Runway instrumentation at Denver International Airport: Dynamic sensor data processing: Fid-Bau Portal

Runway instrumentation at Denver International Airport: Dynamic sensor data processing

Dong, Mingyao / Hayhoe, G.F. / Fang Ying Wu

Procedures are described for processing dynamic response data collected from an instrumented rigid runway pavement at Denver International Airport (DEN). The instrumented section of pavement is 22.4 m (80 feet) long and is located 122 m (400 feet) from the threshold of the runway. Sensors used to measure the pavement response include strain gages, multi-depth deflectometers, and geophones. Seven infrared LED emitter/detector pairs are located on opposite sides of the runway to sense aircraft position. Data sample rate is approximately 160 Hz. Data processing is by means of a Windows based computer program written in Visual Basic. Functions provided by the program are: 1) read the binary data file containing all sensor data for a single aircraft event; 2) filter the data (where necessary) and convert to engineering units; 3) tabular display of relevant sensor data; 4) graphical display of the data record for individual sensors; 5) calculation of aircraft speed and position as a function of time; 6) identification of the aircraft type and weight; 7) calculation of peak responses; and 8) generation of an SQL file for transfer of the processed data to a database. Completely automatic processing of a batch of aircraft events is also provided.