to the table above.

3. Quantities stored in flammable storage cabinets shall be limited to 60 gallons of class I or II liquids and the total of all liquids shall not exceed 120 gallons. Please refer to the table above for maximum allowable container size for each class. Not more than three cabinets shall be located in the same room.

1. Quantities exceeding the above must be stored in an approved flammable storage room meeting the requirements of the Uniform Building and Fire Codes.

2. Flammable and combustible liquids shall not be stored near exit doorways, stairways, in exit corridors, or in a location that would impede egress from the building.

3. Flammable aerosols and unstable liquids shall be treated as class I-A liquids. Please refer to the table above.

4. Materials which will react with water or other liquids to produce a hazard shall be segregated from flammable and/or combustible liquids.

HANDLING AND DISPENSING 1 Class I liquids shall not be transferred from one vessel to another in any exit passageway. 2 Transfer of flammable liquids from 5 gallon containers (or less) to smaller containers shall be done in a laboratory fume hood or in an approved flammable liquid storage room.

Fork Lifts

University policy can be found at the following link: http://www.lehigh.edu/~inehs/forklift.html

Operation of forklifts and other powered industrial trucks is restricted to trained personnel who have completed the required training. See the lab foreman if training is required. The training program consists of the following elements and materials: a. Operating instructions, warnings and precautions for type of truck b. Similarities and differences to automobiles c. Control and instrumentation location and use d. Engine or motor operation e. Steering and maneuvering f. Visibility g. Fork and attachment limitations and use h. Vehicle capacity i. Vehicle stability j. Vehicle inspection and maintenance k. Refueling or charging batteries l. Operating limitations m. Other operating instructions, warnings or precautions listed in the operator’s manual

Workplace Related Topics

a. Surface conditions where truck is used b. Load composition and stability c. Load stacking, unstacking and transport d. Pedestrian traffic e. Narrow aisle and restricted area operation f. Operation in hazardous locations g. Ramp and sloped surface operation h. Unique or potentially hazardous conditions i. Operating the vehicle in closed environments

Note: Because powered industrial trucks are manufactured by different companies with various models available, the training must be specific to the operating characteristics of the specific powered industrial truck the employee will be using. The following rules apply to all use of forklifts and other Powered Industrial Trucks ( PITs) at the Lab:

• Do not operate any forklift or PIT unless you have operator training.

• Do not operate any forklift or PIT until a daily inspection has been performed.

• Estimate the weight of the rated load to assure that you do not exceed the rated load capacity of PITs.

• Always ensure the load is against the backrest.

• Follow all safety rules regarding speed, parking, loading, unloading, and moving loads.

Operators should use extreme caution when operating on ramps, grades, or inclines.

• Always drive an unloaded forklift with the forks on the downhill side. Drive down forward and back up.

• Never turn a forklift sideways on a ramp.

• Check the floor loading limit before a PIT enters an area. The floor must safely support the forklift, the load, and all materials that are already in the area.

• Drive material-moving equipment forward going up a ramp and backward going down a ramp. Note: Pallet jacks should not be used on ramps, unless the load is securely strapped to the pallet and the pallet is strapped to the pallet jack platform.

• Never allow traffic or personnel to pass under a raised load, nor allow a load to pass over personnel or traffic.

• Do not allow passengers to be carried on any PIT unless it is specifically equipped by the manufacturer to carry passengers.

• Never leave an elevated load unattended. Lower the forks to the floor, set the brake, and turn off the PIT before leaving the PIT unattended.

• Keep traffic lanes and loading areas clear and appropriately marked.

• Store materials in work rooms or designated storage areas only. Do not use hallways, fan lofts, or boiler and equipment rooms as storage areas.

Heavy Equipment

The RTMD facility employs the use of a cherry picker. Guidelines for it’s safe operation are provided below. Training for operation of the cherry picker is provided on an as-needed basis. See the lab foreman if training is required.

The following lab personnel are certified to operate the lab’s cherry picker:

1) John Hoffner 2) Todd Anthony 3) Roger Moyer 4) Dave Altemus 5) Adam Kline 6) Joe Cheszar Operating Conditions The cherry picker must be operated under the following conditions: • Two operators must be present at all times. One operator must be present on the work platform and the other stationed on the ground to assist in the operation and perform any emergency duties. • All units must be inspected prior to each shift's use and must not be operated if found to be unsafe. • All personnel occupying the work platform must wear an approved safety harness and lanyard properly attached to the equipment. • Unless recommended for such use by the manufacturer, no extensible boom work platforms are to be used on an inclined surface. No unit may be used on an incline over 5% or in winds over 25 mph. • All units must have upper and lower control devices.

Identification The following must be displayed on all work platforms in a permanent manner: • Special warnings, cautions, or restrictions necessary for safe operation. • Make, model, and manufacturer's name and address. • Rated work load capacity. • Maximum platform height. • Instructions to study operating manual. • Chart, schematic, or scale showing capacities of all combinations in their operating positions and cautions or restrictions, or both, regarding operation of all alternate configurations or combinations of alternate configurations.

Inspections • Daily Inspection: All units must be inspected prior to each shift's use. Inspections must include all items recommended by the manufacturer's manual. • Preventive Maintenance: All units must receive preventive maintenance at intervals no longer than recommended in the manufacturer's manual.

Language Barrier

In the event of any communications problems due to language that may occur regarding any safety related activities, procedures or plans please contact the lab foreman, the lab safety director or the NEES Operations Manager. It is imperative that there be no miscommunication where safety is involved. If any part of this safety plan or any safety related communication is unclear in any way please contact one of these personnel for clarification. Do not proceed in any activity if there is any doubt concerning the understanding of any safety plan or procedure.

Lifting Manual

Manual material handling involves lifting, lowering, and carrying objects. If ergonomics principles are ignored, stresses on the muscles, joints, and disks in the back can eventually lead to or aggravate a work related musculoskeletal disorder (WRMSD). For objects that are too heavy or bulky for safe manual handling by employees, mechanical lifting devices should always be used for lifting and moving.

Best Practices for Lifting 1. Assess the situation. • How far will you have to carry the load? Is the path clear? • Once the load is lifted, will it block your view? • Can the load be broken down into smaller parts? • Should you wear gloves to get a better grip?

2. Size up the load. • Test the weight by lifting or sliding one corner. If it is too heavy or awkward, STOP! • Can you use a mechanical lift or hand truck? • Can you lift the load safely, or is it a two- or more person lift? If you doubt you can lift the load safely, ask for help.

3. Use good lifting techniques. • Get close to the load with your feet shoulder-width apart. • Get a good handhold, and pull the load close to you • Bend at your knees and hips, keep the inward curve in your back, and lift with your legs. • If you need to lean forward, support your upper body weight with one hand.

Lifting Mechanical

The University policies and processes on this topic can be found at the following links:

http://www.lehigh.edu/~inehs/policies/cranepol.html

http://www.lehigh.edu/~inehs/crane.html

The following RTMD personnel are certified to use the facility overhead cranes:

1) John Hoffner 2) Todd Anthony 3 Roger Moyer 4) Dave Altemus 5) Adam Kline 6) Joe Cheszar

General Requirements for Crane Operation The following rules apply to all use of cranes and hoists at the NEES@Lehigh RTMD facility. Daily Inspection. Each crane or hoist must be inspected before use, during any given work shift. Personal Protective Equipment. All personnel participating in lifts involving cranes or hoists must wear ANSI-approved safety shoes. All personnel operating a crane or hoist, participating in the lift or within 15 feet of the vertical plane of the load, where the under carriage of the bridge is more than 12 feet from the ground, must wear ANSI-approved hard hats. Post or barricade the area as needed. Sturdy work gloves must be worn when handling wire rope or loads with rough or sharp edges or splinters. Suspended Loads. Follow these rules for suspended loads: • Do not allow loads moved with any material-handling equipment to pass over any personnel. • Select the load path to eliminate the possibility of injury to employees should the material-handling equipment fail. • Do not work on suspended loads. Rest the load on adequate cribbing if it needs to be worked on. • Never leave a suspended load unattended. Lower it to the floor or the working surface, or onto cribbing, and secure the material-handling equipment before leaving the load unattended.

Also see Crane Safety section.

Machine Guarding

It is the responsibility of the safety director and lab foremen to ensure that machine tool and machine equipment guarding is adequate. Never remove factory-installed guards unless they are designed to be removed for a particular operation, and equivalent means of protection are used (e.g., table saw guards are removed for fence cuts; when appropriate, push sticks are used).

Guard all reasonably accessible points of operation, pinch and nip points, rotating parts, and flying chip or spark hazards that may expose an employee to injury. In general, guarding prevents inadvertent contact with these hazards. Guarding may be achieved by one or more methods, such as isolation, barriers, shields, devices, or distance.

While in operation, the NEES@Lehigh’s Servotest actuators should be given a safe distance of at least 15 ft. and all appropriate PPE should be used. These actuators are capable of providing a force of up to 500 Kips and moving at velocities of up to 1M/s.

< NEES@Lehigh follows federal OSHA standards for machine guarding, which address specific requirements for many types of machine tools, machine equipment, and power tools.

Powered Platforms and Vehicle-Mounted Work Platforms

The RTMD facility employs the use of a cherry picker. See the Heavy equipment section for safety plan information for this topic.

Power Tools, Fixed and Portable

Inspection and Maintenance. Machine tools, machine equipment, and power tools should be routinely inspected to verify that they are not damaged, that the controls function as designed, and that all guarding and shields are securely installed and adjustable. Servicing, including cleaning, lubrication, preventive maintenance, and adjustment of machine equipment and machine tools can help prevent performance and safety problems. Only qualified technicians or qualified vendors are permitted to service equipment. Service equipment only when all electrical, hydraulic, compressed air, and stored energy sources are secured in accordance with the requirements of the lab lockout/tagout rules.

General Safety Rules for Use/Maintenance of Power Tools, Machine Tools and Machine Equipment. The following rules apply to the use and/or maintenance of machine tools and machine equipment, regardless of their location. a. Only qualified personnel who have necessary skills, through experience and/or training, may operate or maintain machine tools or machine equipment. See lab foreman for training on any of the lab’s power tools that you may be required to use. b. Equip all machine tools, power tools, and machine equipment with all required guarding, and prohibit (lock and tag) their operation unless such guarding is in place and fully functional. All guarding should be inspected prior to tool use to ensure that it is properly attached and functioning properly. c. Operate/maintain machine tools, and machine equipment in accordance with the manufacturer’s requirements, and the requirements of this section. d. Anchor and electrically wire all machinery and machine equipment designed by the manufacturer to be stationary. Only qualified electricians are permitted to install and remove wiring for hardwired shop machinery and machine equipment. Machine tools and machine equipment designed to be electrically connected by cord and plug are not subject to this requirement. e. Permit only qualified personnel or vendors to repair or otherwise service machine tools or equipment. f. Only operate machine tools when a second person is within sight or earshot of the tool user. This is an essential requirement in the case of personnel who get caught in machinery or suffer traumatic injuries. The second person need not be qualified to operate the equipment but does need to know how to turn off the equipment and how to call for emergency assistance. This second person must also agree ahead of time to perform such duties should the need arise. Establish a check-in and check-out protocol. g. Ensure that all machine and tool guards are installed in place, in good working order, properly adjusted, and most importantly, used for their intended purpose. This includes the use of chip shields for any drilling or cutting operations. h. Wear (at a minimum) safety glasses with side shields while in the vicinity of operating machine tools. This applies both to workers and to visitors. Wear face shields or goggles as required by work authorization for specific operations. i. Wear substantial closed-toe footwear of sturdy construction, made of leather or other heavy, solvent-resistant material. Wear approved safety shoes when there is a risk of crushing or piercing. Prohibit personnel, including visitors, from entering the work area with sandals or open-toed shoes. j. Wear appropriate clothing. k. Wear hearing protection and/or respiratory protection as required by work authorization for operations that generate harmful noise, or airborne emissions. Contact the Industrial Hygiene Group for assistance in determining which operations require such protection. l. Do not use audio equipment that obstructs the ear canal (e.g., iPods) or cell phone Bluetooth headsets while operating machine or power tools. Such devices distract the operator and can prevent him or her from hearing sounds that could provide warning of an unusual operating condition or someone calling out for assistance. m. Prohibit personnel under the age of 18 from operating any machine or power tools. n. Tie back or otherwise secure long hair; cuff or roll up long sleeves, and remove or tape down loose jewelry when working with rotating machinery. o. Do not prepare or consume food or beverages in areas where hazardous materials (including oils, solvents, chemicals, cuttings, filings, and sawdust) are handled or generated. Designate a food and drink preparation/consumption area, if necessary, in an area that is kept free of hazardous materials at all times. p. Where applicable, secure and clamp down work pieces in work-holding devices and machines, preventing the work from being lifted or dislodged. q. Use appropriate push sticks or other approved methods as indicated in the work authorization to keep hands and fingers well away from moving or rotating cutters, blades, and other points of operation. r. Turn off the machine before using a brush or wooden dowel (not hands!) to remove chips from the machining area. Chips are not only very sharp but can be hot and can snag. s. Maintain good housekeeping. Work is not complete until cleanup is done. Debris, coolants, and lubricants put workers at risk of cuts or slipping, and can be a skin irritant. Clean up the work area with a broom, brush, and dustpan, and clean up all spills with absorbents and/or degreasers. Avoid using compressed air to blow chips off machinery. Not only is this a hazard to the eyes, it forces material into the precision inner workings of the machine and often distributes coolant, oil, and chips over a larger area. Clean up the machine and sweep the floor area of any remaining chips.

