Maximum compressive force  4000 kN
Maximum tensile force 2000 kN
Maximum height             3.0 m
Maximum width               0.5 m
Maximum length             3.0 m

High loading capacity of this equipment can be used to test prototype columns of different shapes.  Tests on wall panel, (pre-cast and in situ) and other masonry units with in plane loading can be performed.  

3. Universal Testing Machines:

Capacity:600 kN and 100 kN.

This equipment is used for testing smaller units of structural elements, such as concrete samples, blocks, hollow-blocks, bricks, tiles, etc.

4. Data Acquisition System:

Solartron-Schlumberger 3531D Data Acquisition System.

The laboratory has a very good data acquisition system where input parameters can be controlled easily and output results can be obtained accurately. Each station can handle a total of 100 channels.  Voltage inputs can be digitized, stored and arithmetically manipulated to fit the significant output format. The system can easily handle strain gauges and linear potentiometers.  Other voltage inputs may also be accommodated. The full facility allows for the control of the data logger by the personal computer.  Alternatively, the data logger may be used independently by a local control. Output can be in a tabulated form and/or plots.

The system was used for educational and research purposes at the university in order to demonstrate and study the response of structures to incremental static loads. It was used to read deflections and strains in steel frames, reinforced concrete slabs and beams, masonry walls and perspex ribbed slab models.

The system may be used as a whole for laboratory testing of models and prototypes using the strong floor facilities available in the Structures Lab such as mounting frames, load cells and measuring devices (strain gauges, LVDTS, transducers, etc.). The logger-PC assembly is compact enough to be moved to the sites for outdoor testing.  Also, the data 'logger’ may be independently controlled.

5. Crane:

Capacity: 10 TON.

A crane is available in the heavy structures laboratory.  This can facilitate the movement of heavy structural elements to the test location in the laboratory.  The full scale structural units from factories and construction sites can be taken into this laboratory.

In addition to these testing facilities, the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering can provide expertise in the field of structural engineering in the following areas:

a) Expertise consultancy services in restoration of existing masonry and concrete structures.
b) Static and dynamic analysis of special structures.
c)Design of special structures.
d) Research projects. 

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Compression testing machine; concrete impermeability testing device; concrete coring machine; portable ultrasonic test system; and Schmidt Hammer Type (N).

Equipment Available:

1. Compression testing machine for concrete.
2. 150 mm, 100 mm cube moulds.
3. 100x100x500 mm prism moulds for the flexural test.
4. Ultrasonic testing equipment.
5. Schmidt Hammer.
6. Slump Cone testing equipment.
7. Compaction factor testing equipment.
8. Vebe testing equipment .
9. Complete sets of BS Sieves (fine and coarse).
10. Vicat apparatus for cement tests.
11. Windsor Probe.
12. Concrete coring machine (up to 75 mm diam. Cores).

Functions:

The equipment are used basically for teaching and research activities.  Experiments performed equipment include: 

1. Standard consistency;initial and final setting times of cements and Sarooj.
2. Preparation of concrete and mortar mixes.
3. Testing for compressive strength of concrete.
4. Cylinder splitting test of concrete for the determination of the indirect tensile strength of concrete (Brazilian Test).
5. Flexural test using concrete prisms for the determination of the modulus of rupture of concrete
6. Workability tests for concrete mixes, including slump test, compaction factor test and Vebe Test.

 Industry:

1. Test your aggregates for compliance with standards (sieve analysis for both coarse and fine aggregates).
2. We can test your cement for compliance with standards
3. Design your concrete mix to specific requirements.
4.Test your control samples of concrete (cubes, cylinders, prisms, etc.) for strength.
5.Test your existing concrete using non-destructive testing methods like ultrasonic testing or Schmidt Hammer, Concrete Cores, and Windsor Probe.

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Soil classification; compaction control; permeability determination; odometer device; shear strength with direct shear and triaxial; and slake durability test.

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Traditional surveying equipment; Global Positioning System (GPS); total stations; remote sensing; and Geographic Information System (GIS).

