Reproducing the Velador Experiment
Experimental Controls
I currently have plans to use two methods for experimental controls. The first method I will employ is simply introducing controlled variations in measurement timing and instrument location, using a single Velador setup. The second method, also being used by Lance Osadchey with his Setup 2 trial, is to take simultaneous measurements from two independent Velador setups and compare the results. I will not be constructing a second Velador until further into my own project, but Lance has released some preliminary results.
Lance Osadchey's Initial Control Experiment Results
The following raw data is duplicated from Lance Osadchey's web site. The data was taken with two independent Velador setups using the same orientation. Setup #1 uses a 3m wood beam, and is uniformly supported with a wood table. Setup #2 uses a 2m 3" steel pipe beam, and is end supported with two concrete slabs. The length ratio of the two beams is multiplied by the measured displacements of the steel beam to account for increased deflection due to length.
| Steel Beam | Wood Beam | ||||||||||
| Measured | Adjusted | Measured | Adjusted | Measured | Adjusted | Measured | Adjusted | ||||
| Index | Date | Time 1 | x1 | x1' | y1 | y1' | x2 | x2' | y2 | y2' | Length Ratio |
| 0.563 | 21-Mar | 13:31 | 2001 | 0 | 259 | 0 | 984 | 0 | 190 | 0 | 0.6 |
| 0.805 | 21-Mar | 19:19 | 2096 | 57 | 253 | -3.6 | 983 | -1 | 196 | 6 | |
| 1.331 | 22-Mar | 7:57 | 1935 | -39.6 | 191 | -40.8 | 997 | 13 | 195 | 5 | |
| 4.499 | 25-Mar | 11:58 | 1773 | -136.8 | 146 | -67.8 | 1010 | 26 | 335 | 145 | |
| 5.478 | 26-Mar | 11:28 | 1839 | -97.2 | 193 | -39.6 | 981 | -3 | 349 | 159 | |
| 6.347 | 27-Mar | 8:20 | 1762 | -143.4 | 192 | -40.2 | 990 | 6 | 356 | 166 | |
| 7.292 | 28-Mar | 7:00 | 1743 | -154.8 | 179 | -48 | 994 | 10 | 406 | 216 | |
| 7.731 | 28-Mar | 17:33 | 1743 | -154.8 | 247 | -7.2 | 996 | 12 | 421 | 231 | |
| 8.394 | 29-Mar | 9:28 | 1721 | -168 | 231 | -16.8 | 1014 | 30 | 403 | 213 | |
| 9.342 | 30-Mar | 8:12 | 1679 | -193.2 | 260 | 0.6 | 1030 | 46 | 405 | 215 | |
The x axis response and y axis response are analyzed independently.
Graphs of the data show that the end supported steel beam has a equalization period of between two and four days before its behavior stabilizes, suggesting that the steel material is sagging and/or cooling. The y position graph shows that the vertical deflections of the two images begin behaving similarly at day 4.
Comparison of the slope of linear fits for each vertical deflection data set reveals a difference in curve slope by a ratio of approximately 130% with the wood beam experiencing the greater relative deflection. Because there are so few data points and the ratio so small in comparison to ratios of physicial and geometric properties of the two beams, this ratio cannot be confirmed conclusively from this data, and further experimentation is required. However, this strongly suggests that the two vertical data sets are responding identically to the same external influence.
Comparison of the horizontal deflection data sets appears to contradict the preliminary conclusion drawn from the vertical deflection data. The horizontal deflections after equalization of the steel beam are 180 degrees out of phase and vary by a ratio of approximately 200%. The two appear to be responding to the same external influence, but this difference in response is large enough to be accounted for by the difference in coefficients of thermal expansion between the two beams, and the phase difference could correspond to a difference in direction of thermal gradient across each beam. As with the vertical data, the standard deviation of this data set is quite large in comparison to the results, and further experimentation is required.
