Skip to Content

Changes for page Field Deployment Guides

Last modified by KB on 2025/08/12 12:18
From version 25.1
edited by Jack Dent
on 2025/06/12 12:23
Change comment: There is no comment for this version
To version 31.5
edited by robert
on 2025/07/23 15:25
Change comment: There is no comment for this version

Summary

Details

Page properties
Title
... ... @@ -1,1 +1,1 @@
1 -Field Guides & Best Practices
1 +Field Deployment Guides
Author
... ... @@ -1,1 +1,1 @@
1 -XWiki.JackD
1 +XWiki.robert
Content
... ... @@ -1,69 +6,74 @@
1 -= **Seismic Station Setup** =
2 -
3 -Conducting fieldwork for a seismic station setup involves a series of meticulous steps and considerations to ensure accurate and reliable seismic data collection. 
4 -
5 -
6 6  (% class="row" %)
7 7  (((
8 8  (% class="col-xs-12 col-sm-8" %)
9 9  (((
10 -= **Site selection and preparation** =
5 += Site selection and preparation =
11 11  
12 -* (((
13 -Choose a location with minimal noise interference and away from urban areas, traffic, and industrial activities.
7 +(((
8 +* If possible, choose a location with minimal noise interference and as far away from traffic and people as possible. Try to keep your station out of sight to avoid theft or tampering. The site should not be installed in a place where people would ever stumble upon it (e.g. a walking trail or public area).
9 +* Nearby Trees, bushes, power poles etc can induce low period noise in your data when they sway in the wind. A rule of thumb is to have your sensor at least as far away from these as their height.
10 +* Cattle and stock can and will destroy your site and our instrumentation. NEVER **EVER** install a station where cows can get to it because they //will// get to it and they **WILL** destroy it.
11 +* If the area looks like a place that has flooded, or may flood again, absolutely assume that it will. This very much includes dry riverbeds or ponds. Always prefer locally elevated terranes.
12 +* The harder the soil, the better the signal. Sand and mud are your enemy.
13 +* Grass can often grow high enough to block your solar panel from sun. If possible, clear an area in front of the panel to minimize this possibility.
14 14  )))
15 -* The site should be geologically stable and representative of the area's seismic characteristics.
16 -* Accessibility and security of the site are also important factors.
17 -* Conduct a detailed survey of the site, including topographical, geological, and geophysical assessments.
18 -* Prepare the site by clearing vegetation and levelling the ground.
19 19  
20 -= **Installing Sensors** =
16 += Installing Sensors =
21 21  
22 -* Bury seismometers at an appropriate depth for noise reduction and stable ground coupling, typically 0.5-0.8 metre depth.
23 -* Ensure the sensor is levelled correctly, typically the sensor can be placed on a well levelled paver to make this easier.
18 +* Bury seismometers at an appropriate depth for noise reduction and stable ground coupling, typically 0.5-0.8 metre depth but deeper the better.
19 +* Ensure the sensor is leveled correctly, typically the sensor can be placed on a well leveled paver to make this easier.
24 24  * Orient the sensor correctly using a compass, paying special attention to the north direction and accounting for declination.
25 25  ** When using a compass to orient the sensors, ensure it is kept away from metal objects or structures that could interfere with its magnetic field.
26 -* It is recommended that the following sensors be installed with a PVC tube covering to prevent corrosion and other environmental degradation:
27 -** TC-120
28 -** TC-20
29 -** 3D lites
22 +** It is recommended to take a picture of the sensor's orientation next to the compass.
30 30  * Hold the sensor or sensor covering securely while infilling and compacting the hole to ensure the setup is kept in the correct position (level and oriented).
24 +* Burial styles can vary depending on sensor type, soil, wetness/humidity and the duration of the experiment. See the **Sensor Protection** section below for more detail.
31 31  
32 -= **Setting up Data Logger** =
26 +== Importance of locking sensor feet ==
33 33  
34 -* Install data loggers or recorders compatible with the sensors.
35 -* Ensure adequate storage capacity and configuration for the desired sampling rate and data format. Generally:
28 +The Trillium Compact 120s and 20s sensors have three adjustable feet for leveling. It is **critical** to "lock" these feet in place by spinning the locking disk upwards towards the sensor, as tight as possible. This reduces "wobble" which shows up in both low and high frequency signal. It is also a good idea to keep the length of the three feet as small as possible to maximize stability.
36 36  
37 -64Gb card: 245 days @ 250hz or 610 days @ 100hz
30 +[[image:TC20_feetlocked_vs_unlocked.png||alt="Figured showing how unlocked feet can amplify fake noise and rattle" data-xwiki-image-style-alignment="center"]]
38 38  
39 -32Gb card: 122 days @ 250hz or 305 days @ 100hz
32 += Setting up Data Logger =
40 40  
34 +* Install data loggers or recorders compatible with the sensors.
41 41  * Establish a reliable power source, such as solar panels, batteries, or local grid connection. Use a compass to align solar panels facing north in the southern hemisphere for optimal sunlight exposure.
42 42  * Set up a GPS antenna to provide accurate time synchronization for the seismic data.
43 43  * Ensure the GPS antenna has a clear view of the sky for optimal signal reception.
44 44  * Calibrate sensors and data acquisition systems for accuracy.
45 45  * Test for sensitivity, noise levels, and overall performance.
46 -* More information for logger setup can be found on the 'ANU Seismic Data Loggers' page.
40 +* More information for logger setup can be found on the [[ANU Seismic Data Loggers>>doc:Instrumentation.ANU LPR-200.WebHome]] page.
47 47  
48 -= **Fire safety measures and documentation in seismic station installation** =
42 += Setting up Fencing =
49 49  
50 -* In bushfire-prone areas, clear a wide perimeter around the installation to reduce fire risk.
51 -* Use fireproof blankets to cover equipment, providing an additional layer of protection against fire damage.
52 -* Install a metal net over the entire setup to shield it from external elements
44 +* You'll have to know a priori where north is as that is where you want to point the solar panel towards //(in the Southern Hemisphere, anyway)//
45 +* Pound in the star picket fence post well away from the sensor hole, and slightly north of it. You will want to then put the fence through the star picket so that it is on the NORTH side. This lets techs "flip up" the fence from behind for easy access.
46 +* Use wire to secure the fence to the post and also the solar panel to the fence.
47 +* Place the solar panel as high on the fence as possible to reduce any interference from grass and weeds. When securing the solar panel to the fence with wire, make the wire as tight as possible to reduce "rattle" in the wind. Test yourself. It's usually a great idea to use a pair of pliers to make the final twist in the wire so that it is **really tight**.
53 53  
54 -* Document the installation process, including sensor types, orientations, locations, and system configurations, along with fire safety measures implemented.
49 += Fire safety & Security Measures =
50 +
51 +* In bushfire-prone areas (e.g. everywhere in Australia), where possible a wide perimeter around the installation to reduce fire risk. Assume the area WILL catch on fire~-~- will your site be OK?
52 +* Use fireproof blankets to cover equipment. This also keeps the loggers clean and keeps dirt our of the card slots etc. Fire blankets are also permeable, unlike tarps, which avoids trapping rainwater around the logger attracting ants, centipedes, snakes, and other insects/animals.
53 +* We also recommend burying the data loggers with some dirt as this keeps them cool, further reduces the chance of fire damage, and keeps people from snooping around in them.
54 +
55 += Metadata & Site Logs =
56 +
57 +* Documenting site installs and service information is not just a good idea, but **REQUIRED** as part of your ANSIR agreement. You are expected to take proper site logs.. trust us, it's for your own good. Failure to do so may result in ban for future loans.
58 +* Document the installation process, including sensor types, **serial numbers**, orientations, high quality latitude/longitude coordinates, elevation, and system configurations, along with fire safety measures implemented.
59 +* Draw a map or at least take a google maps screenshot with some drawn annotations so others can find the site.
