Experimental investigation is an absolutely necessary investigation tool in the field of civil engineering for development of new products and solutions, or evaluation of performance of existing solutions. Although advanced numerical tools (such as the Finite Element Method) are available, complexity of practical applications does not allow in general a reliable evaluation of structural performance using numerical tools alone. The optimal solution is represented by a combination of numerical and experimental tools, as they complement each other.
There are several types of experimental tests that can be realized in the laboratory, the main categories (in the order of complexity and the necessary technical and financial resources) are: static monotonic tests, quasi-static monotonic and cyclic tests, pseudo-dynamic tests, centrifuge tests, shaking table tests.
Currently, at the laboratory of the research centre CEMSIG (qualified as centre of excellence by CNCIS) has the equipment necessary for static and quasi-static monotonic and cyclic tests (reaction frame, hydraulic actuators, data acquisition and control). The existing reaction frame is limited from the point of view of loading capacity and size of specimens, which are limited to plane assemblies of relatively reduced dimensions.
The project aims at extending the experimental capacity of the CEMSIG research centre, by development of a new facility for tests on large and full-scale specimens. This facility is comprised of a reaction wall and a strong floor and will allow experimental tests on both plane and 3D structures. The existing actuators will be supplemented by two new large-capacity actuators, with hydraulic unit and controller. This new facility will allow quasi-static as well as pseudo-dynamic tests to be carried on, that evaluate seismic performance of full-scale structures by combining experimental quasi-static testing with numerical evaluation of dynamic seismic forces. The reaction wall and the strong floor will be built in an extension of existing laboratory building, that will be endowed with a gantry crane.