Principal Investigator(s):
Ahmed Tewfik, Former Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Project summary:
The MnROAD research facility generates a significant amount of pavement response data. Pavement researchers must visually inspect each pavement dynamic load response waveform to determine the baseline and peak load response of the sensors; this process is tedious and time-consuming, which limits the amount of data that can be analyzed. In 2001, a MATLAB computer program to assist in this process was developed for the Minnesota Department of Transportation by the University of Minnesota Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. This program significantly improved researchers' ability to process MnROAD offline dynamic load test data. However, changes in data file format and new versions of the MATLAB software resulted in reduced efficiency and increased errors using the program. The main goals of this project were to update the program and significantly enhance its performance and usability. Specific tasks included extending the program's ability to accurately locate peaks and troughs in recordings with low signal-to-noise ratios, improving its ability to track shifting baselines, improving program usability by cleaning all interfaces and automating various tasks that currently require manual use intervention, and adapting the program to handle newer versions of the software packages that were available. Program output files remained compatible with the MnROAD Oracle database. This project significantly reduced the need to visually verify the baseline and peak and trough responses in dynamic load test data, which in turn was expected to improve the ability of MnDOT researchers to estimate the wear and tear of pavement in more locations.