Remote Operations

NEES@Lehigh activities do not normally require operations at any remote locations. The ATLSS center does engage in activities at remote locations. In the event that operations at a remote location may be required contact the ATLSS Safety Director, Frank Stokes and Randy Shebby form the university EHS department. Randy will perform a site assessment of the remote location being contemplated and provide a site specific safety plan for personnel working at that remote location.

Respirators

University policy on the use of respirators can be found at the following links:

http://www.lehigh.edu/~inehs/policies/respiratorypol.html

http://www.lehigh.edu/~inehs/respiratory.html

Scaffolding

Prior to using any scaffold system in the RTMD facility use the following checklist to evaluate the safety of the scaffold. Any problems noted should be brought to the attention of the lab foreman for immediate remedial action. Do not use any scaffold system if there is any doubt as to the safeness of the system.

Scaffolding Safety Checklist

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1) Is the scaffold being erected under the direction of a competent person?

2) Is the footing sound and rigid - not set on soft ground, frozen ground (that could melt), or resting on blocks?

3) Has the erection site been evaluated for hazards such as earth fills, ditches, debris, underground electric wires, unguarded openings, or conditions created by other trades?

4) Are wheels / castors locked?

5) Is the scaffold able to hold four times its maximum intended load?

6) Are guardrails and toeboards in place on all open sides?

7) Is the platform complete front to back and side to side (fully planked or decked, with no gaps greater than 1 inch)? 8) Is the lumber free of cracks, splits, knots, or damage?

9) Is the scaffold level?

10) Have all compounds been inspected for defects such as broken welds, corroded members, and missing locks, bent or dented tubes?

11) Are all braces, bearer, and clamps secured all sections pinned or appropriately secured?

12) Is there a safe way to get on and off the scaffold, such as a ladder (without climbing on crossbraces)? 13) Is the front of the scaffold within 14 inches of the work?

14) Does the scaffold meet electrical safety clearance distances?

15) Is the scaffold under 125 feet in height?

16) Is the "X" bracing installed on the ends of the scaffold and every third set of post horizontally and every fourth vertical runner?

17) Are severe weather provisions in place i.e. during high winds, rain, snow, or bad weather?

18) Have all planks been properly secured to the scaffold structure to prevent them blowing off in the event of high winds?

19) Where persons work under scaffold, is a 1/2 inch mesh screen provided between toeboard and guard rail or has the area below the scaffold been cordoned off?

20 Are tag lines available for items to be loaded on to scaffold?

21 When employees are working on suspended scaffolds, are lifelines firmly anchored to an overhead structure and not to the scaffold? 22 Is the scaffold over 10 feet high, (if yes) is personal fall protection available, or are guardrails in place? 23 Are guardrails 38 inches high?

24 Are toeboards in place and at least 4 inches high?

25 Are midrails or equivalent in place?

26 Does the scaffold have a height to base ratio of at least 4:1?

Temperature Stress

The RTMD Laboratory is climate controlled and as such any hazards due to heat stress are greatly reduced. Conditions that can lead to temperature stress should be understood and avoided.

Hot conditions put your body under a lot of stress. Physical activity stresses the body even more. When heat is combined with physical activity, loss of fluids, fatigue, and other conditions can lead to a number of heat-related illnesses and injuries. Death is even possible.

Six main factors are involved in causing heat stress:

1) temperature

2) humidity

3) movement of air

4) radiant temperature of the surroundings

5) clothing

6) physical activity

Adjusting to these factors and/or controlling them reduce the chance of heat stress. Engineering controls can be implemented to reduce the possibility of heat stress. These include:

1) control the heat source through use of insulation and reflective barriers

2) exhaust hot air or steam away from the work area

3) use of air-conditioning

4) use of air-conditioned rest areas

5) use of fans to circulate the air

6) reduce the physical demands of the work by using mechanical equipment

Administrative controls are also effective to prevent heat stress injuries. These include:

1) increase the frequency and duration of rest breaks

2) schedule tasks to avoid heavy physical activity during the hottest parts of the day

3) provide cool drinking water or an electrolyte-replacement drink and encourage its consumption

4) use additional workers for the job or slow down the pace of the work

5) make sure everyone understands the signs and symptoms of heat stress

Common-sense precautions, such as dressing properly for the job, include:

1) wear lightweight clothing which allows moisture to evaporate quickly

2) wear reflective clothing or cooling suits for jobs which require them

3) use extra caution if you are required to wear clothing on the job which limits evaporation--you could succumb to heat stress much more quickly

The major heat stress injuries and illnesses are described here:

Heat Rash is caused by a hot, humid environment and plugged sweat glands. It is a bumpy red rash which itches severely. It is not life-threatening but is very annoying. Dry clothes that help sweat evaporate will reduce the chance of heat rash. Washing regularly and keeping the skin clean and dry will help prevent heat rash.

Heat Cramps are painful muscle cramps caused by a loss of body salt through excessive sweating. To help prevent heat cramps, drink plenty of non-alcoholic, caffeine-free fluids while working in a hot environment. Check with your doctor about the use of salt tablets. They may be recommended in some cases. Anyone suffering from heat cramps should be watched carefully for signs of more serious heat stress. If the cramps persist or other symptoms develop, seek medical attention immediately. Heat Syncope (pronounced "sin-co-pay") is sudden fainting caused by a reduced blood flow to the head. The victim's skin will be cool and moist and their pulse will be weak. Immediate medical attention is needed in the event of syncope.

Heat Exhaustion results from inadequate salt and water intake and is a sign the body's cooling system is not working properly. The victim will sweat heavily, their skin will be cool and moist, their pulse weak, and they will seem tired, confused, clumsy, irritable or upset, they may breathe rapidly--even pant--and their vision may be blurred. The victim may strongly argue that they are okay even with these obvious symptoms. If you suspect heat exhaustion, don't let the victim talk you out of seeking immediate medical attention. The heat exhaustion will affect their ability to exercise good judgment. Until medical help arrives, try to cool the victim and offer sips of cool water as long as the victim is conscious. Immediate medical attention is required. Heat exhaustion can quickly lead to heat stroke.

Heat Stroke is the deadliest of all heat stress conditions. It occurs when the body's cooling mechanism has shut down after extreme loss of salt and fluids. The body temperature will rise, the victim's skin is hot, red, and dry, their pulse fast, and they may complain of headache or dizziness. They will probably be weak, confused, and upset. Later stages of heat stroke cause a loss of consciousness and may lead to convulsions. In the event of heat stroke, seek immediate medical attention. Until help arrives, try to cool the victim and offer sips of cool water if the victim is conscious.

Recognizing the symptoms of heat stress is very important, particularly since the victim may not realize what is happening. If you work alone in a hot environment, develop a "buddy system" so someone will check in on you periodically to look for signs of heat stress.

Vehicle Exposure

University policies and procedures regarding use of University vehicles or use of personal vehicles for business purposes can be found at the following link:

http://www.lehigh.edu/~inubs/parking/policy.shtml

In general it is preferred that university vehicles be used for university business whenever possible.

Hearing Conservation

Purpose

The purpose of this policy and Lehigh University's Hearing Conservation Program is to prevent occupational noise exposures which could lead to noise-induced hearing loss and to comply with existing federal occupational noise exposure regulations.

Policy

The University will strive to maintain all occupational noise exposures below 85 decibels (dBA) for an 8-hour time-weighted average (8-hour TWA). Noise levels will be measured at operations where information indicates that employee exposures may equal or exceed an 8-hour TWA of 85 dBA. Lehigh University's Hearing Conservation Program will apply to all employees and operations where employee exposures have been found to exceed an 8-hour TWA of 85 decibels or greater.

High noise areas (areas where employee exposures are equal to or exceed an 8-hour TWA of 90 dBA) will be evaluated for engineering controls. Decisions concerning the implementation of engineering controls will be made after a thorough review of all the available options.

All new facilities and equipment should be reviewed for potential noise hazards at the design stage. Equipment specifications should include a request for noise emission data and noise control data. Hearing protectors will be made available to all employees exposed to an 8-hour TWA of 85 dBA or greater at no cost to the employee. Departments, Centers/Institutes shall bear the cost of hearing protectors for their employees.

Hearing protective devices must be used when other measures have failed to reduce noise exposures to safe levels (levels below 90 dBA as an 8-hour TWA) or in the interim when engineering controls are in the process of installation.

Annual audiometric testing will be provided to all employees who are exposed to noise levels equal to or greater 85 dBA for an 8-hour TWA. The cost for audiograms will be borne by the affected employee's department and will be provided at no cost to the employee. Departments, Centers/Institutes shall ensure that audiometric examinations are also given within thirty days of termination for their employees exposed to noise at or above 85 decibels for an 8-hour TWA.

Departments, Centers/Institutes shall ensure that all of their employees exposed to noise equal to or greater than 85 dBA for an 8-hour TWA attend annual hearing conservation training.

Employees exposed to noise levels equal to or greater than 85 dBA for an 8-hour TWA will be notified of his/her monitoring results in writing. Noise exposure records will be maintained by Environmental and Safety (EH&S) for the duration of the affected employee's employment plus thirty years.

Departments affected by Lehigh University's Hearing Conservation Program shall ensure compliance with the program according to the following itemized list of responsibilities:

Environmental Health and Safety

Set up hearing conservation program specifications.
Develop the noise sampling strategy.
Conduct the initial monitoring to identify hearing conservation and high noise areas.
Conduct employee monitoring for employees exposed to noise levels greater than or equal to 85 dBA for an eight-hour time-weighted average.
Identify high noise and hearing conservation areas.
Inform the Departments, Centers/Institutes as to the locations of high noise and hearing conservation areas.
Conduct or coordinate monitoring in high noise areas for the purpose of investigating engineering controls and verifying the effectiveness of engineering controls.
Conduct monitoring following changes in procedures and/or processes which may significantly change noise exposures.
Provide employee training and/or training resources.
Provide training and/or training resources for Departments to train employees in the proper fitting, care, and cleaning of hearing protection devices and aural hygiene.
Audit the audiotromic testing program.
Maintain exposure records in compliance with OSHA Standards.
Periodically audit the use of hearing protection.
Assist in the development of engineering controls.

Departments, Centers and Institutes

Ensure that Departments, Centers/Institutes employees who have noise exposures of 85 dBA or greater as an 8-hour TWA attend training provided by Environmental Health and Safety or equivalent at least annually.
Require workers who have a standard threshold shifts to use hearing protection in hearing conservation areas.
Require all workers to use hearing protection in high noise areas.
Send workers for annual audiometric testing on schedule.
Assist in the development of engineering controls.
Inform the employees when hearing protection is mandatory.
Require the employees to use the personal protective and noise control equipment which is provided for them.
Purchase and issue hearing protective devices.
Inform Environmental Health and Safety when changes in personnel, procedures and/or processes may significantly change noise exposures.
Erect signs to delineate hearing conservation areas and high noise areas.

Lockout/Tagout, the Control of Hazardous Energy Sources

University policies and procedures can be found at the following link:

http://www.lehigh.edu/~inehs/policies/lockoutpol.html

Training Information on this topic can be found at the University Environmental Health and Safety Organization webpage:

http://www.lehigh.edu/~inehs/quizzes.html

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to prevent injuries to employees from the unexpected energizing, start-up, or release of stored energy from machines, equipment, or processes when such employees are engaged in activities where they are at risk from these hazardous sources. This policy requires departments, centers/institutes to establish and implement procedures for affixing the appropriate lockout/tagout devices to energy isolating devices, and to otherwise disable machines, equipment, or processes to prevent unexpected energizing, start-up, or the release of stored energy.

Policy

Each department, center/institute shall ensure that before an employee performs any activities where the unexpected energizing, start-up or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, all potentially hazardous energy sources shall be isolated, locked/tagged out, or otherwise disabled in accordance with the established departmental procedures and the University's Lockout/Tagout Program.

Each department, center/institute has the responsibility to ensure workers who perform maintenance on University equipment be trained on lockout/tagout. Retraining is to be conducted with the addition of new equipment, new personnel, or if work environments change.

This policy applies to the control of energy sources during servicing, installation, removal, or maintenance of machines or equipment.

This policy does not apply to the following:

Work on plug and cord type electrical equipment, for which exposure to the hazards of unexpected energizing, start-up, or the release of stored energy of the equipment is effectively controlled by the unplugging of the equipment from the energy sources and by the plug being under the exclusive control of the employee performing the servicing or maintenance.
Hot Tap operations involving transmission and distribution systems for substances such as gas, steam, water, or petroleum products when they are performed on pressurized pipelines, provided that the department, center/institute demonstrates that (1) continuity of service is essential; (2) shutdown of the system is impractical; and (3) documented procedures and special equipment are implemented which will provide proven effective protection for employees.
Normal production operations are not covered by this policy except under the following circumstances: An employee is required to remove or bypass a guard or other safety device; or
1. An employee is required to place any part of his or her body into an area on a machine or piece of equipment where work is actually performed upon the materials being processed (point of operation) or where an associated danger zone exists during a machine operating cycle.
2. Servicing or maintenance which takes place during normal production operations, such as lubricating, cleaning, and making minor adjustments and simple tool changes, are not covered by this policy. If it is necessary to perform such servicing or maintenance with the machine or equipment energized, alternative measures, which the department can demonstrate will provide effective protection, must be used.

