Posted by Seema Patel on Tue, Mar 08, 2011
Digitexx would like to introduce our new video collection, "Where in the World is Mark?". The collection features the travels of Mark Sereci, President and CEO of Digitexx Data Systems who is a frequent world traveler and almost impossible to keep track of! He is always on the move learning from and educating others about structural health monitoring… so much so, that often times we get asked, “Where in the world is Mark?” (so thanks to your inquisitive nature, we were inspired!)
Our first video post highlights Mark's trip to Chile. As you know, on February 27, 2010 Chile experienced a massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake. Following that event, the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, EERI, created a post-disaster team of experts to go to Chile for follow-up research and assistance. Mark Sereci was invited to join this skilled team as a part of the instrumentation team. Following his work for EERI, Mark brought along a Digitexx PDAQ Premium and worked with local experts to install it on a 16 story office/commercial building in Viña del Mar, Chile. The goal was to monitor the building, record, analyze and broadcast sensor data in real-time to assist in damage identification and localization due to the various aftershocks following the major earthquake in February.
This video series will be both informative and fun… very much like our central character, Mark Sereci. Make sure to follow us through RSS or one of our social media outlets to stay updated on all of Mark's exciting trips!
Click to see the Chile video
Posted by Seema Patel on Thu, Jan 06, 2011
The 14th European Conference on Earthquake Engineering was held at Ohrid Lake in the Republic of Macedonia from August 30-September 3, 2010. The conference was open to all scientists, engineers, professionals, governmental officials, NGO representatives and all individuals working in the field of earthquake engineering from around the world. This forum brought together current earthquake engineering ideas, research and the implementation of risk prevention technology for those seismically active zones.
Digitexx Data Systems was proud to be the Platinum Conference Sponsor for the 14th European Conference on Earthquake Engineering. Digitexx sponsored a Special Session on Real-time Structural Health Monitoring. The Special Session featured structural health monitoring projects in the US, Canada, Chile and Macedonia. Topics covered included: buildings, bridges and a 3D Dense Array in Ohrid, Macedonia. A live demonstration of the 3D Dense Array was also seen during the session.
Speakers Included:
- Dr. Farzad Naeim, John A. Martin & Associates, California delivered the session introduction and discussed new ATC findings on building fragilities and damage probabilities during an earthquake
- Dr. Zoran Milutinovic, Professor, lZllS Skopje, Macedonia presented the 3D Strong Motion Array, Ohrid Lake, Macedonia
- Dr. Rubén Boroschek Krauskopf, Professor at University of Chile reviewed the Maule M8.8 Earthquake in Chile and the effects on modern structures
- Goran Jekic on behalf of Dr. Mihail Garevski, Professor, lZllS Skopje, Macedonia presented on the definition of Dynamic Characteristics of a Reinforced Concrete Building in Vina Del Mar, Chile
- Dr. Mehmet Celebi, USGS Menlo Park, California discussed Real-time Systems and Needs in the US and Elsewhere
- Dr. Alex Pavic on behalf of Dr. James Brownjohn, Professor at University of Sheffield, UK presented on Structural Health Monitoring-A Prospective on this New Paradigm and the Benefits
- Dr. Carlos Ventura, Professor at University of British Columbia, Canada closed the session with a presentation on Structural Health Monitoring for Large and Small Bridges, MOT BC Program, Canada
Overall, the conference was a success. The community of distinguished speakers effectively displayed the benefits and need for structural health monitoring systems. Following the session, all attendees were able to experience the great culture and lifestyle of Macedonia with a special reception of Macedonian wines and foods of the region.
To view presentations or more information about the conference click on: 14ECEE.
Posted by Angela Miller on Wed, Aug 18, 2010
Scottsdale, AZ (USA) and Neuchâtel (Switzerland), August 17, 2010: Digitexx Inc and Colibrys SA announced today the successful results of an innovative mobile Structural Health Monitoring system deployed since March in a newly constructed building in Vina del Mar, Chile. The system has 16 Colibrys MEMS based accelerometers embedded throughout the building to monitor the integrity of the building structure during ongoing construction these past months.
The Digitexx PDAQ (Portable Data Acquisition System) is an all-inclusive, fully-portable, battery or AC power operated 16 channel system with integrated hardware and software to measure, record, broadcast and analyze building dynamic response. The system is used for Structural Health Monitoring. Real-time streaming acceleration data is provided both locally as well as remotely via a proprietary Client Software transmitted via the Internet. When an event happens, such as an earthquake or an aftershock, and any pre-set thresholds are surpassed, an email alert goes out. To date the system has recorded 100’s of aftershocks.
Digitexx was invited by EERI (Earthquake Engineering Research Institute) to participate on the Instrumentation Team of the Earthquake Reconnaissance in March following the 8.8 magnitude in Chile late February. While on location, Digitexx brought a PDAQ to instrument a building with a common architectural design to most urban commercial/residential space in Chile. In a matter of hours, the system was installed and fully functioning and continues to run today. Data is now being viewed and analyzed locally in Chile as well as by earthquake and structural engineering institutions in the United States and throughout the world.
“We are extremely proud to provide a tool for the benefit of earthquake engineering research”, stated Mark Sereci, CEO of Digitexx. “The rapid deployment of a portable, Structural Health Monitoring System has enabled post earthquake construction to proceed with knowledge despite repeated aftershocks. The system provides building structural engineers with real-time data to compare to their calculations of the building’s key parameters (natural frequency, modes, damping, etc.). In addition, the multiple remote-access Clients have allowed visibility to real-time data and analysis across the globe which can prove an invaluable aid in the development of future seismic building codes”.
The Colibrys CEO, Sean Neylon, was proud to state “We are excited to be a part of a system and project that provides such important data in our global quest to learn how to save lives when natural events such as earthquakes take place. The MEMS Seismic sensors incorporated into the accelerometers have confirmed once again their value as highly robust, high sensitivity, low current solution to help feed Building Monitoring systems. We are extremely proud at Colibrys in leading the world in the design and fabrication of MEMS Seismic sensors. Most of all we are extremely pleased to see our products used for the benefit of the Chilean people who continue to endure such extremely difficult times”.
Further information:
Digitexx Data Systems Inc: Founded in 2000, Digitexx was the first company in the industry to develop real-time Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) systems for a variety of structural applications including: bridges, buildings, dams, wind turbines, oil rigs and more. Digitexx's innovative and low-cost real-time Structural Health Monitoring systems assist engineers with non-destructive testing and early structural damage detection. When a natural or man-made event happens and a pre-set threshold has been triggered, the Digitexx Structural Health Monitoring system sends out an alert to designated parties providing them with immediate information to assist in rapid emergency response as well as repair and maintenance planning. Ultimately, Digitexx solutions help arm our customers with the tools and information to make informed decisions quickly. For more information and to view our introductory video, go to www.digitexx.com.
Colibrys SA: Colibrys is a world-leading supplier of standard and semi-custom MEMS based motion sensors to the harsh-environment (Military, Aerospace and Energy) and safety critical (Industrial and Instrumentation) applications. Colibrys has the full breadth of Microsystems capability, undertaking design, development, wafer fab manufacture, packaging and test of hybrid MEMS components. Additional information is available at www.colibrys.com.
Posted by Angela Miller on Mon, Mar 15, 2010
Mark Sereci, President, and Aditya Jain, Electrical Engineer, from Digitexx joined the EERI Reconnaissance Team in Santiago, Chile this weekend. They will be serving on the Instrumentation Team and recently reported working on instrumenting a 23 story building. They brought just "a few bags" with them as pictured. Most included special equipment for the trip.
