Mechanical Testing Lab (BEL 125)
In the Mechanical Testing Lab located in BEL 125, students investigate material behavior through mechanical testing.
Static and dynamic load tests are performed, and material strengths are tested and determined in this lab. Stress-strain relationships are established, and elasticity and toughness are determined. These parameters will indicate the ability of the material to resist loads and determine how the material is going to perform under the actual loading.
In dynamic load tests, the design engineer can predict the performance of a certain facility in service life.
For example, if a pavement is to be constructed of PCC mix, the mix has to be tested to determine its fatigue life in order to estimate how long this pavement will last.
Static and dynamic testing equipment available in this lab are used to conduct some of these performance tests.