Select a location and time span using the menus below.
Please be aware that all data is experimental in nature. We are still in the process of field testing much of our equipment.
LOAD RESTRICTION MODELING AND SUBSURFACE TEMPERATURES
The purpose of this project is to find a better way to determine when to place spring load restrictions in the state of North Dakota in an effort to minimize damage to roads during springtime thaw. The current method of using Falling Weight Deflectometers provides valuable information but after the damage has occurred.
To aid the North Dakota Department of Transportation (DOT) we are investigating a method using subsurface temperatures and a pavement model. Our hope is the pavement model will be able to predict exactly when the soils beneath the pavements are going to thaw. We have equipped six cities across the state with subsurface temperature probes (Crosby, Emerado, Grassy Butte, Rugby, Sterling, Wahpeton). The temperature probes have been installed in the pavement structure and take temperature readings from 4 inches down to 77 inches below the surface of the pavement. This data is used to initialize the model then verify how well the model can predict the subsurface temperatures.
While testing of the data and model is taking place, anyone is able to view the data received from the subsurface temperature probes. Please keep in mind that the data is purely experimental at this time.
How to Interpret the Data
When viewing the data you may come across some fields with "err". Do not be alarmed. This is flagged data from sensors that have malfunctioned. We are still working out the bugs with an acceptable temperature range so please bear with us until we can solve the problem. In the meantime this may cause some graphing problems.
Please Note:
For Questions or Comments, please contact:
When viewing the data there will be seventeen columns of data. The first five columns indicate the site location, the year, the day (Julian day i.e. Jan 1 = 1, Feb 1 = 32, Mar 1 = 60 except in a leap year then it would be 61), time the temperature was taken, and the system voltage. The last 12 columns hold the temperature data for 12 depths (in inches) starting with the deepest sensor on the left and working to the top sensor on the right. All temperature data is in degrees Fahrenheight. Temperatures are recorded every ten minutes.
THIS DATA IS PURELY EXPERIMENTAL AT THIS TIME. The data provided is for experimental use only and should not be used in an operational setting. There are three ways to view the data, in a table format, comma delimited format (used when downloading data), and graphically. When viewing the data use the pull down menus to select the site location (Crosby, Emerado, etc), the month, the day (example: Feb. 1, Mar 5, etc), and the start and end time of the observations. Then click on either table, graph, or comma-delimited. Once all the fields are set you can click on Submit-Query and then view the data.
For those of you viewing data from Rugby and Crosby we are currently experiencing problems with those sites and are in the process of troubleshooting. We will have that data available as soon as possible.
Jennifer Hanson
701-777-4898
jlhanson@rwic.und.edu