Dept. of Civil Engineering
Mail: 416 Yates Street
Deliveries: Nedderman Hall 417, 416 Yates Street
The University of Texas at Arlington
Arlington, TX 76019-0308
Advanced Geomechanics Teaching and Research Laboratory Equipment and Facilities
The Advanced Geomechanics Teaching and Research Laboratory facilitates the early exposure of civil engineering graduates to basic and advanced concepts of soil mechanics and its applicability in the analysis/design of geotechnical infrastructure.
Laboratory Head: Laureano Hoyosi, Ph.D.
Equipment
Accelerometer Resonant Column Device
Accelerometer Resonant Column Device from Structural Behavior Engineering Laboratories (SBEL), including a dual-channel FFT dynamic signal analyzer from Stanford Research Laboratories (SRL), suitable for measuring small-strain stiffness properties of soil materials, including shear modulus and damping, under isotropic stress conditions.
Thermo-controlled Resonant Column Device
Thermo-controlled Resonant Column Device from Geotechnical Consulting & Testing Systems (GCTS), including self-contained bender elements, suitable for thermo/suction-controlled testing of dynamic properties of unsaturated soils. A model PCP-15U pressure panel allows for implementation of the axis-translation technique. The electrical servo-motor actuator allows for application of torsional loads with a +/– 23.3 kN-m (peak) capacity and 300-Hz frequency range, including a model SR-DF-FO-250 fiber-optics proximitor probe for shear-strain amplitude measurements, as well as a model HTC-250 convection heaters, Omega Type K thermocouples, and 120V immersion heaters for thermo-controlled testing of soils up to 70°C.
Thermo-controlled Ring Shear Device
Thermo-controlled Ring Shear Device from Geotechnical Consulting & Testing Systems (GCTS), suitable for the assessment of peak and residual shear strength of unsaturated soils under virtually unrestrained torque via axis-translation technique, including vertical loads up to 8000 N and monotonic torque up to 113 N-m. A model PCP-15U pressure panel allows for suction control via axis-translation through a full set of HAE ceramics affixed to the bottom annular platen. A custom-made thermal band adapted to the outer wall of the bottom platen allows for thermo-controlled testing of soils up to 70oC.
Thermo-controlled Cyclic Simple Shear Device
Thermo-controlled Cyclic Simple Shear Device from VJ Tech, suitable for thermo-hydro-mechanical testing of unsaturated soils for a large range of cyclic shear strain amplitudes (0.001% to 1%) and a wide range of controlled suction states and simultaneously controlled thermal conditioning of the pore-fluids. The system features a digital convection heater adapted to the main cell of the CSS core system for thermo-controlled testing of soils up to 70oC.
True Triaxial Device
True Triaxial Device suitable for suction-controlled multi-axial testing of unsaturated soils via axis-translation technique. The apparatus is a mixed-boundary type of cell, with the sample seating on a 5-bar or 15-bar ceramic and between five flexible membranes on the remaining sides of the cube. External hydraulic pressure is generated by a model PCP-5000-UNSAT pressure control panel, with independent control of major, intermediate and minor principal stress. Model DC-750-5000 Macro Sensors hydraulic pistons are used for measurements of positive (compression) and negative (extension) deformations of the sample in all three principal directions. The core cell was manufactured at UC-Boulder while its suction-controlled capabilities were implemented at UTA.Administration
Melanie Sattler, PhD, PE
Dr. Syed Qasim Endowed Professor and Chair
NH 406
Shih-Ho Chao, PhD, PE
ACPA Tom Wheelan Endowed Professor and Associate Chair for Research and Graduate Studies
NH 407
Arpita Bhatt, PhD
Associate Professor of Instruction, Associate Chair for Student Success
NH 336