Innovative researchers test bridge loads and research new methods for making structures safer and more cost-efficient in 164 Town Engineering.
The 6,900 square foot structural engineering research laboratory provides an
- 80 by 50 foot main testing area,
- 80 by 25 foot tie-down floor with a million pound capacity,
- 20 ton overhead crane, and
- electronic and computer equipment for controlling experiments and data logging.
Equipment
Major pieces of equipment include
- numerous hydraulic actuators with five to 200 ton capacities and strokes up to 18 inches
- two MTS 55,000 pound capacity structural actuators controlled by an MTS TestStar IIm controller used for large specimen static and dynamic testing
- one 150,000 pound push and 110,000 pound pull actuator with a 24 inch stroke
- four data acquisition systems with reading rates up to 250,000 samples per second
- five remote monitoring systems that can be controlled by modem, cellular, or radio telemetry
Learn about structural engineering research at Iowa State.
Contact
Contact Doug Wood, senior engineering specialist and manager of structural engineering laboratories, 515-294-3768, dwoody
iastate.edu, for more information.