T&D LOGGERS: More than just for TEMPERATURE! (Episode 3) – Noise and Vibration Measurement at Construction Sites

Note: Names of organizations, offices, departments, etc. in the article are as of when the article was first published.

Many people know “Ondotori” as a data logger for recording “temperature” from its name which includes the word “ondo” or temperature in Japanese.

In Japan, our data loggers are often referred to as “Ondotori”. “Ondo” here is Japanese for “temperature” and “tori” expresses a “thing that takes”, so a “thing that takes temperature”. But the name “Ondotori” when using different Japanese characters means to take a leadership role.
The name reflects our wish to take a leadership role in the world of data loggers.

Although not as well known as our temperature loggers, there are several models in the Ondotori-Series that can measure and record data other than temperature.
Using a wide variety of sensors, these models measure and record voltage, current (4-20mA), and pulse signals.
They can record these values as noise (dB), wind speed (m/s), rainfall (mm), etc…. Furthermore the measurements can be recorded and saved to the cloud for easy monitoring of these values; making them useful across various industries.

In this article, we will introduce how T&D voltage, current (4-20mA), and pulse loggers are used to measure noise and vibration at construction sites.

We visited Shimadzu Techno-Research Inc. in Kyoto, Japan, and spoke with the deputy director Mr. Doi, Mr. Takeshige, and Mr. Matsue about why they decided to use our loggers.
Shimadzu Techno-Research Inc. was established in 1972 as a company specializing in analysis by Shimadzu Corporation, itself a pioneer in the field of scientific analysis. In the environmental business, Shimadzu Techno-Research Inc. is one of the largest analysis and research companies in Japan and a leading provider of a variety of solutions.

Q: First, can you tell us a little about Shimadzu Techno-Research Inc.?

Mr. Takeshige
Our company is divided into three main divisions: the Environmental Division, the Pharmaceutical Life Science Division, and the Testing and Analysis Division, which evaluates and analyzes products and materials.
Originally, a large part of our business was in the environmental field, but we also conduct various tests in compliance with reliability standards for pharmaceuticals, as well as various tests related to new materials and composite materials.
The Environmental Division, where we are located, analyzes environmental pollutants such as dioxins, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and other substances down to extremely small amounts.
In the past, people used substances that were thought to be safe for the environment, but later found out that they were actually bad for the environment, and now in today’s world we are busy taking measures to correct this and so for example, we strip paint from structures and analyze its composition.

Mr. Matsue
As a concrete example, the other day, in order to analyze the composition of the bridge over the moat at Nijo Castle, we floated a boat on the moat to collect the necessary samples.

Q: In what ways are you using T&D data loggers?

Mr. Takeshige
Well, for example, we use them to continuously measure and record noise and vibration at large scale incinerators and during building demolition work.

――Is it mandatory to continuously measure noise and vibration during construction?

Mr. Takeshige
There are of course various regulations, but we don’t necessarily have to measure continuously.

What was originally just an appeal to show companies were being considerate of the surrounding environment is gradually being written into work specifications as an actual requirement, and so construction contractors are now asking us how they should approach the issue.
It is inevitable that noise and vibration will be generated during construction, but since noise and vibration are easily noticeable, construction site owners are particularly concerned about doing their best to not disturb the neighbors.
From the point of view of how to dispel the rather negative image of construction sites, we not only measure and record noise and vibration, but also disclose the values to the public in real time using digital signage and LED display boards. By making such information available and visible to the public, those doing the actual construction will be more conscious and considerate of their surroundings.

However, no matter what the data is, if complaints are received from neighbors it is bad for the company.
Within the service we provide, we sound a precautionary warning alarm when a value is about to exceed the set regulated value for a certain period of time. If the supervisor at the construction site determines complaints may be generated if construction work continues at this level, he or she may suggest that a break be taken or that work be slightly reduced, or if there is an overlap in equipment operation, they will try to minimize noise and vibration by managing the construction process.

Q: Which type of loggers are being used?

