Laboratories

Structural Mechanics Testing Lab

Located at: ISTB2, Room 155, (480) 965-6906

The Structural Mechanics Testing Laboratory is a facility for Mechanical properties of structural systems and materials.

Undergraduate mechanical testing
Tension, compression, bending, shear, Impact, fatigue, high speed testing.
Stress analysis
Failure analysis
Crack growth characterization. Fracture tests for toughness determination
Full scale structural testing
Materials testing per ASTM specifications
Computational mechanics and finite element modeling and verification.
Durability studies

Several state of the art closed loop uniaxial and biaxial systems for testing of materials and structures are available. These test machines are rated from 450 N to 500 kN (100 lbs – 110 kips) in axial force capacity and are computer controlled. Recently, a high speed testing system has been upgraded with closed loop control, computer automation, and digital data acquisition. Facilities include hardware and software systems in digital controller technology, instrumentation for displacement and strain measurement, multi-channel data acquisition, digital data processing software, and a strong floor for full-scale structural testing and earthquake simulation. Experiments such as fracture, creep, fatigue, impact, and cyclic loading can be conducted on various materials and structures.

Integrated Mechanical Testing Laboratories

Located at ISTB2, (480) 965-4361

The Integrated Mechanical Testing Laboratory is a facility for mechanical properties of materials.

Undergraduate mechanical testing lab
Tension, compression, bending, shear, Impact, fatigue, residual stresses, high temperature testing
Variety of materials such as metals, ceramics, plastics, composites
Stress analysis
Vibration testing
Failure analysis
Materials testing per ASTM specifications
LabView Programming and Instrumentation Interfaces

Several state of the art closed loop uniaxial test systems for testing of materials and structures are available for general testing purposes. These test machines are rated from 450 N to 89 kN (100 lbs – 22 kips) in axial force capacity and are computer controlled. Recently, a 12,000 in-lb torsion machine has been added to the IMTL and upgraded with closed loop control, computer automation, and digital data acquisition. Facilities include hardware and software systems in digital controller technology, instrumentation for displacement and strain measurement, multi-channel data acquisition, digital data processing software, and a strong floor for full-scale structural testing and earthquake simulation. Environmental chambers exist for testing specimens from -100ºF to 3,000ºF. Experiments such as fracture, creep, fatigue, and cyclic loading can be conducted on various materials and structures.

Characterization techniques using light microscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis are also available through the Center for Solid State Science and the Materials Institute.