"In physical science the first essential step in the direction of
learning any subject is to find principles of numerical
reckoning and practicable methods for measuring some quality
connected with it. I often say that when you can measure what
you are speaking about, and express it in numbers, you know
something about it; but when you cannot measure it, when you
cannot express it in numbers, your knowledge is of a meagre and
unsatisfactory kind." Lord Kelvin [PLA, vol. 1, "Electrical
Units of Measurement", 1883-05-03]
YieldPoint Inc
was founded in 2000 with a mandate to provide innovative sensing
products and monitoring technology for mining and civil engineering
projects. More recently we have become involved in construction and
even residential projects.
YieldPoint’s core
strategy can be summarized in one word – DIGITAL. Today the most
accurate and powerful instruments are built using digital
technology primarily because digital techniques can significantly
reduce the price of these sensors. Furthermore, digital instruments can be
easily networked together so that data can be transmitted over the
Internet, which eliminates the cost of manual readings. Reducing the
price of each reading is important since many geotechnical problems
are “data-limited” by nature.
YieldPoint’s
digital strategy has huge potential in mining situations where high
levels of reliability combined with low measurement costs enable
deployment with realistic levels of redundancy. The digital
information can be transmitted using telemetry, or alternatively,
a miner can read the sensor output directly in mm or
tonnes and relate this directly and meaningfully to safety
guidelines. An effective safety device should provide instant
meaningful information to all concerned, not just a specialized
engineer.
I strongly believe that, through the application of YieldPoint
technology for the monitoring of mining and civil structures, owners
and operators of mines, underground infrastructure, bridges and dams
can cost effectively mitigate the risks inherent in such projects
through a combination of: improved design, managed maintenance and
rehabilitation, avoidance of catastrophes and a generally improved
understanding of structural condition.
YieldPoint personnel will provide a full support service to
engineers and engineering consultants who use our products, and who
may benefit from our assistance right from procurement and planning,
to installation and to basic reporting of the results. However, our
corporate policy strongly differentiates between this role
and that of consultants and engineers who provide engineering
expertise related to issues surrounding design.
A.J. Hyett, Ph.D.
President & CEO, YieldPoint Inc. |