![]() ![]() Three firms – WSP, Thornton Thomasetti and Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc. ![]() An observatory engineering and safety team was formed.A team from the observatory and UCF have been meeting with more than 40 experts in the area of suspension cable fabrication and installation, structural analysis and forensic investigation.“We are extremely grateful to the continued support we’ve received from the AO community.” “Bottom line, we are making significant progress towards restoring the operational capability of this historic facility,” Cordova said. The AO team is diligently working on this, which includes a detailed project execution plan, and a cost estimate for these repairs. The NSF has asked the observatory team to develop a supplemental proposal to cover the costs of these analysis, immediate facility stabilization efforts, and completion of engineering evaluation and design for the repair necessary to return to operational status. An order for a replacement auxiliary suspension cable has also been placed and is expected to be on site by middle of December in addition to its matching pair, and two temporary cables to be utilized in the repair. These sockets were identified to be problematic as cable/socket separations were observed to be beyond acceptable thresholds. The friction clamps will be installed at two backstay cable locations and are meant to bypass the cable load as a precaution in case these cables fail at their sockets. An order for temporary friction clamps has been placed. The NSF has completed the review of a temporary repair plan.All of this will enable the team to assess the condition of the structure as we move forward. The instrumentation includes strain gauges, tilt meters and eventually will include an Acoustic measurement device. This is necessary to monitor the condition of the structure to help us minimize the risk to our staff working on and in proximity to the structure. Over the last week we initiated the installation of an instrumentation system, which will continually monitor the condition of the structure.The forensic investigation will also include evaluation of the failed cable and eventually, the socket that is still attached to the platform. It is expected that this work will be complete by the end of October. Experts at the center will conduct nondestructive analysis and tests in conjunction with the forensic engineering firm leading the investigation. 28 the hardware was shipped to Florida for forensic evaluation at the NASA Kennedy Space Center. The socket that was involved in the failure was removed on Sept.A complete safety assessment plan has been developed, making sure that quantifiable measures of structural integrity and capability are captured before crews are allowed to perform temporary repair work in those areas.These surveys were necessary to calculate actual loads on the cables, and properly calibrate the structural model. Cable sag surveys were completed for all auxiliary cables.The model has enabled us to better understand margins of safety and capacities for the existing structure and to take appropriate action in repair plans as installation of temporary repairs and further assessment proceeds. A full structural model has been developed for the Arecibo Observatory platform, towers and suspension cables.“Our staff, as well as the external firms that have been hired are working diligently to understand the cause of the failure and make plans on how we can return the telescope to normal operations as soon as possible.” “We continue to make progress, but the process is slow, as we develop a comprehensive plan for facility repairs while prioritizing the safety of our staff,” said Francisco Cordova, the director of the facility. UCF manages the NSF-facility under a cooperative agreement with Universidad Ana G. While no cause has yet been determined, the AO leadership team is working closely with the National Science Foundation (NSF), which owns the facility, to implement a plan to first stabilize the critical structural elements of the facility and to initiate a full forensic investigation of the cause of the cable failure. Today marks 30 days since the Arecibo Observatory went offline, because an auxiliary cable broke and damaged the dish and Gregorian Dome.
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