Facilities - Large Structural Testing Facility
A
Major Achievement
In August 1993, the University of Maine Civil & Environmental
Engineering Department completed construction of a new large scale
structural testing facility. This 1800 square foot structural
reaction floor, the first of its kind in New England, allows for
structural testing of full scale bridges, as well as other large
structural members. It is a substantial achievement for the
University, making it much more competitive on a national level
Versatility, Strength, Flexibility
The strong floor is a 30 feet wide, 65 feet long, 4 feet thick
reinforced-concrete slab containing approximately 29 tons of #9
(1-1/8 inch diameter) steel reinforcement and 290 cubic yards of
5000 psi concrete. Embedded in the surface of the concrete are 60
anchor boxes, spaced 5 feet on center, that have a holding
capacity of approximately 35 tons each. Each anchor box contains
two 1 1/4" diameter threaded rods that extend vertically through
the entire depth of the slab to a square plate at the bottom.
These anchors act as the support mechanism for the steel reaction
frame, the columns of which bolt onto the threaded rods.
The purpose of the reaction frame is to act as the overhead
support system for a hydraulic loading jack which pushes
vertically downward on top of the bridge being tested. The frame
has been designed to withstand a load of 200 tons. The frame is
adjustable in nearly every direction allowing for a great deal of
flexibility in the size or type of bridge being tested. This
facility is not only capable of performing traditional static load
tests in a variety of configurations, but also fatigue tests and
any desired dynamic tests.
First Test a Success!
The first bridge test in the new facility occurred on November
17, 1993. The successful test of this 46 foot span, stress
laminated truss bridge was a major achievement in the ongoing
research to develop timber as a viable alternative to Maine's
deteriorating bridge infrastructure. As more tests are being
planned for the future, the full potential of the facility and its
benefits to the University of Maine have yet to be realized.
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