Mr. Takeshige
We use T&D’s RTR505B (+VIM-3010), which can measure voltage, in combination with sound level meters and vibration meters from other manufacturers.
Most of the sound level meters and vibration meters can output their measured values (db) as voltage values (V), so we use the RTR505B to record these values.
Since most demolition sites do not have network facilities, the data recorded by the RTR505B is sent to T&D WebStorage Service (free cloud service) via the RTR500BM Base Unit with 4G connectivity.
The data sent to T&D WebStorage Service is periodically downloaded into our own environmental monitoring system using the API provided by T&D.
Construction workers can also use our monitoring system to view and make reports on noise and vibration trends.
At the same time, as I mentioned earlier, we also use digital signage and other means to disclose the values in real time.

There were some concerns about disclosing noise and vibration levels, as it didn’t seem beneficial. However, by disclosing those values in real time, or by informing the public in a bulletin board describing the process that “there will be work next week that involves loud noise,” we can help demonstrate that the company is trying its best to be considerate by showing that they are temporarily inconveniencing, but not ignoring their neighbors during the construction process.
This is surprisingly important to Japanese companies and people, who use our service as a tool to connect with the outside world, rather than shutting it off.
The people at the construction site do not want to bother others with the construction, but they have to do it because it is necessary. Noise and vibration during construction are unavoidable, but if the company says, “Please just bear with us for this one week,” the surrounding neighbors can think, “If it’s just for one week….OK”.
But even if it is the same construction work and for the same period of time, if construction goes ahead without saying anything, people will wonder, “When will this be finished?” or “How long do I have to endure this noise?”
We aim to provide services that support our clients in carrying out construction smoothly while maintaining good relations with the community.

As part of this effort, we have also made improvements to the LED displays used to show noise and vibration levels at construction sites. In the past, red LEDs were predominantly used, but red often conveys a sense of warning, which could cause unnecessary concern even when the numbers are low. Therefore, we considered the psychological effects of color and opted for white LEDs. White does not leave a strong impression on observers and helps them calmly accept the displayed values.

In addition, in the field of continuous measurement and scientific analysis that we are engaged in, many of the measuring instruments in their shape form and function are large and bulky. However, T&D’s voltage module (VIM-3010) has a rounded, gentle egg-shaped design that gives a user-friendly impression. Whether intentional or not, this design conveys approachability and encourages users to think, “Why not give it a try?” This made it easy for us to introduce it to customers by simply saying, “It’s easy to use; just place it here on the site.”

――The rounded shape gives a sense of gentleness and security.
Here at T&D we consider design to be very important part of our products. We strive to create products with the concept of eliminating unnecessary functions, creating something that is not difficult to use, and creating something interesting that does not exist in today’s world. We are very happy to get praise for our design!

Mr. Takeshige
Not only the appearance and shape, but also the concept or idea is very interesting, I think.

In our industry, the measuring methods are defined by official standards to ensure that the results are always consistent, no matter who performs the measurements. Because of this, there is little room for innovation without facing severe pricing disadvantages with our competitors.
Within this tough economic environment, we have customers who want to use the measured data more proactively. They ask things like, “We would like to expand the number of environmental variables that are monitored and use all this data in conjunction to improve the conditions at and around the work site.”
That said, we must challenge ourselves and find innovative ways to meet those customer needs, even within these tough constraints.

Q: Why did you choose T&D’s Ondotori loggers for the continuous measurement of noise and vibration?

Mr. Takeshige
For the continuous measurement of data, doing it via wired communication has always been of a higher priority.
Wireless always carried with it a negative image of poor communication and errors, so the basic method was always using wired communication. Our company demands accuracy, so we had always used wired data as our basic method of measurement.
However, there is a limit to wired systems, and the larger the site, the more difficult it becomes to run hundreds of meters of cable.
The needs of an increasing number of sites have become greater and higher, and we have had to turn down their offers on a number of occasions.
We had mainly been using PLCs and loggers from other companies, but they could not meet the growing needs of the field. We had reached the limit of what we could do with wired systems, and we were wondering what we should do.