 List of Equipment:

1. Traditional survey equipment levels; Theodolites; Electronic Distance Meters, etc.
2. More modern survey equipment:

• Global Positioning System (GPS) - 2 receivers, Trimble.
• SL 4000.
• 5 channels (good for control fixation).
• Total Stations:  2 Topcon; 1 Sokkisha Total Stations with automatic data recording facility;  software for computation and plotting.

3. Remote sensing  and Geographical Information System; A PC based system with peripherals: 

• Compaq 386/25 MHZ.
• Tape reader.
• Digitizer.
• Scanner.
• Plotter.
• ERDAS and ARC/INFO software.

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The Highway Laboratory is equipped to conduct most of the experimental work needed in teaching Highway Engineering courses, final year students' projects and research.  In addition, some equipment and apparatus in the Concrete and Soils Labs are utilized for the same purposes in testing various materials used in road construction.  The various laboratory equipment and machines are grouped into three main parts based on their functions and the type of materials tested.

Part 1:  Tests on Asphalt:

1) Penetrometer:  For determination of penetration of asphalt cements (consistency test; grading of bituminous materials).

2) Special oven with a rotating shelf: To measure loss of weight due to heating (durability).

3) Ring-and-ball Apparatus: To determine softening point (flow characteristics of asphalt).

4) Ductility Testing Machine: For measuring cementitious properties of asphalt.

5) Viscometers:  Three types of viscometers are available to test the viscosity of different asphalt types at various temperatures.  These are:

• Standard Tar Viscometer,
• Saybolt Viscometer, and
• Kinetic Viscosity Test Set.

6) Cleveland Apparatus: To determine flash and fire points of asphalt, for safety purposes.

Part II:  Tests on Asphalt Mixtures:

1) Marshall Apparatus: with digital readout and graphic plotter for the design of bituminous mixtures.  Field samples can be cored and tested in the laboratory for Marshall properties.

2) Hardness Number Machine:  To obtain the hardness number of mastic asphalt.

3) Skid Resistance Tester:  For determination of skidding properties of asphalt concrete surfaces in the lab. and field.

4) Extraction Test Apparatus:  To verify that correct materials (aggregate and asphalt) have been supplied.

• Hot Extraction Method.
• Centrifuge Extractor (R.ota Test)

5) Binder Recovery Apparatus (Double-Sample Unit):  To determine the amount of binder (asphalt) in the mixture.

 Part III:  Equipment for Testing Road Soils and Aggregates:

1) California Bearing Ratio (CBR): The machine is equipped with automatic compactor to prepare soil and aggregate samples for CBR determination.  The value is an important road-design strength parameter.

2) Los Angeles Abrasion Machine:  For quality control of aggregates used in road construction. 

3) Sand Equivalent Apparatus:  To verify that aggregates used in different layers in road construction satisfy the specifications.

4) All above testing equipment are useful in providing information to clients, consultants and contractors involved in the road design and construction industry. All properties of road materials can be tested, and evaluated; their suitability checked; and design values can be recommended.

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Sedimentation study apparatus; permeability/fluidization apparatus; filterability index apparatus; deep bed filter column; aeration apparatus; atomic absorption spectrometer; total organic carbon; spectrophotometer apparatus; and sound meter level apparatus.

 Laboratory Flocculator:

Analysis of water or waste preparatory for the design of a treatment sequence often involves coagulation and flocculation experiments in the laboratory.  These tests, called jar tests, are widely used for control of plant operations and are routinely performed by treatment plant operators.

• Analysis of optimum coagulant dosage for different test samples.
• Preparation of test records for subsequent selection of treatment.
• Demonstration of principles of flocculation.

Sedimentation Study Apparatus:

The Armfield Sedimentation Study apparatus provides a facility for studying the basic physical processes involved in sedimentation and is, therefore, of interest to students studying chemical engineering, water treatment and other industrial processes involving particle separation techniques.

• Variation of sedimentation characteristics with concentration.
• Variation of sedimentation characteristics with initial height of  suspension.
• Particle size estimation.
• Identification of the various setting regimes. 
• Use of flocculating additives.

Permeability / Fluidisation Apparatus:

The apparatus is designed for students to verify Darcy's Law for flow through packed beds; to examine the components of Kozeny's equation; and to observe the liquid fluidisation behaviour of a granular bed.  The apparatus is suitable for students in civil and public health engineering; soil mechanics; fluid mechanics and groundwater hydrology.  It can also be used for a part of the testing of media for water and wastewater filtration.

