| Unit name | Experimental Methods |
|---|---|
| Unit code | CENGM0063 |
| Credit points | 10 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Crewe |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Department of Civil Engineering |
| Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
This unit comprises three elements: 1) Background theory for experimental design, vibration monitoring methods, soil element testing, instrumentation and basic data processing, 2) Laboratory sessions in the geotechnics laboratories, 3) Laboratory sessions in the earthquake laboratory. The unit will enable student to understand the basic principles behind structural vibration and soil element testing and be able to setup experiments, collect, analyse and interpret the data.
On successful completion of the course, the students will be able to:
ULO 1. be able to design simple experimental tests using appropriate scaling laws
ULO 2. understand the types of instrumentation, signal conditioning and acquisition systems available to researchers
ULO 3. be able to construct soil sample and manipulate various fabrication procedures
ULO 4. be able to set up a series of soil element testing apparatus, understand the involved physical variables and their reduction
ULO 5. be able to characterise soil behaviour over a wide range of strains from small to large strains.
ULO 6. be able to do basic data processing of vibration data collected from structures
ULO 7. understand and be able to apply methods for ambient and forced vibration testing of structures
ULO 8. be able to do hammer tests and analyse the data
ULO 9 understand the principles behind shaking table testing
UL0 10 understand the seismic qualification test process and have an awareness of a number testing specifications
Lectures covering the background material and two [three of the four] laboratory sessions as follows:
1) Measurement of mode shapes, natural frequencies and damping ratios of a model multi-storey building and comparison with an FE model using hammer or free vibration testing.
2) Testing of buildings on the shaking table to assessment of the performance of TMDs and base isolation as vibration control methods.
3) Set up of measurement system and instrumentation for typical soil physical variables
4) Set up of various soil element testing apparatus
5) Measurement of small strain and large strain soil parameters
The students will also be able to attend any ongoing experimental tests and qualification testing in the earthquake and soil mechanics laboratories
Student Input
12 hrs of lectures (6 x 2hr lectures)
18 hours of Laboratory sessions (6 x 3hr sessions)
70 hrs private study
100% examination
Please note that regular formative feedback will be provided through teaching activity such as simple exercises and optional activities.
Structural Modeling and Experimental Techniques, Second Edition. Harry G. Harris, Gajanan Sabnis. 1999. CRC Press. //www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/9780849324697ISBN 9780849324697
Structural vibration and damage. R J Steffans. 1974. //www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0116705280ISBN 0-11-670528-0
Structural Testing Part 1, Mechanical Mobility Measurements (br0458). Bruel & Kjaer. Available online at //www.bksv.com/media/doc/br0458.pdfhttps://www.bksv.com/media/doc/br0458.pdf
Structural Testing Part 2, Modal Analysis and Simulation (br0507). Bruel & Kjaer. Available online at //www.bksv.com/media/doc/br0507.pdfhttps://www.bksv.com/media/doc/br0507.pdf
Fratta, Dante, Jennifer Aguettant, and Lynne Roussel-Smith. Introduction to soil mechanics laboratory testing. CRC press, 2007.
Wood, David Muir. Soil behaviour and critical state soil mechanics. Cambridge university press, 1990.
Wood, David Muir. Geotechnical modelling. Vol. 1. CRC Press, 2003.
