Bridging the gap between research and industry is a common problem, as research can zoom lightyears ahead of industry capabilities due to the lack of solid cooperative relationships between the two sectors in many fields. It can take a long time to develop a research concept into a working process or product. This is where ASDEA differentiates itself; having been founded by academic researchers, we actively seek to cultivate university partnerships in the attempt to incorporate the latest research findings into our work. ASDEA Hardware represents one of our latest efforts to close the chasm between research and industry.
We recently collaborated with Kerakoll to explore the efficiency of new reinforcement methods during seismic activity. ASDEA Software performed complex computational studies while the Engineering team helped design the reinforcement systems for Kerakoll, and the Hardware team provided MonStr devices to monitor the test structure.
ASDEA Software was responsible for dynamic nonlinear evaluations of the reinforcing systems, which were designed using the Geoforce One software (developed by ASDEA Software for Kerakoll). The goal of the tests was to check the efficacy of the reinforcement techniques Kerakoll devised. The investigation of how the structure reacted to dynamic loads provided crucial information regarding the performance of the reinforcement systems.
While investigating digital twinning solutions, our engineers found it difficult to find sensors able to fulfill their needs for data collection connected to a database capable of processing the data in a way relevant to current research needs. Thus, ASDEA Hardware was founded to harness the research knowledge and experience of our team for the creation of hardware that could fulfill their requirements.
The prototypes of the sensors developed by ASDEA Hardware were tested as part of a joint research project carried out by the Department of Engineering and Geology (INGEO) of the University Gabriele d’Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara in collaboration with the Department of Engineering of the University of Fuzhou, sponsored by Asdea and Asdea Software, as well as by Hirun Europe and Seeweb, and were further supported by Arpitel. The research project involved testing different isolation systems for server racks to protect them during seismic events. Prototypes of the MonStr Sensors were installed on the racks to record the response of the structures during the shake table tests. You can view video of the test on our Youtube channel.
The MonStr sensors were created specifically for structural health monitoring and use in digital twinning.
The devices were designed to be modular, customizable, and be packed with high-quality and cutting-edge technology yet use standard connection technology to lower production costs. The resulting devices are well studied to meet the standards and needs of engineers in the field while offering the ability to collect and store data in a manner sophisticated enough to meet the needs of researchers.
Yet, fancy hardware is not the answer to digital twinning. It is only a part of the process. Gathering reliable data is essential, but the ability to process that data and turn it into meaningful information is also crucial. That’s where ASDEA’s multidisciplinary approach lends a hand. Asdea Software worked in synergy with ASDEA Hardware to develop a dedicated software interface, allowing the remote viewing of the data in near real-time. The data is stored in the revolutionary HDF5 database and then processed using ASDEA Software’s STKO for OpenSees software. The two companies have worked together to develop special algorithms to process and analyze the data during both the storage and processing phases.
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