The RAPID facility provides investigators with the equipment, software, and support services needed to collect, process, and analyze perishable data from natural hazard events. One way that the RAPID achieves this is by providing state-of-the-art data collection equipment, which was selected based on feedback from the natural hazards reconnaissance community, the RAPID External Steering Committee, and the expertise of the RAPID team. Equipment offered by the RAPID is tabulated below, and includes equipment for multi-hazard broad use (e.g., computing, laser scanning, surveying, unmanned aerial systems, digital imaging, data visualization, and backpacks with natural hazards reconnaissance essentials), site characterization, ground investigation, coastal monitoring and investigation, and social science data collection. The multi-hazard equipment can additionally be used for structural and wind monitoring and damage assessment.
Most of the RAPID equipment is intended for field deployment to regions impacted by natural hazards, or experimental sites used for the study of natural hazards (e.g, for shake table tests). For individuals or groups with training (through our workshops or otherwise), or that prefer to operate on their own, equipment can be directly provided, or equipment can be sent with RAPID staff to assist in field data collection. For either scenario, the RAPID will advise and assist you with use of the RAPID equipment, equipment scheduling protocols, transportation logistics of equipment, and field safety.
The RAPID also provides equipment at the RAPID headquarters for data visualization, data processing and computing. This includes high-powered graphics processing workstations which can be utilized to develop and interrogate models from lidar and structure from motion (SfM) data and analyze data using software associated with RAPID equipment. This also includes a computer automated virtual environment (CAVE) which can be used to further investigate point cloud data (from lidar or SfM) and a 3D printer. The RAPID will assist with limited data processing and archiving data to DesignSafe. For additional data processing needs inquire with the RAPID.
To facilitate field data collection and data transfer to DesignSafe, the RAPID has also developed a custom mobile application called the RApp, which will continue to have features added. The RApp will be installed on field tablets provided by the RAPID. It will afford users the ability to identify, capture, aggregate, organize, store and manage social science, engineering, and geoscience reconnaissance data, as well as to a lesser extent disseminate, analyze, and visualize that data. It will enable the collection of metadata that will be linked to data collected by RAPID instruments, the collection of social science data through surveys, communication and organization of field team members, geospatial tagging of all collected data, and will assist with troubleshooting equipment in the field by providing equipment manuals and other important features.
EQUIPMENT CATEGORY |
DEPLOYING EQUIPMENT |
TYPES OF MEASUREMENT / USAGE |
# OF UNITS |
Computing |
iPad Pro 10.5 with accessories: |
Equipped with RAPID App allowing users to identify, capture, aggregate, organize, store, and manage social science, engineering, and geoscience reconnaissance data in the form of typed or handwritten notes, photographs, audio and video recordings, map vectors, questionnaires, and metadata. Data will be seamlessly integrated with DesignSafe for archiving. Required to operate some pieces of RAPID equipment |
15 |
Field Laptop |
Data collection, processing, and communication with other field equipment |
6 |
|
2TB Backup Drive |
Data storage and backup during reconnaissance work |
5 |
|
Laser Scanning (lidar) |
Leica BLK360 |
Close range (< 60 meters) lidar scanning for collection of 3D point cloud data |
3 |
Maptek I-Site XR3 |
Extra long range (< 2,400 meters) lidar scanning for collection of 3D point cloud data |
1 |
|
Maptek I-Site LR3 |
Long range (< 1,200 meters) lidar scanning for collection of 3D point cloud data |
1 |
|
Surveying |
Leica Nova TS16I |
Surveying total station with integrated camera for collection of spatial data (range of 3,500 meters with prism; 1,000 meters on any surface). Includes prism, prism pole and survey level |
1 |
Leica LS15 |
Surveying digital level with integrated camera for collection of spatial data (range of 110 meters) |
1 |
|
Leica GS18T |
Self-learning GNSS with IMU for collection of spatial data and georeferencing. Can include 2 meter GPS poles (4), bipods (3), spike mounts (2), tribachs (3), adapters (3) and 0.25m or 0.05m offsets (4 each). |
4 |
|
Heavy Duty Tripod |
Can be used with lidar scanners, total station, digital level, or GNSS units |
2 |
|
Medium Duty Tripod |
Can be used with lidar scanners, total station, digital level, or GNSS units |
5 |
|
Structure Sensor |
Small laser scanner that attaches to iPads for collection of spatial data on the scale of a room or for a specific object |
2 |
|
Thermometer/Barometer/Digital Compass/Humidity Sensor |
Calibration information for survey data collection (also includes wind speed) |
5 |
|
Additional Survey Supplies |
