Ready-to-use data acquisition systems are expensive and usually not suitable for customizing. However, advances in computer hardware and software technologies have resulted in multi-purpose modular hardware components and rapid software application development platforms. These hardware components and application development platforms can be used to design and build efficient and inexpensive data acquisition systems. The hardware and software components of such user-assembled systems can be re-used.

This paper describes the design and development of a Real Time Strain Data Acquisition System (RTSDAS). The RTSDAS was designed and developed at the Kansas Accelerated Testing Laboratory (K-ATL) of Kansas State University for acquiring and digitally recording real time readings from stain gages embedded in asphalt concrete. The strain data acquired by the RTSDAS is being used for evaluating the pavement structure for critical stress/strain and for the development of the relationship between the critical stress/strain and pavement performance in terms of fatigue cracking and rutting. Typical time-history data collected during testing and recorded by the RTSDAS at various stages of deterioration of the pavement are also presented.

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