• Pressure drop measurements and correlations for flow through packed beds.
• Verification of Kozeny's equation.
• Characteristics of a liquid fluidised bed.
• Measurement of permeability of selected solids.

Filterability Index Apparatus:

The apparatus enables a water quality test to be made on a suspension.  It can, therefore, be used in routine control at a waterworks or at a sewage treatment works, which employs tertiary filtration.  It can also be used by students of civil, public health and chemical engineering.  The apparatus can also be used to determine the changes in filterability of a flocculating suspension and to measure the improvement in tertiary sewage filtration when poly-electrolytes are added to fine suspensions from humus tanks.

• Determination of basic principles of filterability for a given suspension.
• Performance of a standard water quality test procedure for filtration.

Deep Bed Filter Column:

It has been shown that a filter column of 100 mm diameter or more can operate identically to full scale granular deep bed filters providing that the depth and type of needle are 4% the same in both.  Consequently, pilot trials of possible filter designs for water works, sewage works tertiary treatment, and industrial deep bed filtration can be made reliably at a low cost.

• Filtration of a suspension through a granular filtration media.
• Determination of head loss and hydraulic gradient.  Reverse flow fluidisation.

Model Sedimentation Tank:

The extent of particles removal by a settling tank is governed by both the settling properties of the suspended particles and by the flow characteristics of the settling zone in the tank.  This tank is designed to demonstrate and measure the effect of these parameters in a typically shaped model settling system, in order to familiarise students with the problems of settling.

• Flow visualisation of regimes in a settling tank.
• Qualitative residence time distribution determination. Sedimentation efficiency of removal including materials balance.
• Effect of flow rate, weir position, concentration, etc., on sedimentation performance.

Ion Exchange Apparatus:

The process of an ion exchange involves the replacement of ions in solution ions of different species carried on the surface of a solid material.  An ion exchange occurs naturally in many soils, but most ion exchange materials used nowadays are synthetic materials, i.e., polystyrene or phenolformaldehyde resins.  They are made in a great variety, and are widely used in water treatment and industry.

• The exchange capacities of different materials.
• The effect of different regeneration procedures, and hence the most economic combination of softening/demineralisation and regeneration. 
• The design of an ion exchange system can be based on the results of the experiments.

Aeration Apparatus:

The transfer of oxygen from the atmosphere into a body of water is one of the most important processes in public health engineering.  It occurs both naturally, e.g. in the surface re-aeration of a polluted river, and under imposed conditions, as in the activated sludge process.  The reverse process also occurs, e.g. the loss of oxygen to the atmosphere from water supersaturated as a result of photosynthesis, or the release of carbon dioxide or hydrogen sulfide from  groundwater on exposure to the atmosphere.

• Depth of water.
• Water composition (salinity etc.).
• Design and arrangement of diffusers.
• Rate of air supply.
• Rate of stirring.

Corrosion Studies Kit:

This kit uses a number of simple items of equipment in a series of tests, designed to demonstrate to the student how potentially corrosive situations may be recognised and avoided.  Although the experiments refer principally to steel water systems, the apparatus may be used as a test bench for other chemical systems.

• Effect of corrosion rate of pH level.
• Effect of dissolved oxygen concentration.
• Galvanic action
• Electrolytic corrosion
• Cathodic protection
• Chemical inhibition
• Prevention of scaling.

Liquid Phase Chemical Reactor:

One of the most important industrial reactor types is that of the stirred liquid phase reactor, which frequently constitutes the major item in a process plant. This reactor facilitates a range of studies of reactor and reaction behaviour and includes all ancillary equipment, with the exception of the analytical measurement instrumentation necessary to ascertain the composition of feed and product mixtures.

• Chemical kinetic studies.
• Batch or continuous operation.
• Effect of residence time.
• Effect of temperature.
• Mixing effect.

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Seepage tank; rainfall simulation apparatus; sedimentation channel; hot wire anemometer; mobile bed flow visualization channel; pipe surge water hammer apparatus; flow in pipe networks; drag coefficients of particles apparatus; and hydraulic bench.