The CESDyn group operates a Structural Dynamics Laboratory at the Department of Civil Engineering. The laboratory was established to conduct research activities and to support teaching in courses related either directly or indirectly to the main working areas of the group (see page Education). The laboratory is mainly based in building 119 and comprises presently following equipment:
- A closed-circuit research and educational wind tunnel (max. 40m/s)
- High-frequency 3-D flow sensors (COBRA probes)
- Large exciters for full-scale dynamic excitation of structures
- Walking platforms for vertical and lateral vibrations
- 50 autonomous tri-axial accelerometers to monitor human and structural motion
- Stand-alone acceleration and wind monitoring systems
- 6-degree-of-freedom high capacity load cells
- Accelerometers with a range of sensitivities (1-g to 200-g)
- High precision laser distance sensors
- Uniaxial pendulum shaking table
- Numerous hydraulic dynamic actuators
- High-resolution and high-speed camera and video equipment
Additionally, a novel Climatic Wind Tunnel (CWT) is under construction to simulate and test ice accretion on bridge cables and the related dynamic structural behaviour. This facility will be located at the Department of Hydro- and Aerodynamic of FORCE Technology. Completion of wind tunnel construction is expected for September 2009 and after calibration and flow specificatoin testing is envisaged to start in spring time 2010.
In particular cases external facilities are used such as the large VELUX wind tunnel facility or the NRC altitude icing wind tunnel in Ottawa, Canada.