At that time, we were working together with the Kankyo Gijyutsu Center Co., Ltd., a company we still work with, on a continuous measurement project. In the process, I learned that T&D was a group company with Kankyo Gijyutsu Center Co., Ltd.
Then, I suddenly remembered that I had been allowed to use T&D Ondotori loggers when I was a student about 30 years ago.
I thought about it and wondered if I could do better if I consulted with T&D. So I talked with them and learned that they had a wireless data logger that could measure not only temperature, but also voltage and many other elements. I thought that if that were the case, I might be able to do it wirelessly using T&D loggers, and that’s how it all started.
At that time, we were undertaking a site for continuous measurement, and it was very hard work just to connect the wires, and there was no power supply at the site to begin with. We were very reluctant to take members of other departments with us and wire them up.
We also thought that the T&D loggers might be able to upload data to the cloud, so we looked into it and found that it was possible, and that was the beginning of our wireless conversion.

――In 2024, we have celebrated the 30th anniversary of the launch of Ondotori. So, you have been using Ondotori since the very beginning!

Mr. Takeshige
At the time, I was working in a university lab on a field experiment for the Ministry of the Environment, and the assignment given to me by my assistant professor was, “How does one understand that mountain?”
We worked very hard to get the temperature at a certain point, but the assistant professor asked us, “How do you explain that mountain with just this data?” The assistant professor said, “I have some interesting pieces of equipment, let’s use these loggers just for fun”, as he gave me some T&D Ondotori loggers.
He didn’t really tell me anything about why we were using them or anything about the Ondotori loggers.
I drove up into the mountains with my assistant professor, and as the elevation increased, we would bury the loggers in the ground at different elevations. I asked, “What if you can’t find them later?” And he would say, “Well, it’s okay if a few get lost or broken.”
A year later, we went back to dig them up and found that data had been measured and recorded. I was impressed by the ease with which a large amount of data readings could be obtained for each elevation.

When you go out into the field, you can usually only analyze a small portion of data.
The amount of data is by far the most important factor in how to expand the data and make it convincing enough to be incorporated into the field. Accurate data of course has power, but I realized that the number of data readings was also very important from now on. But at that time, there were no such devices that could provide a large data capacity.
Nowadays, everyone seems to be competing for the largest data capacity, or at any rate, the collection of large amounts of data, but that is just a recent phenomenon. It’s my guess that the people who created Ondotori loggers probably had some idea that this would be a selling point 30 years ago.

――Thirty years ago, data loggers were expensive and data was generally recorded on paper.
At that time, we released an inexpensive “Ondotori” logger that could measure, record, and convert temperatures into data, and the measured data could be graphically displayed on a PC.
Because it operated on batteries, it became easy to readily acquire a lot of data under a variety of conditions.

Mr. Takeshige
Rather than accuracy, the number of data readings and its visuals were quite convincing. At the time, there were few methods to obtain such data, so in a sense it was quite a shocking encounter to be able to obtain such trustworthy and convincing data.

Once again, the design and concept of the product is amazing.
I think it is amazing that T&D decided to create such a product in the first place.
As I mentioned earlier, as a student, I was not given any explanation about the concept or design of T&D loggers. But when I tried it, I found it interesting, and I think that’s what’s so great about it.
I think it is impossible to explain the beginning of the design process. By the time you can explain it, other companies also come up with the same idea. At that time, I was reminded of the greatness of being the first to create something.

Mr. Matsue
When we conduct environmental surveys, it is up to the person in charge to decide which equipment to use, but many people, especially young people, select T&D loggers without us saying anything about them.
They often say, “With one of these, all I have to do is connect it to the measuring instrument and the data will be uploaded to the cloud”.

Mr. Doi
I also have about 10 units of TR-73U (loggers that can measure temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure).
I use them to keep track of the environment at the site, as environmental surveys can change their data as conditions change.

Mr. Takeshige
The impact of the name “Ondotori” is also great.
The name Ondotori is so well known that even if another company made a similar temperature logger, it would be difficult to rewrite the Ondotori name.

――In 2024, Ondotori has celebrated the 30th anniversary of its launch.
I think there will be some people who will be learning for the first time that Ondotori is more than just a temperature logger.
For the next 30 or 50 years, we at T&D would like to continue to make not only temperature data loggers, but also products that will excite everyone. T&D LOGGERS: More than just for TEMPERATURE!

Shimadzu Techno-Research Inc.
Shimadzu Techno-Research Inc. Website