Laboratory Safety Plan

Your Health and Safety

The purpose of this safety plan is to provide safety rules and guidelines to ensure safe working laboratory conditions for all members of the Lehigh community and their visitors. The contents of this manual are not necessarily comprehensive; therefore, supplemental safety procedures may be required as each situation warrants.

Safe laboratory practice is an attitude, a knowledge and an awareness of potential hazards. Safety is a mutual responsibility and requires the full cooperation of everyone in the laboratory. This cooperation means that each student, instructor, and researcher must observe safety precautions and procedures and should:

Follow all instructions carefully.
Become thoroughly acquainted with the location and use of safety facilities such as fire extinguishers, showers, exits, and eyewash stations.
Become familiar with safety precautions and emergency procedures before undertaking any laboratory work.
Become familiar with safety precautions and emergency procedures before undertaking any laboratory work.
Become familiar with the method of operations and all potential hazards involved before beginning an experiment.
Become familiar with Lehigh University's hazardous waste guidelines and other programs developed by Environmental Health and Safety.

Many accidents can result from an indifferent attitude, failure to use common sense and failure to follow instructions. Be aware of what your neighbors are doing, since you may be a victim of their mistakes. Do not hesitate to comment to a neighbor engaging in an unsafe practice or operation.

REMEMBER: TREAT CHEMICALS, RADIOLOGICAL AGENTS, BIOLOGICAL AGENTS, AND LAB EQUIPMENT WITH CAUTION AND RESPECT.

General Laboratory Practices

Keep only the amount of chemical you need for the immediate job in the lab.
Perform lab work in the lab, not in storage or other areas.
Store toxic substances in compatible, unbreakable containers. Keep them in a clearly-marked, ventilated area.
Wrap evacuated glass containers to protect against explosion.
Check stored chemicals regularly for deterioration and broken containers.
Store breakable containers in chemically-resistant trays or overwrap containers.
Dispose of chemical, broken glass, and other waste in containers specifically approved for that use.
Clean up broken glass and spills immediately.
Post signs to warn others of toxic or radioactive hazards in the lab.
Keep the lab clean and neat.
Learn how to dispose of materials safely and legally.
Practice good personal hygiene in the lab.
Know what to do in an emergency.
Don't use damaged glassware.
Don't store chemicals near heat or sunlight, or near other substances with which they might react dangerously.
Don't carry materials between lab and storeroom by hand. Use rubber carriers, trays, racks, and carts.
Don't store chemicals in hood or on bench tops.
Don't store materials on floors or other places where people could trip over them.
Don't keep chemicals that are no longer needed.
Don't leave equipment unattended when it's operating.
Don't leave chemicals out at night -- put them back into storage areas.
Don't fool around in the lab.
Don't put custodians and fellow workers in danger -- store and dispose of dangerous items like biologicals and syringes according to procedures.

Instructor and Laboratory Supervisor Responsibilities

The laboratory instructor/supervisor is responsible for advising students of the safety requirements at the beginning of each course of study. The instructor/supervisor will point out particular hazards which may be encountered, rules and procedures to prevent or minimize the hazards, and the need for wearing safety apparel and accessories.

The instructor/supervisor will advise students of fire and accident procedures, including the location and use of fire extinguishers, safety showers, and eyewash stations.

The instructor/supervisor will inform students as to the shortest exit routes from the building in case of an emergency.

Laboratory instructors /supervisors should be satisfied their students understand experimental hazards before they permit the students to participate in or conduct their own experiments.

Facility Safety

All chemistry laboratories should have access to safety showers, eyewash stations, fire extinguishers, fume hoods, laboratory sinks, and an alarm for evacuating the laboratory through well-maintained and unimpeded exits.

All safety equipment such as showers, fire extinguishers, and the nearest, unrestricted telephone should be readily available, operable, and known to all persons in the laboratory. Laboratory personnel should always have access to properly-functioning, adequately-designed facilities.

Personal Safety

Safety glasses must be worn in the laboratory at all times. If you are found not wearing eye protection in the lab, you will be subject to disciplinary action.
Contact lenses should not be worn in or about the laboratory.
Never work in the laboratory alone. If a student is required to make- up a lab due to absence during his/her regular lab hours, then a make-up period will be assigned during normal lab hours.
Eating, drinking, and smoking are not allowed in the laboratory.
Appropriate clothing must be worn in the lab. Jeans, sneakers, and a cotton shirt, not shorts or open-toe shoes, are usually the best laboratory attire.
No chemicals or equipment may be removed from the lab.
Familiarize yourself with the location of safety equipment (such as fire extinguishers, safety showers, eyewash stations and first aid kits), evacuation routes, and other safety practices of the lab.
Wash your hands often during the laboratory period, and wash them thoroughly upon leaving the lab.
In case of an injury:
1. Notify your supervisor/lab instructor immediately. All injuries, no matter how small, must be reported.
2. Burning of they eyes should be treated by flushing with copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes. Burning of the skin is usually treated by excessive washing with water. Seek medical attention promptly.
3. If you get a burning sensation on your skin or in your eyes after lab hours, report to the Student Health Center located in Johnson Hall and explain your symptoms, as well as their possible connection to the lab.
4. All chemical spills, glassware breakage, and fires must be reported to your instructor/lab supervisor.
5. If there is an extensive chemical spill on a person, use the safety shower. Remove all contaminated clothing. There is no room for embarrassment in emergency situations. It could be the difference between life and death.
6. If your clothes are on fire, roll on the floor. Don't run to the fire blanket or the shower. Attending laboratory personnel should douse you with water or wrap you in the fire blanket. Get medical attention promptly.

Prevention of Chemical Injuries

University policies and procedures can be found at the following links:

http://www.lehigh.edu/~inehs/policies/labsafman.html

http://www.lehigh.edu/~inehs/chemical_hygiene.html

Obtain and thoroughly review all Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) for the chemicals you will use.
Be aware of what your neighbor is doing. If his/her actions indicate confusion or ignorance, inform your instructor/supervisor.
Never leave glassware set up or a reaction unattended.
Never pipette any liquid by mouth. Use a pipette bulb instead.
Flammable liquids (ether, acetone, etc.) must not be heated in an open container or used in a room where an open flame is burning. It is best to use these types of reagents under a hood.
Never heat a closed system.
Read the reagent bottle--TWICE! Make sure you have selected the correct chemical.
Place waste reagents in the appropriate waste receptacles.
Clean up your work area completely when finished.
Do not smell or taste any chemical.

Chemical Storage and Disposal

All potentially dangerous chemicals should be properly labeled, stored, and handled.
All waste material (chemical, radioactive, biohazard, etc.) should be labeled and/or disposed of according to established Lehigh University procedures so as to minimize any safety hazards.
All radioactive materials should be handled in compliance with the Lehigh University Radiation Safety Program.
All broken or cracked glass should be disposed of in well-marked and sealed containers (e.g., cardboard boxes) separate from solid waste containers to prevent injury.

Fire Safety

In case the building fire alarm sounds:

EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY, checking your immediate area to ensure everyone leaves the building. Close doors when leaving.
USE THE STAIRWAYS, NOT THE ELEVATORS!
Touch closed doors with your hand before opening to check for heat that may indicate a fire on the other side. Look through the window for signs of smoke.
If you need to travel through smoke, stay low and breathe through a wet cloth, if possible.
Do not enter the building until safety personnel give an all-clear signal.
Locate all the fire safety equipment near your laboratory and office. Memorize your escape routes, including how many flights of stairs are associated with each one.

Training Information on this topic can be found at the University Environmental Health and Safety Organization webpage:

http://www.lehigh.edu/~inehs/quizzes.html

Life Safety

University Plans and procedures can be found at the following links:

http://www.lehigh.edu/~inehs/emergency_procedures.html

http://www.lehigh.edu/~inehs/restricted/firesafety.html

Miscellaneous

Any medical conditions, such as epilepsy, should be reported to the instructor/supervisor. This information can be helpful in an emergency.
Every individual at Lehigh University has a right to know about the hazards of the chemicals he/she is working with and the measures he/she can take to protect themselves. The University has established training sessions which deal with the Employee Right-to-Know Program and other aspects of the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard. Any student interested in attending one or more of these sessions can obtain a complete list of training sessions from Environmental Health and Safety.

Hazard Communication Program Availability

If you would like to review Lehigh's Hazard Communication Program, contact your instructor or laboratory supervisor. Copies of this written program and lists of hazardous chemicals known to be present in the workplace are also maintained at the following locations:

The Student Health Center 616 Brodhead Avenue Johnson Hall, Room 36 Contact: Director of the Student Health Center

University Police Johnson Hall, Room 221 Contact: Chief of Police

Mountaintop Campus Facilities Services Iacocca Hall, Room C11 Contact: Assistant Director

If you have any questions about Lehigh's Hazard Communication Program which your instructor or laboratory supervisor cannot answer, contact Environmental Health and Safety at X84251.

Material Safety Data Sheets

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) are now accessible on the World Wide Web (WWW). The WWW is in addition to the two databases maintained at Environmental Health and Safety and the Sigma-Aldrich database maintained at Fairchild-Martindale Library. To use the WWW, you must have access to the network server.

MSDSs are informational sheets which contain facts on a specific chemical. This information includes: hazardous ingredients, physical data, fire and explosion data, health hazard data, etc. Chemical manufacturers are required by law to produce and distribute MSDSs to their customers. Every laboratory/work area on Campus should have an MSDS for each chemical in use. Some of the Internet sites which offer this information are:

http://www.hazard.com - Vermont Siri Web Page
gopher://atlas.chem.utah.edu - University of Utah
http://www.fisher1.com - Fisher Scientific Co.
gopher://gaia.ucs.orst.edu - Oregon State University

Please call EH&S X84251 if you need help accessing these databases of if you cannot find the MSDS for the chemical you are searching for.

Glossary of Terms

Absorption: A mode of entry of a toxic substance into the body in which the substance enters through unbroken skin.
ACGIH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
Acute: A health effect that is the result of a short time exposure to a high concentration of a toxic material. The effect is usually immediately seen, not more than several hours after the exposure.
Carcinogen: A material capable of causing cancer.
Chronic: A toxic effect that occurs only after exposure to a material for a long period of time, usually months or years. The amount of exposure is usually very low, and often symptoms are not immediately noticeable.
Concentration: The amount of a material in the air, for example 50 parts per million (PPM). May also refer to the amount of a substance in a mixture, for example; 10 percent ammonia in water.
Dose: The amount of a substance that enters the body. The amount depends on the rate at which the substance enters the body and the length of time the substance continues to enter the body. For example, a worker may inhale 10 milligrams of dust per day for 10 days. The total dose is 100 milligrams. Not all of the substance may remain in the body; some is eliminated, possibly as fast it enters.
Exposure: Similar to dose. The combination of concentration of a substance in the air and the amount of time a worker is exposed to that concentration gives the total exposure or dose.
Flammable Limits: The range of concentrations in air of flammable vapors of a substance between which the vapors will ignite and continue to burn, possibly resulting in an explosion. The lower limit is the Lower Flammable (or Explosive) Limit (LFL), and the upper limit is the Upper Flammable (or Explosive) Limit (UFL). Below the LFL, there is not enough vapor to support combustion. Above the UFL, there is too much vapor; the mixture is too rich to burn. NOTE: The MSDS uses Explosive Limit, but the preferred term is Flammable Limit. These terms are synonymous.
Flash Point: The temperature at which enough vapor is produced from a flammable liquid to reach a concentration equal to the LFL (see Flammable Limits). A substance with a high flash point is less hazardous than one with a low flash point.
LFL or LEL: Lower Flammable Limit or Lower Explosive Limit.
MSDS: Material Safety Data Sheet
OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Administration. This Federal agency is responsible for promulgating standards to provide a safe and healthy work environment.
Permissible Exposure Limit: OSHA's number that tells the concentration of a chemical in air that a worker may breathe for a given period of time without experiencing adverse effects.
PEL: See TLV.
Threshold Limit Value: A number that tells the concentration of a chemical in air that a worker may breathe for a given period of time (dose) without experiencing adverse effects.
TLV: ACGIH publishes TLVs for about 500 substances. OSHA uses similar limits called Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs).
Toxic: Poisonous and capable of causing damage to the body. A substance is more toxic if a small amount can cause the damage. The degree of hazard of a substance depends partly on how toxic it is.
UFL or UEL: Upper Flammable Limit or Upper Explosive Limit.

Crane Safety

See Lifting Mechanical

Personal Protective Equipment

University Policies and procedures for this topic can be found at the following link:

http://www.lehigh.edu/~inehs/policies/ppepolicy.html

RTMD facility specific safety rules pertaining to this topic can be found in the Safety Rules section.

Purpose

To protect employees from the hazards of processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants by providing personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities and to ensure protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields, and barriers are used and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition.

Policy

Training Information on this topic can be found at the University Environmental Health and Safety Organization webpage:

http://www.lehigh.edu/~inehs/occupationalsafety.html

Responsibility

Program development, policy review, and audit functions shall be provided by Environmental Health and Safety.
Deans, directors, department heads, center/institute directors are responsible for developing departmental procedures and implementing practices to ensure effective compliance with Lehigh University's Protective Equipment Protection Program.
Deans, directors, department chairs, center/institute directors shall ensure that hazard assessments are conducted for each affected job category and that personal protective equipment is provided and maintained for employee use.

