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.