Structural/Solid Mechanics Laboratory

The Structural/Solid Mechanics Laboratory in Fitzpatrick Hall includes a 25 kip-in four-point beam bending apparatus to conduct pure bending tests. In addition, a closed-loop pressurization system capable of supplying hydraulic pressure up to 10,000 psi has been developed to work in conjunction with the testing machines above. As an example, it can be used with the bending machine to test tubular products under bending and internal pressure. The lab also contains high speed photography/interferomtery equipment capable of taking pictures upt to 2 million frames per second. Of course, two air guns for supplying impact loading of materials and structures are available. In addition, facilities for Hopkinson bar testing of materials, both in compression and torsion, are on hand. And, the capability for manufacturing composites is available. Finally, the laboratory houses a computer-based data acquisition system which includes a 20 channel A/D converter and other peripherals to store and manipulate the information obtained in the experiments.

Direct comments, questions, and corrections to amedept@nd.edu