Magnetic survey targets, printed targets, mag nails, spray paint, chalk |
1 |
|
Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) |
DJI Mavic Pro |
Small copter drone (napsack size) for imagery and damage assessment |
2 |
DJI Mavic Air |
Small copter drone (napsack size) for imagery and damage assessment |
1 |
|
DJI Phantom 4 Pro+ |
Small copter drone (backpack size) for imagery, damage assessment, and SfM data collection |
1 |
|
DJI Inspire2 with X4S Camera |
Medium-sized copter drone for imagery, damage assessment, and SfM data collection |
1 |
|
DJI Matrice 210 with X4S Camera |
Medium-sized, weather-proof copter drone for imagery, damage assessment, and SfM data collection |
2 |
|
Skyshot Hybrid HeliKite |
Tethered balloon for imagery and damage assessment in drone restricted areas |
1 |
|
Parrot Disco Adventurer |
Small fixed-wing drone for imagery, damage assessment, and training |
1 |
|
MiniRanger |
Large copter drone with lidar scanner for imagery, damage assessment, and collection of 3D point cloud data (lidar can also be car mounted) |
1 |
|
Imaging |
Canon 7D Mark II with fixed and zoom lense |
Imagery and SfM data collection |
2 |
GigaPan Epic Pro V with tripod |
Imagery and SfM data collection |
1 |
|
DJI Osmo 3-axis Gimbal and 4K Camera |
Imagery in motion |
3 |
|
Insta360 One 360 degree camera |
360 degree imagery |
5 |
|
WonderPole |
21-foot and 30-foot long extendable pole for range during image capture |
2 |
|
Brinno BCC200 Time Lapse Camera |
Time lapse video camera for imagery |
2 |
|
Applied Streetview (car mounted) |
360 degree imagery while driving - create streetview imagery similar to Google streetview |
1 |
|
Flir C3 Thermal Camera |
Thermal imaging and damage assessment |
5 |
|
Aerial targets and preprinted targets |
Used with surveying and imaging equipment as reference markers for SfM |
1 |
|
Site Characterization |
Seismometers |
Ground motion data, horizontal-to-vertical ratios for fundamental frequency analysis |
6 |
ATOM Wireless Seismic Data Acquisition System |
Ground motion data, shear wave velocity structure using MASW or passive techniques |
1 |
|
Ground Investigation |
Hand Operated Dynamic Cone Penetrometer System |
In situ soil density, strength, stiffness, and penetration rates for engineering characterization |
1 |
Geotester Pocket Penetrometer |
In situ soil strength for engineering characterization |
2 |
|
Schmidt Hammers |
In situ compressive strength of rock or concrete (RockSchmidt and SilverSchmidt) |
2 |
|
AMS 3-1/4-inch Basic Soil Sampling Kit (Hand Augers) |
Soil collection for engineering characterization through field or lab tests (hand auger kit) |
1 |
|
Coastal |
Z-Boat 1800 with Single Beam Echo Sounder |
Bathymetric spatial data, underwater imagery, and damage assessment |
1 |
ULB 350/37 Underwater Acoustic Beacon |
Instrument location/recovery for offshore deployment |
10 |
|
DPR-275 Diver Pinger-Receiver |
Instrument location/recovery for offshore deployment |
1 |
|
TruBlue 255 Water Level Gauge |
Water level and storm surge measurements |
20 |
|
Social Science |
Emotiv 14-Channel EEG Headset |
Measure electrical brain activity for human interaction experiments |
5 |
Emotiv 5-Channel EEG Headset |
Measure electrical brain activity for human interaction experiments |
1 |
|
Miscellaneous |
Suaoki 222 Wh Portable Generator |
Power supply/charging of equipment |
2 |
Suaoki 400 Wh Portable Generator |
Power supply/charging of equipment |
1 |
|
Power Inverter |
Power supply/charging of equipment |
15 |
|
Walkie Talkies |
Field personnel communication |
5 |
|
RapPack |
Includes: |
Grab bag of essential natural hazards reconnaissance items, including for safety and first aid, localized 1D and 2D measurements, hand level surveying, and damage assessment. |
5 |
EQUIPMENT CATEGORY |
NON-DEPLOYING EQUIPMENT |
TYPES OF MEASUREMENT / USAGE |
# OF UNITS |
Computing |
Rapid Server |
Short-term storage of data collected by RAPID users (long-term storage will be on DesignSafe) |
2 |
Data Processing Desktop |
For processing imagery, point cloud, and surveying data, and performing SfM analysis. These have Leica and Maptek geomatics software, Pix4D and Agisoft Photoscan software, and other RAPID equipment software, as well as basic programs, such as office. |
2 |
|
Visualization |
Computer Automated Virtual Environment (CAVE) |
For visualizing and additional exploration of point cloud data (both lidar and SfM). Can interact with the data and continue to perform damage assessment, including taking measurements, after returning from the field. |
1 |
3D Printer |
For visualization and modeling of 3D data for demonstration or learning purposes |
1 |
It’s not too early to start planning on using the RAPID’s resources, by incorporating these data collection methods into your research and proposals in the near future. User rates and fees for use of the equipment and RAPID staff are posted on the Resource tab. For guidance on equipment use for current research or proposals please contact the RAPID. Note that software included with various pieces of equipment is not listed. Some software, such as I-Site, and Cyclone can be used for processing lidar data from multiple sources. Other software, such as Pix4D and PhotoScan is also available for processing SfM data.