Hazard Assessment

Each department, center/institute shall assess their work areas to determine if hazards are present or likely to be present which necessitate the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
If changes occur in the work area (new machinery, new processes, etc.) a new hazard assessment must be completed for the work area.
The form, Certification of Hazard Assessment and Personal Protective Equipment Evaluation, shall be signed by the department chair or center/institute director for each affected job classification within his/her department.

Equipment Selection and Availability

Equipment must adhere to standards and guidelines set forth by Lehigh University's PPE Program.
Deans, directors, department chairs, center/institute directors shall ensure that when PPE is required, it is available to all affected employees.
Defective or damaged PPE shall not be used.

Training

Deans, directors, department chairs, center/institute directors shall ensure that employees, who are required to wear PPE are trained on its use, care, maintenance, and limitations.
Deans, directors, department chairs, center/institute directors shall ensure that employees are retrained when necessary according to Lehigh University's PPE Program.

Radioactive Material and Machines Capable of Producing Ionizing Radiation

Purpose

To ensure all activities related to sources of ionizing radiation are conducted in compliance with U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regulations, University license conditions and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources Regulations and Procedures.

Policy

No person shall purchase, receive, possess, use, transfer or dispose of any source of ionizing radiation (radioactive material or equipment capable of producing ionizing radiation as defined by applicable regulations) except with the approval of and in accordance with the procedures established by the Radiation Safety Committee and the Radiation Safety Officer.

Respiratory Protection

Training Information on this topic can be found at the University Environmental Health and Safety Organization webpage:

http://www.lehigh.edu/~inehs/occupationalsafety.html

Purpose

To establish uniform administrative procedures and minimum requirements related to respiratory protection.

Policy

Scope and Application

In the control of those occupational diseases caused by breathing air contaminated with harmful dusts, fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smokes, sprays or vapors, the primary objective shall be to prevent atmospheric contamination. This shall be accomplished as far as feasible by accepted engineering control measures (for example, enclosure or confinement of the operation, general, and local ventilation, and substitution of less toxic materials). When effective engineering controls are not feasible, or while they are being instituted, appropriate respirators shall be used.

Administrative Aspects

Respirators shall be provided by the University when such equipment is necessary to protect the health of the employee. The University shall provide respirators which are applicable and suitable for the purpose intended.
Departments shall bear the cost of respiratory protective equipment, the cost of miscellaneous supplies and expenses, and the cost of medical evaluations required by the Respiratory Protection Program.
Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) shall be responsible for the establishment and maintenance of a respiratory protective program.
Only respiratory protective equipment approved by Environmental Health and Safety and listed in the written Respiratory Protection Program shall be purchased or utilized.
Only employees authorized by Environmental Health and Safety shall use respiratory protective equipment.
Respirators, requiring a face to respirator seal, shall not be worn when conditions prevent a good face seal. Such conditions are a growth of beard, side burns, a skull cap that projects under the facepiece, or temple piece of glasses. Departments should make a reasonable effort to find alternative work for employees who may be religiously discriminated against by the facial hair policy.
Medical evaluations shall be conducted by St. Luke's Hospital, Department of Occupational Medicine.
The supervising department shall notify Environmental Health and Safety prior to assigning an employee to a task that could require the use of a respiratory protective device.
Employees shall utilize and maintain respiratory protective equipment in accordance with procedures established by Environmental Health and Safety.
The supervising department shall ensure employees comply with the provisions of Lehigh University's Respiratory Protection Program.
Exceptions to this policy and the respiratory protection program shall require the approval of the Director, Environmental Health and Safety.

DOT Shipping

Purpose

To ensure the shipment of all hazardous materials is conducted in compliance with the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations governing the classification, marking, description, labeling, and packaging of hazardous materials in commerce.

Policy

No person shall ship a hazardous material except in accordance with established University hazardous material shipping procedures.
No person shall certify a hazardous material package for shipment unless they are trained according to DOT regulation 49 CFR 172, Subpart H.
Hazardous materials cannot be shipped unless properly labeled, marked, and classified according to DOT regulations.
Departments shall make arrangements with the common carrier for the shipment of hazardous materials. Carriers will supply shipping papers and advise as to what labels and packaging materials to use and purchase.
Departments shall purchase packaging and labeling materials. Packaging and labeling materials must comply with DOT regulations for the type of material shipped. Check with the carrier for the proper labels and packaging materials.
All Departments, Institutes/Centers shall ensure that Lehigh University's Hazardous Material Shipping procedures are enforced.

Use of Biohazardous Materials in Research and Instruction

Purpose

To ensure safe handling, storage, and disposal of potentially biohazardous materials, as defined below, used in University research or instructional projects. Enforcement of this policy by the University is meant to provide a safe working atmosphere and a well controlled research and instructional environment.

Policy

All University research and instructional activities involving biohazardous materials, as defined below, shall be reviewed and approved by the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) prior to the use of any such material. The IBC will report directly to the Provost Council. Projects submitted for sponsorship by external agencies must be submitted for IBC review prior to acceptance of funding. IBC reviews and approvals are coordinated by Environmental Health and Safety located at 616 Brodhead Avenue #197 (X84251).

Projects involving material(s) included in any of these categories should be submitted for IBC approval.

Infectious agents requiring handling conditions above Biosafety Level-1. (Biosafety Level determinations are based on the recommendations outlined by the CDC-NIH publication Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories.)Recombinant DNA and/or recombinant vectors. Human blood and blood products, human body fluids, human cell cultures, and/or human tissue. Microbial toxins (>1 mg of pure toxin, or solutions with concentrations of >1 mg/ml pure toxin).Pathogenic organisms. Whenever a contractual agreement or grant proposal requires Institutional Biosafety Committee approval for the safe handling of a biological or chemical product.

The IBC also serves as an advisory committee for University projects that involve possible biohazards that do not appear to fall into one of these six areas. When it is unclear as to whether a material constitutes a potential biohazard, the IBC should be consulted. Questions should be directed to the IBC or to Environmental Health and Safety located at 616 Brodhead Avenue #197 (X84251).

IBC - Institutional Biosafety Committee: A committee appointed by the Vice Provost for Research and Department Heads to review the use of biohazardous agents in research. This committee reports directly to the Provost Council. The membership of this committee includes Lehigh faculty and staff with expertise in relevant areas. In addition, at least one member of the local community is appointed to the committee to represent local concerns. The purpose of the IBC is to develop policies for consideration and enactment by the Provost Council and establish guidelines to ensure that the University complies with NIH, OSHA, and all other Federal, State, and local guidelines.

Biohazardous Material: A biohazardous material is one that is biological in nature, capable of self-replication and has the capacity to produce deleterious effects upon other biological organisms, particularly humans.

Applicability

This policy applies to all research and instructional activities, sponsored, and unsponsored, conducted under the auspices of the University. University projects involving the use of biohazardous materials at other institutions should receive Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) approval from the cooperating institution in addition to the Lehigh University IBC.

Request for Biohazards Reviews

IBC review and approval may be obtained by forwarding a copy of the Biosafety Registration Form and/or Questionnaire for Research With Recombinant DNA or Pathogenic Organisms to Environmental Health and Safety, 616 Brodhead Ave. #197. The form(s) should be filled out completely and signed by the principal investigator. If necessary, supporting materials (relevant sections of a grant proposal, research protocols, etc.) should be submitted with the form(s). The form(s) will be reviewed and if found to be complete, approval will be granted by the IBC. Upon receiving approval from the IBC, the Chairperson of the IBC will issue a project approval letter to the principal investigator. It is the responsibility of the principal investigator to ensure that approval letters are properly directed to any funding agency or sponsor.

NOTE: IF THE SCOPE OF YOUR RESEARCH CHANGES, PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THE APPROPRIATE FORM(S) MUST BE MODIFIED AND RESUBMITTED TO THE IBC FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL.

Welding, Cutting, and Brazing Policy

The University policy can be found at the following link:

http://www.lehigh.edu/~inehs/policies/weldingpol.html

Purpose

To provide the safety requirements for welding, cutting, and brazing in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.251 of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Policy

Responsibility

Each Department engaged in welding, cutting, or brazing operations shall do so in accordance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.251 and this policy.
The Supervisor/Manager of each Department conducting welding, cutting, or brazing operations shall be responsible for enforcing this policy.
Outside contractors performing work on University property are required to follow the requirements of OSHA's 29 CFR 1910.251 and this policy.

Hazards

There are several hazards to consider when performing welding, brazing, or cutting operations. These hazards include fires, explosions, electrocution, burns, welder's flash, oxygen depletion, and toxic fumes. Each Supervisor/Manager will be responsible to ensure their personnel are aware of these hazards and have taken adequate steps to prevent such an occurrence.

Personal Protective Equipment

It is the responsibility of the Supervisor/Manager to ensure each employee utilizes the appropriate equipment required to safely perform welding, cutting, or brazing operations. This includes personal protective equipment listed below:

Respirators should be used when ventilation is less than adequate.
Flame retardant clothing should be worn to prevent clothing from catching on fire.
High top boots should be worn to prevent burns to the legs and feet.
Gloves are recommended to prevent hand burns.
All personnel are required to use an approved welder's shield or goggles. All shields must be ANSI (American National Standard Institute) approved and the proper shade for the type of operation being performed.

Training

Supervisors/Managers are required to ensure personnel who weld, cut, or braze have received proper training. They are also responsible to ensure personnel are trained in the following areas:

Fire extinguisher use.
Respirator training, if they are required to use a respirator.
How to respond to an emergency (emergency numbers and alarm locations).
Confined space training, which includes all requirements of the Confined Space Policy, if personnel are required to work in confined spaces.
Personal protective equipment and the type of shield required for their specific operation.

Permits

A welding permit is required for each welding project and should be renewed each day. Copies of permits shall be obtained and filed by the Department Supervisor/Manager.

Outside contractors are required to obtain permits from Facilities Services before the beginning of each project. The contractor is required to complete each permit and fulfill each requirement before work begins.

Waste Disposal

Purpose

To ensure the disposal of all hazardous, radioactive, infectious, pathological, and any other regulated waste or material is conducted in compliance with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and all state and local regulations governing the disposal of waste materials.

Policy

No person shall dispose of any hazardous waste, radioactive waste, infectious/medical waste, or any other regulated waste or material except in accordance with established University waste disposal procedures.
Hazardous materials and hazardous wastes shall be properly identified and labeled according to University procedures. Departments shall be responsible for the identification of unknown waste.
Departments shall purchase and use hazardous materials in quantities that minimize waste generation but are consistent with operational needs.
Environmental Health and Safety will coordinate the disposal of hazardous, radioactive, infectious, and pathological waste.
Environmental Health and Safety shall maintain all manifests and documentation required by Federal and State regulations. Departments shall forward required documentation to Environmental Health and Safety.
In general, departments will not be billed for hazardous waste disposal. However, departments may be billed for the disposal of unknowns and other unusual waste (i.e., PCBs, dioxins, explosives, etc.).
All departments, institutes and centers shall ensure that Lehigh University's Waste Disposal Procedures are posted in every laboratory, shop and/or work areas where hazardous, radioactive, and infectious waste is likely to be generated.

Right-To-Know

Purpose

The Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 CFR 1910.1200 requires employers to provide information regarding hazardous chemicals to employees who may be exposed to such chemicals in the workplace. This policy and its accompanying procedures establish mechanisms to assure compliance with this regulation.

Policy

Responsibility

Program coordination and audit functions shall be provided by Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S).
Responsibilities of departments, supervisors and instructors are as designated in specific sections of the policy.

Hazardous Chemicals

A hazardous chemical shall mean any element, chemical compound, or mixture of elements and/or compounds which is a physical hazard as defined by OSHA Standard in 29 CFR Section 1910.1200(c) or a hazardous substance as defined by the OSHA Standard in 29 CFR Section 1910.1200(d)(3).

Employees and Students

This policy applies to employees and students who may be exposed to hazardous chemicals in the course of employment, education, or research through any route of entry (inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, or absorption, etc.) and includes potential (e.g., accidental or possible) exposure under normal operating conditions or foreseeable emergencies. Personnel are not included unless their job performance routinely involves potential exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Exemptions

This policy does not apply to:

Any article which is formed to a specific shape or design during manufacturing and does not release or otherwise result in exposure to a hazardous chemical under normal conditions of use;
Products intended for human consumption;
Any food, food additive, color additive, drug or cosmetic, or distilled spirits, wines, or malt beverages;
Laboratory operations regulated by the OSHA Standard "Occupational Exposures to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories, 29 CFR Section 1910.1200.

Material Safety Data Sheets

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) are documents containing chemical hazard and safe handling information prepared in accordance with requirements of the OSHA Standard for such document.
Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) shall serve as the central repository for MSDSs.
Departments shall request from chemical manufacturers and distributors a MSDS for each hazardous chemical they have inventoried.
MSDSs shall be readily available in the department, upon request, for review by employees or designated representatives and students.
Departments shall maintain copies of MSDSs for each chemical they possess and have them available for review by employees or their designated representatives and students.
Departments shall bear the responsibility for providing MSDSs for a hazardous chemical distributed or sold interdepartmentally or outside the University.
Employees or students who desire a copy of the MSDSs for hazardous chemicals to which they may be exposed should contact their supervisor, instructor, or Environmental Health and Safety (X84251).

