L.A. County Museum of Art Conservation Project

CLEVELAND - Jan. 9, 2025 - PRLog -- L.A. County Museum of Art Conservation Project

CAS DataLoggers assisted LACMA in conserving the Watts Towers by providing structural monitoring equipment. This allowed the team to track movements and plan restoration efforts. Environmental factors constantly affect the towers, leading to cracks and ornamentation loss.

System Installation:

LACMA's Conservation Department uses the dataTaker DT80 Data Logger to monitor Watts Towers' structural integrity. Placed at the base, it focuses on crack detection. As cracks are found, it is moved higher for continued monitoring, protected from outdoor elements. The team uses Firstmark Series 150 Subminiature Position Transducers to track crack movement around the tower's base. The dataTaker DT80 monitors various sensors, including temperature, humidity, and wind speed, and runs on an internal battery for over a month.

Data Collection:

The DT80 data logger stores up to 10 million data points in its user-defined memory so that users can log as much or as little as needed, with the ability to independently control schedule size and mode. The logger's flexible COM drive from the datalogger's USB port quickly collects the data. Once a month, a team member climbs up a short ladder to pull out the Flash drive, puts it in a laptop to download the data, and replaces it.

Dr. Eng explains, "We've retrieved the data and now we're checking it for evidence of any seismic disturbances since earthquakes are frequent in this area. Other influences may result in extreme data, such as the 'Santa Anas,' the hot winds blowing in from the desert at 50 to 60 miles per hour, so we're looking for those indications too."

Analysis Software:

The dataTaker data logger comes with user-friendly dEX2 software for easy setup on Windows PCs. It communicates with the logger via USB or Ethernet and provides real-time data and trend charts.

Benefits:

The dataTaker system and string potentiometers are cost-effective for the Conservation Department. Dr. Eng praises the integrated measurements and software in one compact package, emphasizing the system's portability, ease of data retrieval, and versatility for future projects.

Learn more about UCLA's equipment site which is part of the Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) at http://www.cee.ucla.edu/.

For more info on the dataTaker DT80 Intelligent Data Logger, or to find the ideal solution for your application-specific needs, contact a CAS DataLoggers Application Specialist at (800) 956-4437 or visit us at https://www.dataloggerinc.com.