5. Basic User Instructions
Begin by testing to make sure your probe is working. With the probe/junction box plugged in, click "run" in the T3 Interactor Portal. This should show pressure and temperature data with tiny variations.
2. Start with about 2L of water in the 6L bucket.
3. Add sand into the water slowly until the sand is on top of the water and dry. Be careful not to move the bucket while filling it up with sand, otherwise the experiment will need to be re-started.
4. Place the wire mesh on the dry sand, and the beaker (with sand in it) on top of the mesh. The mesh will act as a foundation to keep the beaker from falling on its side. The weighted beaker will represent a structure such as a house or other building. Try to get the mesh and beaker level on the sand.
5. Insert the probe into the sand. Part (or all) of the probe has a waterproof coating over it. This is clear and rubbery. The pressure sensors (white round sensors that stick up) do not have the coating, but are also waterproof. Check to see where the waterproofing coating ends on your probe. Be sure that parts of the probe without waterproofing do not get wet.
6. Either secure the probe to the side of the bucket with the provided velcro or get help holding the probe in place.
7. Once the probe is inserted, click "run" on the T3 interactor to begin collecting pressure and temperature data from the probe.
8. Move the 6L bucket from side to side to simulate an earthquake.
9. Once the phenomenon has been demonstrated, export and save the data as a .csv file.
10. Check with your instructor for specific lesson plans and deliverables.
Other things to try:
Repeat the experiment multiple times.
Set different sand and water levels.
Use different types of sand.
Use different foundation configurations (no foundation, foundation with pillars, pillars inserted to different depths...).
Results will likely vary depending on how much water and sand you add, how hard and/or fast you shake the bucket, the type of sand, the foundation, etc. See if you can detect patterns on how the results change relative to how you mechanize the experiment.
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