“Australasia’s largest test hall facility” is quite a claim. Welcome to the Structures Test Hall at the University of Auckland. This isn’t just any building. It’s a powerhouse of engineering innovation.
The Structures Test Hall opened in 2015. It is located on the Newmarket campus. It is a world-class facility. The hall is used for structures and earthquake engineering experiments.
Inside the Structures Test Hall prepare to be amazed. The test hall spans 900 square meters. A 14.5m high roof covers the area. Two 10-tonne overhead gantry cranes service the space. They lift and move massive test components with ease.
At the east end, find the delivery and specimen preparation area. Large roller doors provide access. The strong floor and walls dominate the central portion. Shake tables and a 500kN fixed load frame sit at the west end.
The strong floor measures 20×10 meters. The strong wall is 20 meters long. At one end, it soars to 9 meters high for 10 meters. Then, it steps down to 5 meters high for the remaining 10 meters. A smaller 9-meter-high return wall enables bi-directional loading.
The 9-meter-high strong wall can withstand immense force. It has a design overturning moment of 6600 kNm/m. Its shear capacity is 945 kN/m of wall length. A basement below the strong floor provides anchoring and services.
Two shake tables simulate earthquakes. The larger table measures 3.6 x 3.6 meters. A 260 kN actuator drives it. It can subject a 15-tonne payload to dynamic loading. This includes recorded ground motions up to 1.5g. A smaller table is ideal for scale testing.
Hydraulic actuators apply controlled forces. The Structures Test Hall has an extensive hydraulic system. It powers the servo-controlled actuators. A hydraulic power unit delivers 600 L/min at 3000 psi.
Sensors monitor every test. An expandable data acquisition system handles hundreds of channels. It records data at high speeds. Load cells, LVDTs and strain gauges measure structural responses. Advanced techniques like photogrammetry are also used.
The Structures Test Hall also houses supporting labs. A materials testing laboratory measures 115 square meters. It is temperature controlled. It contains machines for small-scale specimen testing. A concrete laboratory handles mixing and preparation. It also has curing facilities.
Designed by Jasmax Architects and BGT Structures, the building is more than meets the eye. Four 350mm thick precast concrete shear walls provide lateral load resistance. UC steel frames add seismic restraint. The foundations use driven piles and bored piles.
The “Strong Wall” is a highlight. It can withstand a base moment of 6,600KNm/m. Full-sized structures up to 3 stories high can be tested here. Fixing points throughout the platform allow for any testing geometry.
The Structures Test Hall is a place of discovery. Engineers push the boundaries of structural knowledge here. The next time you’re in a building remember the unseen forces tested within these walls.