Instituto de Ingeniería, UNAM > English > Research > Laboratories

Structures and Materials

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This laboratory is part of the
Structures and Materials Department.
It began operations in 1956.
The laboratory is run by
Mr. Abraham Roberto Sanchez Ramirez.
It is located in the
Building 3 "Raul Sandoval Landazuri"
II UNAM. Ciudad Universitaria.

SCOPE

  • Behavior and design of structures exposed to different static, dynamic and deterioration actions.
  • Assessment of structural systems.
  • Development and evaluation of methods for the repair and rehabilitation of structures.
  • Structural safety and durability.
  • Evaluation and characterization of construction materials during construction or during its service life.

ACTIVITIES

Lab researchers have conducted experimental studies of the behavior of structures, determining various aspects of the real behavior of reinforced concrete, steel and masonry elements.

This laboratory has been instrumental in establishing the design and analysis procedures currently enforced, and to validate innovative building systems. An example of this is the Design and Construction Code of the Federal District.

MAJOR WORKS AND RECENT PROYECTS

  • Studies related to concrete technology.
  • Support in building the bridge "El Baluarte" which crosses the river of the same name and flows between the states of Durango and Sinaloa.
    • Checking the quality of steel and concrete.
    • Behavior of connectors to attach the steel reinforcing bars and cables to be used as supporting elements of the superstructure.
  • • Bicentennial Viaduct in the State of Mexico:
    • Structural behavior of brackets and corbels located at ends of precast beams.
    • Load tests in a typical section of the road.
  • Testing of new masonry materials, as well as historical buildings.
  • Testing of footing-column connections for the second floor of the Periférico of Mexico City.

EQUIPMENT

  • A 6x11m rectangular testing slab of reinforced concrete .
  • Reaction wall composed of twelve modular reinforced concrete blocks 1.5x1.5x1.0 m.
  • Steel frames for load application of different types and shapes.
  • 15t crane, with a4.5 m effective height.
  • Dynamic actuators with stroke lengths from 75 to 300 mm and capacities ranging from 50 to 100 t.
  • Static test jacks with capacities ranging from 10 to 500 t for the application of tension and compression forces.
  • MTS load frame with a capacity of 25 t for fatigue testing.
  • Universal testing machines with capacities of 10, 100 and 200 t.
  • Equipment and facilities to determine the mechanical properties of common building materials.
  • Instruments and apparatus for conducting physical tests of materials.
  • High-tech equipment for nondestructive testing: videoscope, penetrating radar and 3D laser scanners.
  • High precision optical devices to measure deformations, displacements, velocities and accelerations.
  • Data acquisition systems for laboratory and field use.
  • Permanent instrumentation in three structures for the study of their behavior in real earthquakes.
  • Other equipment for the development of structural tests.
  • Closed-box truck with a 3.5 t load capacity equipped as a data-recording center for conducting load tests.