Advanced Technology for Large Structural Systems

Industrial Testing Program The ATLSS industrial testing program assists industrial and engineering firms of all sizes with testing, research, and development of products and systems by offering technical capabilities that can yield valuable data as well as technical assessments of existing structures. The program utilizes the unique engineering capabilities of both the ATLSS large-scale multi-directional experimental laboratory and the Fritz Engineering Laboratory and the extensive experience of its leadership and support staff to technically address the project at hand. Facilities ATLSS Large Scale Multi-directional Experimental Laboratory The ATLSS Large Scale Multi-directional Experimental Laboratory was dedicated in 1989 as part of the ATLSS National Engineering Research Center established by the National Science Foundation. The primary features of the laboratory are the 102 x 40 foot strong floor and fixed concrete reaction walls, up to 50 feet in height, which encircle three corners of the floor. Multi-directional loads and motions are applied by computer controlled hydraulic actuators to scaled or full size test structures comprised of any material. The laboratory boasts a wide range of instrumentation and data acquisition technologies, in addition to faculty and full-time staff that are available to assist in the execution of a project. A wide range of tests with static, pseudo-dynamic, dynamic, fatigue, impact, and seismic loading can be performed. In 2004, the capabilities of the industrial testing program were enhanced with the addition of the Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) Real-Time Multi-Directional (RTMD) equipment site, which allows for multi-directional real-time seismic testing in combination with real-time analytical simulations, to investigate the seismic behaviour of small and large scale structural components, structural sub assemblages, and systems. Fritz Engineering Laboratory The Fritz Engineering Laboratory has been at the forefront of civil engineering research at Lehigh University since 1909. The laboratory currently features universal testing machines with up to 5,000,000 pound capacities, a dynamic test bed with static and fatigue testing capabilities, and a wide range of test instrumentation and data acquisition capabilities. The laboratory also boasts dedicated faculty and full-time research and laboratory technical staff which are experienced in the development and execution of calibrations, standardized tests, customized tests, and applied research. Resources The AIM program owns a fully equipped field testing vehicle, a Dodge Sprinter S3500 cargo van with high roof and extended wheelbase, which provides extreme mobility and flexibility to respond to project demands upon short notice. This vehicle is equipped with a mobile office and stores a cache of tools, instrumentation, and other supplies regularly required for field monitoring projects. The data acquisition and instrumentation capabilities include: Rugged high-speed multi-channel digital data acquisition systems equipped with advanced signal processing capabilities Rainflow cycle counting for fatigue evaluations Wireless remote sensing Remote data collection Wide array of high fidelity sensors capable of measuring load, strain, displacement, acceleration, rotation, temperature, wind speed and direction Digital video cameras with remote pan, zoom and tilt operations; a 4 channel digital video recorder (DVR) can be configured for continuous video monitoring. Materials Testing Program The ATLSS Engineering Research Center operates a Materials Testing Program, which draws on the resources available in the Center’s Mechanical Testing Laboratory, Metallography and Mircroscopy Laboratories, and Robert E. Stout Welding and Heat Treating Laboratory. Included in these capabilities are 60,000 and 600,000 pound universal testing machines and a Charpy V-Notch fracture toughness testing machine for conducting standard mechanical property tests of metallic, cemenitious, and composite construction materials. Additionally, metallographic sample and material characterization capabilities are available, including hardness and microhardness, light optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. A materials engineer is dedicated to support the program’s technical projects. Real-Time Multi-Directional Equipment Site As part of the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) Program, Lehigh University has established the Real-Time Multi-Directional (RTMD) earthquake simulation facility at the ATLSS Engineering Research Center. The RTMD earthquake simulation facility is a next-generation earthquake research facility for seismic performance evaluation of large-scale structural systems. This facility has advanced experimental and analytical simulation capabilities to test and validate complex and comprehensive analytical and computer numerical models, leading to advances in earthquake engineering and experimental methods. The facility features a multi-directional reaction wall, five dynamic actuators, advanced instrumentation, and a tele-participation system consisting of real-time streaming data and video. Hydraulic power for the servo-actuator system is supplied by a system consisting of five pumps and three banks of accumulators that enables strong ground motion effects to be sustained in real-time for up to 30 seconds. Real-time multi-directional seismic testing of large-scale structural components and systems at the RTMD earthquake simulation facility can be performed using either the effective force method, pseudo-dynamic testing method, or the pseudo-dynamic hybrid testing method. Distributed hybrid pseudo-dynamic testing can also be performed using the RTMD facility in conjunction with other laboratory sites.