Patent · US Expired

Instrument for detecting hidden structural damage in multi-story buildings

US5526694A · kind A · utility

11Cited by
9References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 15, 1994
Grant dateJun 18, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 15, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01D1/14
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An electronic measuring instrument measures and records the acceleration frequency spectra of a multi-story building while it is excited by wind. Such frequency spectra are indicative, in part, of building structural stiffness. When a tramatic structural event occurs, such as an earthquake, an explosion, or a hurricane, changes in wind-excited frequency spectra are used to detect hidden structural damage to the building.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.