Education

  • Ph.D., Civil Engineering, Univeristy of Missouri-Rolla

Structures Research Lab

The University of Utah Structures Laboratory at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering has the capability of performing axial, eccentric, and quasi-static cyclic loading of large specimens. The laboratory has two main load frames: (1) three-dimensional frame capable of testing components up to 16 ft high with load in three directions up to 500 kips in each direction (Fig. L1); (2) tower frame capable of testing large column components up to 20 ft high to a maximum load of 2,000 kips in compression and 1,500 kips in tension (Fig. L2). In addition, the laboratory has a 16 ft drop hammer facility (Fig. L3).

Major Equipment

The major equipment in the laboratory includes five actuators that operate under an MTS control and pump system:

  • Actuator with capacity of 2,000 kips in compression and 1,500 kips in tension and a stroke of 24 in.
  • Actuator with capacity of 500 kips in tension and compression and a stroke of 30 in.
  • Actuator with capacity of 250 kips in tension and compression and a stroke of 24 in.
  • Two actuators with capacity of 120 kips in tension and compression and a stroke of 20 in. 
  • Drop hammer. The load frame can drop a 1 kip steel weight from a clear height of 3 to 16 ft.
  • INSTRON 400 HVL. A universal testing machine used for tension, compression, bending and flexure, and shear tests. The INSTRON 400HVL has a range of 450 kips.
  • Two data acquisition systems: (a) 120 channel data acquisition system with 80 strain gauge channels; 20 displacement transducer channels; 20 linear variable transducer/inclinometer channels, and            (b) two 200 channel data acquisition systems with the 150 strain gauge channels; 30 displacement transducer channels; 20 pressure plate transducers.

In addition, the laboratory has available several linear variable differential transformers, string potentiometers, and extensometers.

Three-dimensional Steel Load Frame (Figure L1)

Specimen clear dimensions: Height = 16 ft, Horizontal 20 ft × 10 ft.

The frame is capable of resisting this load of 500 kips in the three orthogonal directions.

 

Figure L1. Three-dimensional load frame.

 

Axial Load/Biaxial Bending Moment Tower (Figure L2)

The load frame is equipped with a vertical actuator with a capacity of 2,000 kips in compression and 1,500 kips in tension, with a stroke of 24 in.

Tower dimensions: Height 38 ft, plan 7 ft x 7 ft. Specimen clear dimensions: Height = 20 ft, Horizontal

5 ft × 5 ft.

Figure L2. Axial load/biaxial bending moment tower.

 

Drop Hammer (Figure L3)

Clear Dimensions: Height = 18 ft, Diameter = 16 in.

The load frame is capable of dropping a 1 kip steel weight from a clear height of 16 ft.

Figure L3. Drop hammer.


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