Labels

Existing labels on containers of hazardous chemicals shall not be defaced. When a hazardous chemical is transferred from the manufacturer's labeled container, the chemical users shall ensure that the new container is labeled using the Hazardous Materials Identification System (HMIS) labeling system.

Chemical Inventories

Departments shall compile and maintain a Chemical Inventory.
The Chemical Inventory shall be updated annually and more often if necessary.
The Chemical Inventory shall be readily available to employees and their representatives. New or newly assigned employees shall be made aware of the Chemical Inventory before working with hazardous chemicals or before working in an area containing hazardous chemicals.
Chemical Inventories shall be submitted to EH&S in the format specified by EH&S each year and whenever updated.
Chemical Inventories shall be retained by EH&S for 30 years.

Emergency Information

Each year in June and whenever updated, departments, centers and institutes shall provide Environmental Health and Safety with the name(s) and the telephone numbers of knowledgeable representatives who can be contacted in case of emergency.

Training

Departments shall develop employee and student training programs for specific chemicals in their department.
EH&S will offer generic training on classes of chemicals annually.
Each department where any employee may be exposed to hazardous chemicals under normal operating conditions or foreseeable emergencies shall provide, at least annually, an education program for employees using hazardous chemicals. Additional information shall be provided whenever the potential for exposure to hazardous chemicals is altered or whenever new and significant information is received by the department concerning the hazard of a chemical. New or newly assigned employees shall be provided training before working with hazardous chemicals or before working in an area containing hazardous chemicals. Training shall be the responsibility of the supervisory staff.
Undergraduate and graduate students registered in courses where they may be exposed to hazardous chemicals under normal operating conditions or foreseeable emergencies shall be provided training before working with hazardous chemicals. Training shall be the responsibility of the instructor. The use of hazardous materials shall be directly supervised by a technically qualified individual.
Students assigned to research projects shall be trained in accordance with the requirements for employees.
The training program shall include the following information, as appropriate: the location of the hazardous chemicals; information on interpreting labels and Material Safety Data Sheets and the relationship between these two methods of hazard communication; an explanation of the acute and chronic effects of the chemicals and instruction on their safe handling, including necessary protective equipment to be used and appropriate first aid treatment; and general safety instructions on handling, clean up procedures and disposal of hazardous chemicals. Generic training on classes of chemicals may be provided when numerous chemicals are involved.

Rights of Employees and Students

Employees and students shall not be required to work with a hazardous chemical from an unlabeled container except for a portable container intended for immediate use by the employee or student who perform the transfer.
Employees and students who may be exposed to hazardous chemicals shall be informed of such exposures and shall have access to the Chemical Inventory and Material Safety Data Sheets for the hazardous chemicals. In addition, employees and students shall receive training on the hazards of the chemicals and on measures they can take to protect themselves from those hazards.
Departments shall provide, at no expense to employees, appropriate personal protective equipment to protect employees from exposures to hazardous chemicals. Students may be required to purchase routine personal protective equipment (e.g., eye protection, lab coats, etc.); however, departments shall provide specialized personal protective equipment (e.g., respirator, face protection, gloves, barrier creams, etc.).

ATLSS Research Center Safety Rules

Clothing

Long pants and fully enclosed shoes must be worn by students, faculty, staff, and visitors in all laboratories. Areas included are the test floors, staging areas, fabrication areas, and aisleways. Shorts, skirts, dresses, and sandals are not permitted. The dress code is applicable at all times (24 hours/day, 7 days/week) and all circumstances (fabrication, setup, gaging, wiring, testing, observing the test, checking control/data acquisition systems, data analysis, cleanup, examining specimens, discussing technical activities, etc.). Exceptions to the dress code may be granted under special circumstances by the ATLSS Director. Anyone violating the dress code will be asked and expected to leave the laboratory. Long sleeve shirts should be worn if operating grinding or burning equipment. Loose fitting clothing, such as lab jackets, ties, etc., should not be worn when operating the sanding belt or other rotating equipment.

Protective Equipment

Hard hats are required in all ATLSS Lab high and low bay areas, and within cordoned off areas in Fritz Lab (see attached hard hat policy). Hard hats are stored in the main aisle closet at ATLSS and in the Foreman’s office at Fritz Lab.

Eye protection is required in all ATLSS Laboratory areas, including the high bays, machine shop area, weld shop area, and Satec room (see attached eye protection policy). General eye protection is required of everyone entering the designated areas. Specific tasks and equipment require additional measures of eye protection. Safety glasses are stored in the main aisle closet and the safety locker at ATLSS. Hard hats, gloves, ear plugs, ear muffs, safety glasses, goggles, face shields, dust masks, harnesses, and other protective equipment are available. This equipment should be used as needed to ensure safe working practice. See the laboratory foreman for this equipment and proper use. Respirator use is restricted to people who have taken the respirator training course and respiratory medical exam.

Fabrication and Machine Shop Areas

Welding, sawing, drilling, machining, grinding, and sanding equipment are utilized in the labs. Equipment restricted to the laboratory technician staff include the overhead cranes, forklift, welding, and large drill press. Other equipment may be used by research personnel who have received and successfully completed operational and safety training in the use of each tool. Contact the laboratory foreman for training. Safety glasses, goggles, or face shields should be worn when using this equipment. “Dress” glasses satisfying the general eye protection guidelines are not adequate for these applications. Welders are required to wear special goggles and/or face shield. Glare shields and other barriers are to be placed to protect passers-by from weld glare and airborne debris. Do not look directly at welding operations.

Tools

Hand and power tools are available for student, faculty, and staff use. All users must receive and successfully complete operational and safety training in the use of each power tool. Contact the laboratory foreman for training.

Fall Protection

Fall protection equipment must be used for all activities performed above six (6) feet where enclosed railings are not available (see Lehigh University fall protection policy). Obtain fall protection equipment and training on proper use from the lab foreman.

Housekeeping

Clutter in a fabrication, preparation, or test area can lead to slips, trips, and falls. Keep all work areas and aisles clean and free of debris. Identify and place warning cones or signs at potential trip or slip hazards. Inform the lab foreman of any hazardous conditions..

After Hours Work

Work is permitted in the laboratories after normal working hours (see attached two person rule).

Incident Reporting

Report all accidents, safety incidents, operational incidents, and equipment problems to the lab foreman as soon as possible after occurrence.

Policy on Eye Protection in the ATLSS Laboratories

Objectives

Provide safer laboratory environment with enhanced level of eye protection.
Comply with eye protection guidelines established by Lehigh University Environmental Health and Safety Department

Action

All laboratory areas are designated as requiring general eye protection (high bays, machine shop area, weld shop area, Satec room). General eye protection is required of everyone entering the designated areas, regardless of affiliation with Lehigh University. In addition, specific activities are designated as requiring specific eye protection (examples: use of power tools, chemicals, etc.). On an as-needed basis, specific areas will be designated as requiring specific eye protection (example: side shields for Navy ship hull test).

Acceptable general eye protection includes, but is not limited to:

Commercial safety glasses.
Prescription lenses (personal daily glasses) as long as the lenses cover the area from the eyebrow to the cheek.
Commercial safety glasses that fit over prescription lenses.

Specific tasks and equipment require additional measures of eye protection. Tasks and corresponding eye protection include, but are not limited to:

Power Tools Grinding, drilling, machining, sawing, etc.	Glasses with side protection, safety glasses, safety goggles, or full face shield
Hydraulics Connecting Pipes, hoses, etc.	Glasses with side protection, safety glasses, safety goggles, of full face shield
Chemical Use	Goggles or face shield
Torch Soldering & Cutting	Safety glasses with appropriate shading
Welding, Oxygen or Plasma Arc Cutting	Face shields with appropriate shading

Supply of Eye Protection

General eye protection

Non-prescription commercial safety glasses will be provided by the ATLSS Research Center. One pair of non-prescription safety glasses will be issued by the laboratory foreman to each person requesting safety glasses. It is strongly recommended that care be taken to minimize damaging or losing the glasses. Additionally, safety glass stations will be strategically located throughout the laboratories. Personnel are encouraged to return glasses to the safety glass stations after use.

For all personnel working in the laboratory who have prescription lenses, personal daily glasses that meet the cheek to brow requirements are sufficient. If the personal daily glasses do not meet the cheek to brow requirements, a decision has to be made whether to use the commercial safety glasses over the personal daily glasses or to purchase prescription safety glasses:

Laboratory technical staff: The ATLSS Research Center will purchase ANSI approved prescription safety glasses with side shields (permanently attached or attachable) for staff not having acceptable personal daily glasses. The purchased glasses must meet all safety glass usage requirements. Additional protection for specific cases (goggles or face shield) must be used as appropriate. Alternate personal daily glasses will not be provided.

Students, researchers, & other personnel working part-time in the laboratories: The Principal Investigator or Supervisor will be responsible for evaluating the project needs and establishing whether purchase of ANSI approved prescription safety glasses is warranted. It is up to the discretion of the PI to provide project funds for safety glasses. ATLSS Research Center funds will not be available for prescription safety glasses.

Policy on Hard Hats in the ATLSS Laboratories

Objectives

Provide safer laboratory environment with enhanced level of protection.
Simplify hard hat guidelines for the ATLSS Multidirectional Experimental Laboratory high bays.

Action

Hard hats are required in ALL ATLSS laboratory high and low bay areas except for designated areas shown on the attached drawing. Areas NOT requiring hard hats are identified by yellow cross hatching painted on the floor. They are:

Delivery area immediately inside the southeast rollup door where UPS, Fed Ex, etc. deliveries are accepted.

Aisle from building main corridor to lab foreman’s office.

Aisle from building main corridor to the Chemical Engineering and Energy Research Center laboratories located in the building west side.

The shop, staging areas, aisle along the test bed, and the north bay are no longer non-hard hat areas. All activity in the high and low bays, including, but not limited to working on the test beds, staging areas, or mezzanines, and walking through the laboratory high or low bays for any reason require wearing hard hats.

Faculty, students, and staff are encouraged to use the entrances to the main corridor to gain access to the building and to offices opening into the high bays, rather than walking through the high bays. Delivery personnel needing signatures from staff will be required to wear a hard hat to get to the foreman’s office or go through a non-high bay area such as the machine shop or main corridor.

Supply of Hard Hats

A hard hat will be issued by the laboratory foreman to each person submitting a request. Please place your name in or on your hard hat. Personal hard hats may be stored in the main corridor hard hat closet. Please do not place your hard hat in the hard hat and safety glass stations. Limited space is available in these stations for temporary use hard hats. Hard hat and safety glass stations are located at the primary entrances to the high bays: north and south rollup doors, aisle adjacent to foreman’s office, and aisle from main corridor on north side of the reaction wall.

Two Person Rule

Issue

The operation of some ATLSS equipment can, in an instant, produce an injury where the operator could be rendered incapable of helping themselves or calling 911. Examples include, but are not limited to: falling off a raised test setup, severely cutting or smashing a finger or hand, or getting a metal splinter in an eye. Any of these incidents, if not treated rapidly, could produce a lost time accident or a more serious long term injury.

Rationale

It is critical the Lehigh University provides a safe and productive work environment. At times, it is necessary to have a work partner in order to ensure students, faculty, and staff do not place themselves at unnecessary risk. A “two person” rule to work in the testing laboratory environment provides an increment of safety unavailable to an individual working alone.

Policy

Any operation of hazardous equipment within the ATLSS Laboratories requires the operator have another individual be aware of the operation and available to protect the operator from a potentially hazardous situation.

The proximity of the “buddy” to the work environment will depend on the level of risk to the operator.

Operation of all power hand tools requires the notification of another person that is in the building that you will be working, and to please check in with you should they leave.
Band saw operation would require a “buddy” to be present in the immediate area of the equipment.

For benign operations, such as checking the numbers of cycled on a specimen, if no on e is in the building, notification to the Campus police *758-4200 will suffice if they are given a time limit for a call back stating completion of the task.

Cost Structure

NEES projects do not pay for use of NEES equipment or NEES-funded personnel for qualified activities. The RTMD facility will provide a baseline level of service to NEES projects at no cost to the researcher. This cost will be absorbed by Lehigh's NEES Operations and Maintenance budget. Section 7.1, Scope of Services Covered by the NEES Operations and Maintenance Budget, will provide a summary of these activities, developed from the Subaward Agreement for Operation and Maintenance of a NEES Equipment Site (OMSA-2004 v3.0). Additional levels of service beyond those noted in Section 7.1 will be subject to user fees or will be chargeable directly to the research project.

Section 7.2, Rate Schedule for RTMD Facility, ATLSS, and Fritz Labs - NEES Projects, outlines the fee structure currently being utilized to cover laboratory costs for NEES projects only. Section 7.3 outlines the fee structure for non-NEES projects. Fees will be charged for the use of non-NEES equipment by all projects and for the use of NEES equipment by non-NEES projects. For this purpose, usage of the equipment is defined as the time during which the equipment is dedicated to a project, thereby, precluding that resource from being available to another project. For example, an actuator being configured into an experimental setup is being "used" since it is unavailable to another project, and charges for use of that actuator will accrue to the particular project until the equipment is returned to the available equipment pool.

A project fee will be applied to all projects to cover the maintenance costs associated with ATLSS lab tools, miscellaneous equipment, and facilities, such as hand tools, forklift, overhead crane and hydraulic pumping systems that are non-NEES equipment. The standard fee, which is determined as a specific percentage of the project budget specific to utilization of Lehigh's ATLSS Laboratory, is outlined in Tables 7.2-1 and 7.3-1 (note the information is similar as the tables are duplicate). This fee will be reviewed annually by ATLSS personnel with the potential for revision.

