The Newmark Structural Engineering Laboratory (NSEL) of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering has a long history of excellence in large-scale, experimental structural research and over the years has contributed greatly to the state-of-the-art in civil engineering. The structural testing section of the laboratory is a versatile area with a three-story clear height that can be used to carry out a wide range of tests of building materials, components, structural assembles, and models. Included in the testing area is a twenty-eight foot tall, L-shaped reaction wall and multi-axial loading units for seismic related experimental research.
An overview of the NSEL and the shop policy and regulations can be found here. All new users to the lab must go through a training process and comply with the NSEL safety rules.
Lab Webcam
Recent Tests and Projects
XXXI International Welding Art Exhibit
The XXXI International Welding Art Exhibit award ceremony was held in the French Quarter of Newmark Building Friday, November 14 at 3 pm. Twenty Three exhibits, fabricated by students from cee400/mse444 were on a display for 5 days. The big winner of this semester contest is CEE student Mark BINHAM and his CHOPPER, which was welded out of steel.
Compresion of Wooden Bridge Piers
Built in 1970s, a wooden bridge collapsed this year in Illinois. A team of researchers from CEE is trying to find a cause of this collapse. Destructive testing of piers taken from that bridge is part of this effort.
Controlled Rocking of Steel-Framed Buildings with Replaceable Energy-Dissipating Fuses
Testing is being performed by Matt Eatherton and Professor Jerome Hajjar on an alternative lateral resisting system. The system uses replaceable fuses which absorb most of the structural damage in earthquake. Repair is relatively easy and less expensive than it would be in conventional lateral resisting systems.