55 55  * Record essential metadata for seismic data interpretation.
56 56  
57 -= **Sensor protection** =
62 += Sensor protection =
58 58  
59 59  Sensors can be covered with a PVC pipe to help prevent degradation of the components (i.e. sensor casing and cable connections), however, some sensors are made for direct burial (no protection). When installing a sensor, only use these two options. Do not try to protect the sensor via any other means such as a plastic bag or moisture absorbers & desiccants.
60 60  
61 61  (% class="box errormessage" %)
62 62  (((
63 -DO NOT: bury the sensors with anything other than a PVC housing or direct burial. Other methods may damage the equipment more than protect it.
68 +DO NOT: bury the sensors with anything other than a PVC housing or direct burial. Other methods (especially using a plastic bag!!) may damage the equipment more than protect it.
64 64  )))
65 65  
66 -= **Step-by-step field installation guide (with images)** =
71 += Step-by-step field installation guide (with images) =
67 67  
68 68  
69 69  (% border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width:800px" %)
... ... @@ -122,7 +122,7 @@
122 122  
123 123  = Experimental Sand Burial: =
124 124  
125 -Direct burials are used for Trillium Compact Postholes as they are specifically designed to be corrosion resistant. Other sensors such as the Trillum Compact 120, Trillum Compact 20, and 3D Lites are not built with this degree of corrosion resistance. Currently, the best prevention for moisture trapping and corrosion is burying them with a PVC covering. However, in particularly wet environments, some moisture can still collect within these coverings. One experimental method that is being trialled in hopes of providing better drainage is the sand burial. Steps 1, 2, and 3 remain the same, though once the sensor is set with the correct levelling and orientation, the subsequent infill steps differ. Once the open PVC tube is placed around the sensor, infill the hole around the tubing, holding it in place (image A). Once the hole is back-filled level with the tubing, securing it in place, begin filling the interior of the PVC tube with sand. Hold the sensor in place and ensure the sand is packed tightly around it (image B). Once the sand fills the PVC tube, gently remove the PVC tube while holding the sensor in place (pliers may be required to grip the tube). The last deviation for a sand burial from the standard burial is continuing to place some sand above the sensor, and dirt (or other local substrate around that sand pocket) until level with the surface (image C).
130 +Direct burials are used for Trillium Compact Postholes as they are specifically designed to be corrosion resistant. Other sensors such as the Trillium Compact 120, Trillium Compact 20, and 3D Lites are not built with this degree of corrosion resistance. Currently, the best prevention for moisture trapping and corrosion is burying them with a PVC covering. However, in particularly wet environments, some moisture can still collect within these coverings. One experimental method that is being trialled in hopes of providing better drainage is the sand burial. Steps 1, 2, and 3 remain the same, though once the sensor is set with the correct leveling and orientation, the subsequent infill steps differ. Once the open PVC tube is placed around the sensor, infill the hole around the tubing, holding it in place (image A). Once the hole is back-filled level with the tubing, securing it in place, begin filling the interior of the PVC tube with sand. Hold the sensor in place and ensure the sand is packed tightly around it (image B). Once the sand fills the PVC tube, gently remove the PVC tube while holding the sensor in place (pliers may be required to grip the tube). The last deviation for a sand burial from the standard burial is continuing to place some sand above the sensor, and dirt (or other local substrate around that sand pocket) until level with the surface (image C).
126 126  
127 127  
128 128  (% style="width:807px" %)
... ... @@ -134,6 +134,13 @@
134 134  
135 135  
136 136  
142 +
143 +
144 +
145 +
146 +
147 +
148 +
137 137  (% class="col-xs-12 col-sm-4" %)
138 138  (((
139 139  {{box title="**Contents**"}}
TC20_feetlocked_vs_unlocked.png
Author
... ... @@ -1,0 +1,1 @@
1 +XWiki.robert
Size
... ... @@ -1,0 +1,1 @@
1 +55.6 KB
Content