Additional charges will be applied according to the attached tables in Section 7.2 (for NEES projects) and Section 7.3 (for non-NEES projects). The space use charges are intended to help cover the cost of maintaining the ATLSS Lab infrastructure, including, the strong floor and reaction walls. Other charges will allow recharging (e.g., for strain gages) or maintenance (e.g., non-NEES actuators) of the respective equipment.

In addition, NEES research projects are responsible for all fees and shipping costs from equipment and services provided by off-campus contractors. NEES projects are responsible for all travel costs associated with the project. This includes lodging, per diem, airline fares, rental cars, mileage reimbursement and parking fees.

Scope of Services Covered by the NEES Operations and Maintenance Budget

A basic scope of services is available to NEES projects through the NEES Operations and Maintenance budget. These services/activities are outlined in the table below. Specific questions regarding what is or is not covered under the Operations and Maintenance budget should be addressed to the RTMD Facility Operations Manager.

Service/Activity Covered under NEES Operations and Maintenance

Maintaining fixtures related to NEES equipment

Providing safety and risk management for staff and visitors

Maintaining all NEES equipment at full function

Operation of NEES equipment during NEES-related activities*

Repair/replacement of failed or damaged NEES equipment, assuming damage was not caused specifically by a NEES research project (which could then be liable)

Reconfiguration of equipment for NEES-related activities*

Maintaining all NEES instrumentation at full function

Operation of NEES instrumentation during NEES-related activities*

Assisting researchers with NEES sensor/instrument installation+

Repair/replacement of failed or damaged NEES instrumentation, assuming damage was not caused specifically by a NEES research project (which could then be liable)

Reconfiguration of instrumentation for NEES-related activities*

All services associated with onsite NEES-related training activities

Assisting NEES researchers with laboratory cost estimation

Assisting NEES researchers with proposal development (laboratory, equipment, and infrastructure)

Assisting NEES researchers with post-award planning and design (laboratory, equipment, and infrastructure)

Training activities associated with equipment operation

Training activities associated with site safety

Video conferencing support

Data transfer to NEES data repository

Office space and Ethernet access

Liaison services with local contractors

* NEES-related activities include: NEESR or NEES-approved shared-use research projects, training, maintenance, calibration, safety, education, and outreach activities

+ O&M will burden the cost for application of NEES sensors only; research project is responsible for cost associated with installation of non-NEES instrumentation

Additional services and use of non-NEES equipment are available at additional costs. These are considered as research costs that are to be covered by NEES research projects. Costs for these services, as determined using the rate schedule in Section 7.2 for equipment and the table below for Services/Activities, will be billed to the individual NEES research projects.

Service/Activity Not Covered under NEES Operations and Maintenance

Construction of test specimens, including receiving, fabrication, assembly, demolition, and disposal

Construction of experiment-specific test fixtures, including labor and materials associated with receiving, fabrication, assembly, demolition, and disposal

Services associated with use of non-NEES facilities, equipment, or instrumentation (including machining, welding, universal testing machines, non-NEES actuators, etc.)

Time associated with purchases required to support specific research project

Acquisition of miscellaneous materials and supplies specific to the project, including consumables, special tools, wires and cables, strain gages, instruments not available at the RTMD Facility, and special instrument mounting devices.

Development of special instrumentation and data-acquisition capabilities that are not available in the existing NEES facility.

Special software development and integration

Modification of existing electronic system and network

Materials testing

Laboratory floor and wall space use

Space use for receiving, assembly, and storage of fixtures and specimens

Rate Schedule for RTMD Facility, ATLSS, and Fritz Labs - NEES Projects

Tables 7.2-# apply to rates associated with NEES projects only (non-NEES projects are referred to Tables 7.3-# for applicable costs). NEES projects are defined as projects receiving funding through the NSF for use of the NEES equipment or projects that have received approval by NEESinc for shared-use access, as per the NEESinc Shared-Use Partnering Policy.

Note: All costs in subsequent tables are direct cost only (personnel costs also include employee benefits as noted in Table 7.2-3). All costs will be subject to Lehigh University's current indirect cost rate. Contact RTMD Site Operations Manager for university's current indirect cost rate.

Table 7.2-1
ANNUAL PROJECT FEE
Based on total test program budget (including indirect cost) for portion and time frame of research program that utilizes Lehigh University's ATLSS Laboratory
Calculated by multiplying the total test program budget (attributed to activity within ATLSS Laboratory) * annual project fee percentage / 12 (for the number of months in one year) * the number of months utilizing the ATLSS Laboratory
Example: Total budget for NEESR to utilize Lehigh's ATLSS laboratory = $50,000 and projects 3 months utilization of laboratory
Project Fee = $50,000 * 1 % annual project fee / 12 months in year * 3 months in lab = $500/12*3 = $125
	Unit of Measure	Academic/ Sponsored	External Testing & Use
Annual Project Fee	Per project	1 %	2 %

Table 7.2-2
FLOOR and WALL SPACE - ATLSS Laboratory
Floor Space
Description	Unit of Measure	Academic/ Sponsored	External Testing & Use
Floor Space < 500 sq ft	Per day	$0	$50
Floor Space to 1000 sq ft	Per day	$50	$100
Floor Space to 1500 sq ft	Per day	$100	$200
Floor Space to 2000 sq ft	Per day	$150	$300
Floor Space to 2500 sq ft	Per day	$200	$400
Floor Space to 3000 sq ft	Per day	$250	$500
Floor Space to 3500 sq ft	Per day	$300	$600
Floor Space to 4000 sq ft	Per day	$400	$800
Wall Space
Calculated by multiplying applicable floor space daily rate by wall space occupancy/ blockage factor (provided below)
Example: Assume an academic/sponsored project will utilize 750 sq ft of floor space and 35 sq ft of wall space for 10 working days Calculation: $50 per day * 10 days * 1.6 = $800
Description	Unit of Measure	Academic/ Sponsored (Wall space occupancy/ blockage factor)	External Testing & Use (Wall space occupancy/ blockage factor)
Wall space < 30 sq ft	-----	1.0	1.0
Wall space to 30 sq ft	-----	1.3	1.3
Wall space to 40 sq ft	-----	1.6	1.6
Wall space to 50 sq ft	-----	2.0	2.0

Table 7.2-3
PERSONNEL - Labor
ATLSS Staff (includes employee benefits, does not include indirect cost)
Personnel	Unit of Measure	Service/Activity covered under NEES O&M (per Section 7.1)	Service/Activity not covered under NEES O&M (per Section 7.1)
ATLSS Laboratory Manager	Per hour	$0	$80
Laboratory Foreman	Per hour	$0	$44
Laboratory Technicians	Per hour	$0	$34
Instrumentation Leader	Per hour	$0	$48
Instrumentation Technicians	Per hour	$0	$43
ATLSS IT Manager	Per hour	$0	$50
Administrative Assistant	Per hour	$0	$30
NEES Staff (includes employee benefits, does not include indirect cost)
Personnel	Units	Service/Activity covered under NEES O&M (per Section 7.1)	Service/Activity not covered under NEES O&M (per Section 7.1)
NEES Operations Manager	Per hour	$0	$61
IT Systems Administrator	Per hour	$0	$43
Software Developer	Per hour	$0	$43
Project Scientist	Per hour	$0	$61
Website Developer	Per hour	$0	$43

Table 7.2-4
NEES EQUIPMENT/NEES INSTRUMENTATION
NEES Equipment
Description	Unit of Measure	Academic/ Sponsored	External Testing & Use
NEES Hydraulic System (NEES actuators)	Setup project per year	$0	$0
- Static per actuator	Per day	$0	$0
- Dynamic per actuator	Per day	$0	$0
- Fatigue to 5M per actuator	Per M cycles	$0	$0
- Fatigue 5M-50M per actuator	Per M cycles	$0	$0
- Fatigue >50M per actuator	Per M cycles	$0	$0
NEES Accumulator System	Setup per project per year	$0	$0
- Accumulator discharge	Per discharge	$0	$0
NEES Control System (Pulsar)	Setup per project	$0	$0
Note: Equipment subject to weekly and monthly rates (as opposed to the per day rate noted above) if the following criteria are met:
- Weekly rate (>2 days/calendar week)		2.5*day rate	2.5*day rate
- Monthly rate (>2 weeks/calendar month)		2.5*week rate	2.5*week rate
NEES Instrumentation (Charges per instrument, regardless of quantity)
Description	Unit of Measure	Academic/ Sponsored	External Testing & Use
NEES Data Acquisition System (Pacific Instruments)	Per day	$0	$0
NEES Accelerometers (monoaxial)	Per day	$0	$0
NEES Accelerometers (triaxial)	Per day	$0	$0
NEES Temposonics	Per day	$0	$0
NEES LVDTs	Per day	$0	$0
NEES Inclinometers	Per day	$0	$0
NEES Differential Pressure Transducers	Per day	$0	$0
Camera	Setup per camera per project	$0	$0
- Axis 2401 fixed network	Per test day	$0	$0
- Axis 205 fixed network	Per test day	$0	$0
- Sony SNC-RZ30N portable network	Per test day	$0	$0
Agilent Power Supply	Per instrument	$0	$0
Agilent Volt Meter	Per instrument	$0	$0
Note: Instrumentation subject to weekly and monthly rates (as opposed to the per day rate noted above) if the following criteria are met:
- Weekly rate (>2 days/calendar week)		2.5*day rate	2.5*day rate
- Monthly rate (>2 weeks/calendar month)		2.5*week rate	2.5*week rate

Table 7.2-4
Non-NEES EQUIPMENT/non-NEES INSTRUMENTATION
ATLSS LABORATORY
Non-NEES Equipment
Description	Unit of Measure	Academic/ Sponsored	External Testing & Use
ATLSS Hydraulic System (non-NEES actuators)	Setup per project per year	$500	$1000
- Static per actuator	Per day	$300	$600
- Dynamic per actuator	Per day	$500	$1000
- Fatigue to 5M per actuator	Per M cycles	$300	$600
- Fatigue 5M-50M per actuator	Per M cycles	$200	$400
- Fatigue >50M per actuator	Per M cycles	$100	$200
Enerpac Pumping System	Per day	$10	$10
Enerpac Jacks	Per day	$10	$20
Manlift	Per day	$75	$150
Note: Equipment subject to weekly and monthly rates (as opposed to the per day rate noted above) if the following criteria are met:
- Weekly rate (>2 days/calendar week)		2.5*day rate	2.5*day rate
- Monthly rate (>2 weeks/calendar month)		2.5*week rate	2.5*week rate
Non-NEES Instrumentation (Charges dependent on quantity of instrumentation utilized)
Description	Unit of Measure	Academic/ Sponsored	External Testing & Use
Data Acquisition System	-----	-----	-----
- To 16 channels	Per day	$75	$150
- To 32 channels	Per day	$150	$300
- 33 - 64 channels	Per day	$200	$400
- 65 - 96 channels	Per day	$250	$500
- >96 channels	Per day	$300	$600
- CR9000 data logger	Per day	$250	$500
- CR5000 data logger	Per day	$150	$300
- Daytronics	Per day	$50	$100
Strain gage conditioners	Per day	-----	-----
- 1 - 8 channels	Per day	$10	$20
- 9 - 16 channels	Per day	$20	$40
- 17 - 32 channels	Per day	$40	$80
- 33 - 64 channels	Per day	$60	$120
- > 64 channels	Per day	$80	$160
Strain Indicator	Per day	$10	$20
Peak Reader	Per day	$10	$20
Precision Voltmeter	Per day	$20	$40
Power Supply	Per day	$10	$20
LVDTs	-----	-----	-----
- 1 - 8	Per day	$20	$40
- 9 - 16	Per day	$30	$60
- 17 - 24	Per day	$40	$80
- 25 - 32	Per day	$50	$100
- 33 - 40	Per day	$60	$120
- 41 - 48	Per day	$70	$140
- 49 - 56	Per day	$80	$160
- 57 - 64	Per day	$90	$180
- > 64	Per day	$100	$200
Plastic slides	-----	-----	-----
- 1 - 8	Per day	$10	$20
- 9 - 16	Per day	$20	$40
- > 16	Per day	$30	$60
String pots	-----	-----	-----
- 1 - 4	Per day	$20	$40
- 5 - 8	Per day	$30	$60
- 9 - 12	Per day	$40	$80
- > 12	Per day	$50	$100
Rotation meters	-----	-----	-----
- 1 - 8	Per day	$20	$40
- 9 - 16	Per day	$30	$60
- > 16	Per day	$40	$80
Load cell	Per day	$20	$40
Calibration stand	Per day	$15	$30
Videocam	Per day	$10	$20
Note: Instrumentation subject to weekly and monthly rates (as opposed to the per day rate noted above) if the following criteria are met:
- Weekly rate (>2 days/calendar week)		2.5*day rate	2.5*day rate
- Monthly rate (>2 weeks/calendar month)		2.5*week rate	2.5*week rate
FRITZ LABORATORY
Non-NEES Equipment
Amsler Hydraulic System	Setup per project per year	$250	$500
- Static per actuator	Per day	$150	$300
- Fatigue to 5M per actuator	Per M cycles	$150	$300
- Fatigue 5M-50M per actuator	Per M cycles	$100	$200
- Fatigue >50M per actuator	Per M cycles	$50	$100
MTS/Vickers Hydraulic	Setup per project per year	$500	$1000
- Static per actuator	Per day	$300	$600
- Fatigue to 5M per actuator	Per M cycles	$300	$600
- Fatigue 5M-50M per actuator	Per M cycles	$200	$400
- Fatigue >50M per actuator	Per M cycles	$100	$200
Amsler Alternating Stress Machine	Per M cycles	$150	$300
Baldwin 5000 kip Universal	Per day	$500	$1000
Baldwin 5000 kip Universal	Overnight	$200	$400
Riehle 800 kip Universal	Per day	$300	$600
Southwark Emery 300 kip Universal	Per day	$150	$300
Note: Equipment subject to weekly and monthly rates (as opposed to the per day rate noted above) if the following criteria are met:
- Weekly rate (>2 days/calendar week)		2.5*day rate	2.5*day rate
- Monthly rate (>2 weeks/calendar month)		2.5*week rate	2.5*week rate

