T.U. Experimental evaluation of structures

• Characterization and experimental study of structures and structural elements for building and civil works.
• Monitoring of structures.
• The Unit has one of the most important infrastructures in the sector: the Mechanical Testing Laboratory.

• Laboratory aimed at the experimental characterization of structures and structural elements.
• Testing laboratory accredited by ENAC with accreditation Nº 1194/LE2280.

The Laboratory has a multidisciplinary human team with extensive experience and training to carry out experimental studies of structures.

The laboratory has recognized experience in carrying out mechanical tests in the field of structural engineering, including full-scale structural elements. Perform, among others:

Accredited tests:

• Homologation tests of components for railway infrastructure. (Test laboratory accredited by ENAC with accreditation No. 1194/LE2280).

Other tests

• Verification tests of prefabricated structural elements (reinforced and prestressed beams and joists, slabs, columns or panels) in order to determine their mechanical characteristics and behaviour under different stresses.
• Dynamic and fatigue tests of structural, support or fixing elements (anchors, neoprene) and others of the railway industry to determine their useful life or the evolution of their mechanical characteristics over time (sleepers, blocks, plates and fastenings) .
• Reproduction of reinforced concrete elements built “in situ” in order to verify their structural behaviour and obtain information on failure mechanisms.
• Collaboration with other research groups that develop R&D activities within the field of new materials and their application to the construction industry, both in reinforcement of structures and in the design of new construction elements.
• Monitoring of structures in situ and in the laboratory.
• Instrumentation of mechanical tests and equipment calibration.

PRICE TABLE

The laboratory is equipped with two large labs equipped with cranes, mobile steel frames and hydraulic infrastructure that allows the application of loads on a full scale and in multiple configurations. It also has two other labs for the characterization of test tubes and materials. Among its equipment stands out:

• Labs with concrete slabs with anchor points of up to 1000 kN.
• Universal dynamic testing machines from 100 kN to 1000 kN with control by force, displacement and deformation.
• Test benches and static actuators from 100 kN to 10000 kN and dynamic ones from 50 kN to 630 kN.
• Static traction-compression presses up to 3000 kN.
• Servohydraulic control desks of 250 Bar and 350 Bar.
• Permanent installation of quality control tests for slabs.
• Data acquisition and conditioning systems for force cells, deformation transducers, cracks, dimensional, pressure, temperature, humidity, vibrations, angle, torque, electrical measurements, etc.
• Fibre optic interrogator (FBG) for strain gauge measurements.
• 200x digital microscope for dimensional measurements.
• ICP accelerometer conditioning system.
• Climatic chamber of 500 l capacity.
• Salt fog chamber.
• Thermal simulation tests with temperatures up to 300 ºC.
• Strength and dimensional patterns.
• Data processing and analysis software.

1. Bending test of composite beam
2. Testing of a prestressed concrete element
3. Deep foundation (pile) test
4. Sleeper test
5. Large diameter tube test
6. Adhesion test of steel bars in concrete (“beam-test”)
7. Ballast test with sand
8. Test of a sandwich panel

U.T. Evaluación Experimental de Estructuras
Instituto de Ciencias de la Construcción Eduardo Torroja
C/ Serrano Galvache nº4
Madrid 28033

Contact mail: soniamdm@ietcc.csic.es