At Structural Mechanics we have a long tradition of studying mechanical properties of various materials and structural components. Studies include properties of wood, paper, fibre and composite materials, as well as properties of glued joints and engineered wood products (glued laminated timber, cross laminated timber).

Materials studied also include concrete, fibre reinforced composites, structural glass and elastomers like rubber. Typical topics include testing of material strength, stiffness and fracture energy, load bearing capacity of components and joints and dimensional stability during drying.

In-house expertise

The Structural Mechanics lab can provide equipment and expertise in mechanical testing of various materials, including quasi-static testing, fracture mechanics, dynamic tests, fatigue and vibration testing. The results are typically used to evaluate the characteristics of different materials, components or joints or to validate material models or other types of models of real structures.

User skill requirements

A basic knowledge of how to use the equipment is expected, but not mandatory. A brief introduction to the equipment is included. Staff members are available for assistance depending on your specific requirements.

Equipment

The department has access to advanced measuring equipment such as a servo hydraulic tensile test machine, accelerometers, load cells, shakers to provide dynamic loads and the possibility of performing non-contact measurement (digital image correlation, DIC).

Typical customers/users

Companies and others who want to measure mechanical properties such as strength, stiffness or fracture behaviour in a vast number of materials and applications such as for example screwed joints and wooden beams, glass panes, wind turbine blades, bird feathers and seashells.

Fees

Information about the lab fees and lab access is available upon request

Insurance and safety

The instruments in our lab are very sensitive and expensive, therefore we expect users to have insurance. All users must sign a safety agreement before entering our premises and using the equipment. Please contact the lab for more information.