Table 7.2-6
ADDITIONAL LABORATORIES/SERVICES/EQUIPMENT
ATLSS LABORATORY
Description	Unit of Measure	Academic/ Sponsored	External Testing & Use
ATLSS Bracing Frame	Per project	$15,000	$15,000
Materials Testing	-----	-----	-----
- Welding equipment	Per hour	$5	$10
- Heat treating furnace	Per hour	$10	$20
Mechanical Testing	-----	-----	-----
- 2670 kN (600 kip) Universal	Per day	$200	$400
- 267 kN (60 kip) Universal	Per day	$50	$100
245 kN Servo	-----	-----	-----
- Static	Per hour	$10	$15
- < 5 M cycles	Per M cycles	$50	$75
- 5 - 50 M cycles	Per M cycles	$25	$35
- > 50 M cycles	Per M cycles	$10	$15
Charpy V-notch Test Machine	Per day	$50	$100
Metallography Laboratory	-----	-----	-----
- Sample preparation	Per sample	$5	$10
- Hardness: Rockwell and Vickers	Per hour	$10	$15
- Optical microscope	Per hour	$10	$15

Additional Notes:

The 22,242 kN testing machine at Fritz Laboratory is also available for use by NEES researchers. Costs will be developed on a per test basis, based on the complexity of the test setup. The ATLSS Laboratory Manager will assist in developing estimates for the use of this machine.
A 4.0 % annual inflation rate will be applied to all fees for tests that are in place for more than one year.
All costs require indirect cost to be applied to the stated rates (stated rates are only direct cost, with the exception of personnel which also includes employee benefits). Contact the RTMD site operations manager for current Lehigh University indirect cost rates.
Space rates (both floor and wall) are applicable for total elapsed time associated with a given project. Such rates are not subject to the special weekly and monthly rates noted above for select equipment and instrumentation.

Rate Schedule for RTMD Facility, ATLSS, and Fritz Labs - Non-NEES Projects

Tables 7.3-# apply to rates associated with non-NEES projects only (NEES projects are referred to Tables 7.2-# for applicable costs). NEES projects are defined as projects receiving funding through the NSF for use of the NEES equipment or projects that have received approval by NEESinc for shared-use access, as per the NEESinc Shared-Use Partnering Policy. Non-NEES projects are projects that do not qualify per the definition above.

Note: All costs in subsequent tables are direct cost only (personnel costs also include employee benefits as noted in Table 7.3-3). All costs will be subject to Lehigh University's current indirect cost rate. Contact RTMD Site Operations Manager for university's current indirect cost rate.

Table 7.3-1
ATLSS PROJECT FEE
The ATLSS Project Fee is assessed as a one-time charge at the onset of a project at the percentages noted below. The fee is assessed on the total test program budget. The fee is assessed to cover costs associated with forklifts, cranes, hydraulic pumps, tools, etc. required for daily operation at ATLSS.
	Unit of Measure	Academic/ Sponsored	External Testing & Use
ATLSS Project Fee	Per project	1%	2%

Table 7.3-2
FLOOR and WALL SPACE - ATLSS Laboratory
Floor Space
Description	Unit of Measure	Academic/ Sponsored	External Testing & Use
Floor Space < 500 sq ft	Per day	$0	$50
Floor Space to 1000 sq ft	Per day	$50	$100
Floor Space to 1500 sq ft	Per day	$100	$200
Floor Space to 2000 sq ft	Per day	$150	$300
Floor Space to 2500 sq ft	Per day	$200	$400
Floor Space to 3000 sq ft	Per day	$250	$500
Floor Space to 3500 sq ft	Per day	$300	$600
Floor Space to 4000 sq ft	Per day	$400	$800
Wall Space
Calculated by multiplying applicable floor space daily rate by wall space occupancy/blockage factor (provided below)
Description	Unit of Measure	Academic/ Sponsored	External Testing & Use
Wall space < 30 sq ft	-----	1.0	1.0
Wall space to 30 sq ft	-----	1.3	1.3
Wall space to 40 sq ft	-----	1.6	1.6
Wall space to 50 sq ft	-----	2.0	2.0

Table 7.3-3
PERSONNEL - Labor
ATLSS Staff (includes employee benefits, does not include indirect cost)
Personnel	Unit of Measure	Both Academic/Sponsored and External Testing & Use
ATLSS Laboratory Manager	Per hour	$86
Laboratory Operations Manager	Per hour	$54
Laboratory Technicians	Per hour	$36
Instrumentation Leader	Per hour	$52
Instrumentation Technicians	Per hour	$43
ATLSS IT Manager	Per hour	$57
Administrative Assistant	Per hour	$32
NEES Staff (includes employee benefits, does not include indirect cost)
Personnel	Units	Both Academic/Sponsored and External Testing & Use
NEES Operations Manager	Per hour	$63
IT Systems Administrator	Per hour	$62
Software Developer	Per hour	$62
Project Scientist	Per hour	$66
Website Developer	Per hour	$62

Table 7.3-4
NEES EQUIPMENT/NEES INSTRUMENTATION
NEES Equipment
Description	Unit of Measure	Academic/ Sponsored	External Testing & Use
NEES Hydraulic System (NEES actuators)	Setup per project per year	$250	$1000
- Static per actuator	Per day	$200	$800
- Dynamic per actuator	Per day	$300	$1200
- Fatigue to 5M per actuator	Per M cycles	$200	$800
- Fatigue 5M-50M per actuator	Per M cycles	$150	$600
- Fatigue 50M-200M per actuator	Per M cycles	$100	$400
- Fatigue >200M per actuator	Per M cycles	$50	$200
NEES Accumulator System	Setup per project per year	$150	$600
- Accumulator discharge	Per discharge	$100	$400
NEES Control System (Pulsar)	Setup per project	$200	$600
- NEES Control System	Per day	$150	$600
Note 1: For Academic/Sponsored projects with actuator use subject to fatigue use rates above, the number of cycles used in determining the applicable use rate for all actuators on that project is calculated by summing the number of cycles run for all actuators.
Note 2: Equipment subject to weekly and monthly rates (as opposed to the per day rate noted above) if the following criteria are met:
- Weekly rate (>2 days/calendar week)		2.5*day	2.5*day
- Monthly rate (>2 weeks/calendar month)		2.5*week	2.5*week
NEES Instrumentation (Charges per instrument, regardless of quantity)
Description	Unit of Measure	Academic/ Sponsored	External Testing & Use
NEES Data Acquisition System (Pacific Instruments)	Per day	$150	$600
NEES Accelerometers (monoaxial)	Per day	$15	$60
NEES Accelerometers (triaxial)	Per day	$20	$80
NEES Temposonics	Per day	$15	$60
NEES LVDTs	Per day	$10	$40
NEES Inclinometers	Per day	$15	$60
NEES Differential Pressure Transducers	Per day	$15	$60
Camera	Setup per camera per project	$15	$60
- Axis 2401 fixed network	Per test day	$10	$40
- Axis 205 fixed network	Per test day	$10	$40
- Sony SNC-RZ30N portable network	Per test day	$10	$40
Agilent Power Supply	Per instrument	$10	$40
Agilent Volt Meter	Per instrument	$15	$60
Note: Instrumentation subject to weekly and monthly rates (as opposed to the per day rate noted above) if the following criteria are met:
- Weekly rate (>2 days/calendar week)		2.5*day	2.5*day
- Monthly rate (>2 weeks/calendar month)		2.5*week	2.5*week

Table 7.3-5
Non-NEES EQUIPMENT/non-NEES INSTRUMENTATION
ATLSS LABORATORY
Non-NEES Equipment
Description	Unit of Measure	Academic/ Sponsored	External Testing & Use
ATLSS Hydraulic System (non-NEES actuators)	Setup per project per year	$250	$1000
- Static per actuator*	Per day	$150	$600
- Dynamic per actuator*	Per day	$250	$1000
- Fatigue to 5M per actuator	Per M cycles	$162	$650
- Fatigue 5M-50M per actuator	Per M cycles	$100	$400
- Fatigue 50M-200M per actuator	Per M cycles	$50	$200
- Fatigue >200M per actuator	Per M cycles	$20	$80
Enerpac Pumping System	Per day	$0	$0
Enerpac Jacks	Per day	$0	$0
Manlift	Per day	$0	$0
ATLSS Control System	Setup per project	$50	$200
- MTS Flex System*	Per day	$20	$70
- MTS 458 System*	Per day	$12	$45
- Wineman System*	Per day	$12	$45
- Vickers System*	Per day	$10	$40
Note 1: For Academic/Sponsored projects with actuator use subject to fatigue use rates above, the number of cycles used in determining the applicable use rate for all actuators on that project is calculated by summing the number of cycles run for all actuators.
Note 2: Equipment followed by * subject to weekly and monthly rates (as opposed to the per day rate noted above) if the following criteria are met:
- Weekly rate (>2 days/calendar week)		2.5*day	2.5*day
- Monthly rate (>2 weeks/calendar month)		2.5*week	2.5*week
Non-NEES Instrumentation (Charges dependent on quantity of instrumentation utilized)
Description	Unit of Measure	Academic/ Sponsored	External Testing & Use
Trilion 3-D Image Correlation System	-----	-----	-----
- Static	Per day (not subject to weekly and monthly rates)	$285	$1140
- Dynamic	Per day (not subject to weekly and monthly rates)	$570	$2280
DaqScribe High Speed Data Acquisition System	Per day (not subject to weekly and monthly rates)	$125	$500
Data Acquisition System	-----	-----	-----
- To 16 channels*	Per day	$38	$150
- To 32 channels*	Per day	$75	$300
- 33 - 64 channels*	Per day	$100	$400
- 65 - 96 channels*	Per day	$125	$500
- >96 channels*	Per day	$150	$600
- CR9000 data logger*	Per day	$81	$325
- CR5000 data logger*	Per day	$56	$225
- Daytronics*	Per day	$25	$100
Strain gage conditioners	Per day	-----	-----
- 1 - 8 channels*	Per day	$5	$20
- 9 - 16 channels*	Per day	$10	$40
- 17 - 32 channels*	Per day	$20	$80
- 33 - 64 channels*	Per day	$30	$120
- > 64 channels*	Per day	$40	$160
Strain Indicator	Per day	$5	$20
Peak Reader	Per day	$5	$20
Precision Voltmeter	Per day	$10	$30
Power Supply	Per day	$0	$0
LVDTs	-----	-----	-----
- 1 - 8*	Per day	$10	$40
- 9 - 16*	Per day	$15	$60
- 17 - 24*	Per day	$20	$80
- 25 - 32*	Per day	$25	$100
- 33 - 40*	Per day	$30	$120
- 41 - 48*	Per day	$35	$140
- 49 - 56*	Per day	$40	$160
- 57 - 64*	Per day	$45	$180
- > 64*	Per day	$50	$200
Plastic slides	-----	-----	-----
- 1 - 8*	Per day	$5	$20
- 9 - 16*	Per day	$10	$40
- > 16*	Per day	$15	$60
String pots	-----	-----	-----
- 1 - 4*	Per day	$10	$40
- 5 - 8*	Per day	$15	$60
- 9 - 12*	Per day	$20	$80
- > 12*	Per day	$25	$100
Rotation meters	-----	-----	-----
- 1 - 8*	Per day	$10	$40
- 9 - 16*	Per day	$15	$60
- > 16*	Per day	$20	$80
Load cell*	Per day	$10	$40
Calibration stand*	Per day	$8	$30
Camera	Setup per camera per project	$15	$60
Nikon Camera*	Per test day	$10	$40
Videocam*	Per day	$5	$20
Note: Instrumentation followed by * subject to weekly and monthly rates (as opposed to the per day rate noted above) if the following criteria are met:
- Weekly rate (>2 days/calendar week)		2.5*day	2.5*day
- Monthly rate (>2 weeks/calendar month)		2.5*week	2.5*week
FRITZ LABORATORY
Non-NEES Equipment
Amsler Hydraulic System	Setup per project per year	$125	$500
- Static per actuator*	Per day	$75	$300
- Fatigue to 5M per actuator	Per M cycles	$75	$300
- Fatigue 5M-50M per actuator	Per M cycles	$50	$200
- Fatigue 50M-200M per actuator	Per M cycles	$25	$100
- Fatigue >200M per actuator	Per M cycles	$10	$40
MTS/Vickers Hydraulic	Setup per project per year	$250	$1000
- Static per actuator*	Per day	$150	$600
- Fatigue to 5M per actuator	Per M cycles	$150	$600
- Fatigue 5M-50M per actuator	Per M cycles	$100	$400
- Fatigue 50M-200M per actuator	Per M cycles	$50	$200
- Fatigue >200M per actuator	Per M cycles	$20	$80
Amsler Alternating Stress Machine	Per M cycles	$75	$300
Baldwin 5000 kip Universal*	Per day	$250	$1000
Baldwin 5000 kip Universal*	Overnight	$100	$400
Riehle 800 kip Universal*	Per day	$150	$600
Southwark Emery 300 kip Universal	Per day	$75	$300
Note 1: For Academic/Sponsored projects with actuator use subject to fatigue use rates above, the number of cycles used in determining the applicable use rate for all actuators on that project is calculated by summing the number of cycles run for all actuators.
Note 2: Equipment followed by * subject to weekly and monthly rates (as opposed to the per day rate noted above) if the following criteria are met:
- Weekly rate (>2 days/calendar week)		2.5*day	2.5*day
- Monthly rate (>2 weeks/calendar month)		2.5*week	2.5*week

