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Construction Laboratory
We drive innovation in construction and civil engineering by providing high-precision structural tests and advanced material analysis.
Structural strength tests
This laboratory is designed for full-scale testing to determine the characteristics of materials and structural components, which requires the use of high loads applied via oleo-hydraulic actuators. In order to absorb the forces generated, we use highly resistant, non-deformable structures: a load-bearing slab and a reaction wall. These components can be used to apply different load scenarios and precisely measure movements and deformations.
This laboratory is designed for full-scale testing to determine the characteristics of materials and structural components, which requires the use of high loads applied via oleo-hydraulic actuators. In order to absorb the forces generated, we use highly resistant, non-deformable structures: a load-bearing slab and a reaction wall. These components can be used to apply different load scenarios and precisely measure movements and deformations.
- Full-scale structural tests
- Validation of structures not contemplated by regulations
- Polymer-reinforced concrete structures
- Internal reinforcements and external reinforcements
- High-precision regulatory testing
- Verification of force calibrations exceeding 3 MN
- Adhesion between concrete and reinforcing steel
- Concrete containing recycled aggregates and special-purpose concrete (UHPC, LWC, SCC, etc.)
- Application of artificial intelligence techniques within the construction industry
- Aggregate expansion in concrete caused by alkali-aggregate reaction
- Concrete mixers in various sizes: from small mixers for mortar to large-capacity concrete mixers (250 L)
- Oleo-hydraulic power point: Hydraulic power unit (600 lpm at 210 bar) that supplies all the loading equipment through a high-capacity distribution network
- Data acquisition system:
- Universal modules with up to 64 channels
- Probe modules with up to 32 channels
- Fibre-optic sensor modules with up to 128 channels
- DIC with up to 4 monochrome cameras and 2 high-speed cameras
- Pattern sensors calibrated according to ENAC reference standards
- Hydraulic actuators: different types of hydraulic actuators, with a working capacity ranging from 5 kN to 2600 kN, offering different strokes and capable of being used in both static and dynamic tests
- Universal testing machines: capable of working with and without clamps, from small to large loads, and with high dynamic capacities
- Transport and loading systems: These include hoists, forklift trucks, pallet trucks and two 100 kN overhead cranes, which are useful for handling heavy equipment
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Full-scale tests of complex structures: Testing of beams up to 20 m in length and supports up to 6 m in height under actual operating conditions
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Application of extreme loads: Equipment capable to apply up to 15,000 kN in compression and 10,000 kN in tension
- Triaxial tests: machine for uniaxial and triaxial tests on cylindrical test specimens with confining pressures ranging from 0 to 80 MPa and temperatures ranging from 0°C to 200°C
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Concurrency in trials: Ability to perform multiple tests simultaneously, whether static or dynamic, thanks to the distributed hydraulic system
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Climate control for testing: Chambers that can simulate extreme environmental conditions in terms of temperature and humidity
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Laboratory conditions unique in Spain: Infrastructure and capacity similar to international centres of excellence
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High-precision strain measurement: Advanced technology to detect displacement and structural changes in 2D and 3D
The load-bearing slab and the retaining wall are structures with dimensions of 15 x 24 m² and 10 x 8 m², respectively. Both feature a highly rigid two-cell box girder (4.0 m deep), fitted with anchor holes for the application of loads of up to 800 kN per hole.
Both the slab and the wall provide access to the interior of the box to make it easier to use. The slab features a 4 x 4 m² pit designed to accommodate the high-capacity press used to test vertical structural elements.
SMART BE MORE 3D concrete 3D printer, featuring a continuous feed system, an automatic loading pump, an extruder and nozzles of different sizes, capable of printing objects up to 2 × 2 × 1 m.
High-capacity machine with a capacity of up to 15,000 kN (approx. 1,500 t) in compression and 10,000 kN (approx. 1,000 t) in tension.
It features two actuators for axial and lateral loads and for loads involving significant deformation (over 1 m). It can perform full-scale tests on supports up to 6 m high, beams up to 20 m long, and heavy-duty support structures. This machine is one of the presses with the highest load capacity in the world, with around 20–25 presses of this type currently available (this particular one was the seventh to be manufactured).
The machine is also equipped with tension clamps for loads of up to 5,000 kN (around 500 tonnes).
The investment cost for the acquisition of this press exceeded €2 million at the time.
Shared with the Rock Mechanics Laboratory, it has a load capacity of 4,500 kN (approximately 450 t), incorporating the most advanced technology for structural damage detection and triaxial behaviour in saturated or semi-saturated media via a confining bell with up to 80 MPa internal pressure and up to 200 °C temperature (with all instrumentation in-vessel), along with multiple auxiliary systems for data acquisition and processing.
This machine is unique in Europe, with very few others capable of performing these tasks.
- Highly configurable steel frames to perform slab and reaction wall tests. Made up of up to 4 pillars of high rigidity that are anchored to the slab via its anchor points (spaced 0.8 m apart in both directions). The distances between column centres are 4.8 m in one direction and 6.4 m in the other.
- A self-supporting metal frame mounted on a highly versatile slotted table, designed for small and medium-sized tests with loads of up to 700 kN.
Equipment that measures position, force, pressure and temperature under a wide range of conditions.
Manual and electronic devices for the precise measurement of material deformation.
Technology to detect microdeformations using distributed sensors.
A tool used to record 2D and 3D movements using high-resolution images for static and dynamic testing (high-speed cameras).
They include dynamic models with capacities of 500 kN and 250 kN, and a pseudo-dynamic model with a capacity of 2,700 kN, all featuring load and displacement control.
Instron 8805 1,000 kN dynamic press with 1,000 kN MTS grips and an Instron 8502 universal press (300 kN static, 250 kN dynamic).
It allows testing at temperatures ranging from -10 °C to 60 °C and across a wide range of humidity levels, making it ideal to study the behavior of materials under controlled environmental conditions.
Equipment to prepare test specimens, construct formwork and install sensors.
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