U.S. Army Tank-Automotive And Armaments Command,, Acquisition Center (AMSTA-AQ-DS),, Warren, MI 48397-5000

A -- LASER VIBRATION SENSOR SYSTEM SOL DAAE0796RX145 POC For a Solicitation copy or for information on this procurement, call John Steves (810) 574-8565 Conventional Bridge evaluation techniques rely on the physical inspection of the structure as the primary means of determining its condition. The time consuming natu re of these techniques significantly increases evaluati on costs and prohibits adequately assessing structures on a regular basis. Physical inspections are further complicated by the subjective Nature inherent in the eval uation proces, the lack of the equipment necessary to perform proper inspections, and in many cases, the inaccessibility of structural memebers. A sensor system capa ble of accurate and efficient structural evaluation wou LD increase inspection team productivity. A system capa ble of structural evaluation based on non-contact laser vibration measurements performed from extended ranges would greatly simplify the inspection of most structures . In phase I of this program vibrational responses, ascharacterized by modal parameters such as Nature frequencies, Mode shapes, and strain energies, were investiga Ted for the purpose of damage detection. It was demonst rated in the phase I program that non-contact laser vib ration measurements showed excellent agreement with con tact transducer measurements during tank crossing tests of the armored vehicle launched Bridge (AVLB) and thata properly designed laser vibration sensor system could provide thr measurement density and bandwidth required to implement the damage detection algorithms. Based on these results, the preliminary hardware and software DE sign of a prototype Bridge assessment system suitable for advanced Field evaluation was completed in phase I. The U.S. Army tank-automotive and armaments command (TACOM) research, development and engineering Center (TARDEC) is proposing to award a follow-on effort directed toward the further development of a laser vibration sens or system (lvss). This effort will encompass the analysis, design, development, fabrication, laboratory and fi eld testing, program management and associated tasks re quired to successfully deliver one (1) prototype sensor system suitable for the real time structural integrity assessment of Bridges and other structures. The system includes a high accuracy laser vibration sensor together with the hardware and software required to implement the structural evaluation algorithms, for the remote assessment of Bridges and other structures by analysis of their wide band vibration signatures. The lvss employsa laser vibration sensor as the primary measuring instrument in conjunction with Signal processing to interpret, evaluate, and provide output concerning the condition of the structure being examined. The results of the ongoing phase I effort with West Virginia University will serve as the foundation for refinement of the damage detection algorithms and final design and fabrication of a prototype sensor system suitable for Field evaluati on during this phase II effort. See NOTES: 22 and 26. See NOTE: N/a. All responsible sources may submit an of fer which will considered.(0199)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0001 19960718\A-0001.SOL)