Table 7.3-6
ADDITIONAL LABORATORIES/SERVICES/EQUIPMENT
ATLSS LABORATORY
Description	Unit of Measure	Academic/ Sponsored	External Testing & Use
ATLSS Bracing Frame	Per project	$15,000	$15,000
Materials Testing	-----	-----	-----
- Welding equipment	Per hour	$5	$10
- Heat treating furnace	Per hour	$10	$20
Mechanical Testing	-----	-----	-----
- 2670 kN (600 kip) Universal	Per day	$200	$400
- 267 kN (60 kip) Universal	Per day	$50	$100
245 kN Servo	-----	-----	-----
- Static	Per hour	$10	$15
- < 5 M cycles	Per M cycles	$25	$75
- 5 - 50 M cycles	Per M cycles	$25	$35
- > 50 M cycles	Per M cycles	$10	$15
Charpy V-notch Test Machine	Per day	$50	$100
Metallography Laboratory	-----	-----	-----
- Sample preparation	Per sample	$5	$10
- Hardness: Rockwell and Vickers	Per hour	$10	$15
- Optical microscope	Per hour	$10	$15

Additional Notes:

The 22,242 kN testing machine at Fritz Laboratory is also available for use by NEES researchers. Costs will be developed on a per test basis, based on the complexity of the test setup. The ATLSS Laboratory Manager will assist in developing estimates for the use of this machine.
A 4.0 % annual inflation rate will be applied to all fees for tests that are in place for more than one year.
All costs require indirect cost to be applied to the stated rates (stated rates are only direct cost, with the exception of personnel which also includes employee benefits). Contact the RTMD site operations manager for current Lehigh University indirect cost rates.
Space rates (both floor and wall) are applicable for total elapsed time associated with a given project. Such rates are not subject to the special weekly and monthly rates noted above for select equipment and instrumentation.

Facility Organization

This chapter describes the staff organization and capabilities of the RTMD earthquake simulation facility at Lehigh University.

Overview

It is important to understand that the RTMD earthquake simulation facility is not a stand-alone facility. The RTMD facility is a component of the existing ATLSS Center at Lehigh. All NEES experiments are expected to require the use of both ATLSS and RTMD facility components. The ATLSS Center consists of the strong floor/reaction wall/hydraulic pump system/multi-directional laboratory that are utilized by the RTMD facility. The RTMD facility adds a significant enhancement to the ATLSS hydraulic system capability through the installation of the 3030 liters (800 gallons), 24 MPa (3500 psi) hydraulic oil accumulator, and the high load rate actuators and servo-valves. Additional enhancements include the 8 channel controller and the 256 channel data acquisition system. All of these components are described in detail in Chapter 1 of this manual. Thus, the RTMD facility and ATLSS share many common components, not all of which were funded by the NSF NEES Program. Likewise, the staff of the RTMD facility can not be separated from that of the ATLSS Center. Many of the laboratory functions overlap both the NEES and ATLSS programs at Lehigh University. The responsibilities of the staff thereby overlap both research programs. NEESinc operation and maintenance (O&M) funding reflects this overlap for both staff and facilities. Neither the staff costs nor the facility maintenance costs are fully funded by the O&M. Thus, NEES projects may be required to cover a portion of the costs of both the staff and the facility maintenance if project costs exceed the O&M allocation for NEES projects.

As an example of this functional overlap for the staff, the ATLSS Laboratory Manager is responsible for all tests conducted in the lab - both NEES and non-NEES. The Lab Manager is not fully funded by the NEESinc O&M. This is typical for all personnel.

Following are listings of the key personnel at both the RTMD facility and ATLSS Center. Groupings are according to the primary source of support.

RTMD Organization

Principal Investigator	James M. Ricles, Ph.D., P.E. (jmr5@lehigh.edu)
Co-Principal Investigator	Richard Sause, Ph.D., P.E. (rs0c@lehigh.edu)
Operations Manager	Gary Novak (gsn207@lehigh.edu)
Systems Administrator	Thomas M. Marullo (tmm3@lehigh.edu)
Software Developer	Thomas M. Marullo (tmm3@lehigh.edu)

ATLSS Organization

Director	Richard Sause, Ph.D. (rs0c@lehigh.edu)
Deputy Director	James M. Ricles, Ph.D. (jmr5@lehigh.edu)
Administrative Director	Chad S. Kusko, Ph.D. (chk205@lehigh.edu)
Administrative Assistant	Elizabeth MacAdam (es00@lehigh.edu)
Accounts Manager	Doris Oravec (dao1@lehigh.edu)
Manager Structural Testing	Frank E. Stokes (fes2@lehigh.edu)
Laboratory Operations Manager	John P. Hoffner (jph3@lehigh.edu)
Instrumentation Manager	Edward A. Tomlinson (eat2@lehigh.edu)
Instrumentation Manager	Carl Bowman (cab6@lehigh.edu)
Materials Program Manager	Eric Kaufmann, Ph.D. (ek02@lehigh.edu)
Infrastructure Monitoring Program Manager	Richard Sause, Ph.D., P.E. (rs0c@lehigh.edu)
IT Systems Manager	Peter Bryan (pb02@lehigh.edu)
Web Developer	Peter Bryan (pb02@lehigh.edu)

ATLSS Research Center Facilities

The following describes the resources available to NEES researchers at the ATLSS Center.

Laboratory Technician Staff

The ATLSS Center maintains a staff of Laboratory Technicians to support the setup and removal of large scale experiments, and to maintain the hydraulic supply system and reaction wall facility. These technicians operate all of the lab mobile equipment: forklifts and overhead crane: for all functions. They also have the capability to form and pour concrete and fabricate reinforcing. They are skilled in steel fabrication and erection with significant experience in layout, fitting, burning welding, heat straightening and erection of both fixtures and specimens. Additional capabilities include hydraulic systems operation and maintenance. These technicians average 25 years experience in these construction related and maintenance functions. This staff works under the direction of the Laboratory Foreman.

Instrumentation Technician Staff

The ATLSS Center maintains a staff of Instrumentation Technicians to support the data acquisition and control functions for all experiments. Their functions include the maintenance and setup of the DAS control system computers, the installation of all instrumentation as required by individual experiments, and the maintenance of all electronic equipment required for large scale experimentation. These technicians have been trained in the use of all the newly acquired NEES equipment, including the Pacific Instruments DAS, and the Servotest servo control computer. They are experienced in the application of all instrumentation used in structural experiments involving concrete, steel, fiber reinforced polymers, and composite materials. The average experience for these technicians is over 15 years. The Instrumentation Technicians are directed by the Instrumentation Manager.

ATLSS Structural Testing Lab

Accommodates both small scale and full size test structures composed of all materials, facilitated by a test floor measuring 40' by 102', and fixed reaction walls up to 50' high encircling three corners of the test floor. Multidirectional loads and motions can be applied allowing the study of the behavior of complete structures under a wide variety of load conditions.

Contact: Frank Stokes, fes2@lehigh.edu, (610) 758-5498

Fritz Engineering Lab

Features 800,000 lb and 5,000,000 lb universal testing machines, and a dynamic test bed with broad fatigue-testing capabilities, and a wide range of instrumentation. Founded in 1909 and enlarged to the present capacity in 1954. Designated as an ASCE Civil Engineering Landmark Structure.

Contact: Frank Stokes, fes2@lehigh.edu, (610) 758-5498

Mechanical Testing Laboratory

Capable of standard mechanical property tests of metallic, cementitious and composite construction materials. Features 60,000 and 600,000 lb universal testing machines, and Charpy V-Notch fracture toughness testing machine.

Contact: Dr. Eric Kaufmann, ek02@lehigh.edu, (610) 758-4250

Robert E. Stout Welding and Heat Treating Laboratory

The Robert D. Stout Welding and Joining Laboratory is equipped to produce test weldments by the shielded-metal-arc, gas-metal-arc, gas-tungsten-arc, and submerged-arc processes under accurately controlled parameters of voltage, current, and travel speed. In addition, the Laboratory has facilities for preparing specimens by sawing and flame-cutting and by heating and quenching for various tests that include slow-notch-bend, hardenability, fracture-toughness, weld-restraint-cracking, implant, tension, and creep-rupture testing.

Contact: Dr. John Gross, jhg5@lehigh.edu, (610) 758-5952

Metallography and Microscopy Laboratories

Facilities for metallographic sample preparation and material characterization by light optical and electron microscopy techniques with hardness and microhardness capabilities. Features SEM and Light Microscopy equipment.

Contact: Dr. Eric Kaufmann, ek02@lehigh.edu, (610) 758-4250

Computational Laboratory for Life-Cycle Structural Engineering

This facility is equipped with several high performance computer desktops providing a large number of advanced Life-Cycle, Reliability, Risk, Optimization, and Structural Engineering software applications. These applications are also available on the Laboratory's 64-bit quad core computational server, which is capable of speedily performing heavy-duty computational tasks.

Contact: Dr. Dan M. Frangopol, dmf206@lehigh.edu, (610) 758-6103

Laboratory of Advanced Integrated Technology for Intelligent Structures (LAITIS)

The Laboratory of Advanced Integrated Technology for Intelligent Structures (LAITIS) is focused on research and education in the areas of wireless sensor networks, structural health monitoring, advanced information technology for enhancement of civil infrastructure performance, structural dynamics and vibration. The lab is equipped with state-of-the-art vibration testing, sensor networks development and calibration equipments. In addition, the lab has a small-scale shaking table (18"x18"), which is used to simulate dynamic response of civil structures and prototype testbed experiments.

Contact: Dr. Shamim N. Pakzad, snp208@lehigh.edu, (610) 758-3566

Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Laboratory

The Nondestructive Evaluation Laboratory is equipped to perform basic laboratory and field evaluation work on steel and concrete materials and structures. The laboratory also includes a variety of electronic hardware for bench top testing including oscilloscopes, function generators and filters. The laboratory is for both undergraduate and graduate research, and undergraduate instruction.

Contact: Dr. Stephen Pessiki, spp1@lehigh.edu, (610) 758-3494

ATLSS Infrastructure Monitoring Program Vehicle

The vehicle is used to increase the productivity and the safety of those involved with the Infrastructure Monitoring Program. The vehicle provides space for storing and transporting equipment, and for working in the field.

Contact: Ian Hodgson, ich2@lehigh.edu, (610) 758-6105

RTMD Users Guide

From Lehigh RTMD Wiki

Contents

Facility Information

RTMD Overview

ATLSS Overview

RTMD Equipment Specifications

Hydraulic Supply System

Pumps

Accumulators

Actuators

Servo-valves

Hydraulic Service Manifold (HSM)

Servo-Controller

Data Acquisition

Instrumentation

Advanced Instrumentation

Conventional Instrumentation

RTMD IT Systems

Integration of RTMD IT Systems

Configuring an Experiment

Conducting an Experiment

Advanced Instrumentation

Fiber Optic Strain Sensors

Wireless MEMS Accelerometers

Piezoelectric Strain Sensors

ATLSS Facility Details

Reaction Wall Capacities

Anchor Assembly Capacities Floor and Wall

Other Available Equipment

Schematics of ATLSS Multi-directional Reaction Wall and Strong Floor

References

Test Methods & Data Analysis

Dynamics of a Structure Subjected to Earthquake Motions

PSD Test Method

Hybrid Test Method

Distributed Hybrid PSD Test Method

Effects of Multi-directional DOFs

Effective Force Test Method

RTMD Control System and IT System Architecture

Requirements for Users of the RTMD Facility

References

Telepresence Capabilities

LAN Equipment and Computer Network

Telepresence

General

Participation by Remote Researchers

Remote Experimental Participation (Control Interaction)

The Casual Participant

Education and Outreach

General

Example Activities

Education

University Curriculum

University Classroom Projects/Activities

Research Experience for Undergraduates Program

Outreach

K-12 Activities

Posters

Participation at Professional Conferences

Equipment Site Tours

Equipment Site Activity Map

Media Coverage

Research Workshops

Training

Seismic Testing Workshop

Website Training

EOT Coordinator Contact Information

Procedures & Policies

Guidelines for Proposal Preparation

Guidelines for Funded Projects

Required Documentation

Training

Experiment Execution

Safety Plan

University Safety Policy

Lehigh ATLSS and RTMD Facility Safety Policy

General

Accident Analysis

Accident Investigation