212 Ketter Hall, North Campus, Buffalo, NY 14260-4300    http://www.civil.buffalo.edu  Fax: (716) 645-3733 Tel: (716) 645 2114, X 2400

CIE616    EXPERIMENTAL METHODS IN STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING

H O T  N E W S

OLD NEWS

INSTRUCTOR:
TEXT BOOK 
REQUIREMENTS 
GRADING POLICY:
NOTES:
MORE  INFO:  

Class List and Groups

HOMEWORKS-PROJECT:
  
HWK#1
HWK#2 + Data + Lab + Background
HWK#3 + Data + Test Data
HWK#4 - Load Cells  
HWK#5 - HybridSim
HWK#6 - NOT ASSIGNED
FINAL PROJECT -NOT ASSIGNED

GRADES
   #1 Mid Term Exams
   #2 Final Grades

LECTURES:

Introduction
Lecture 01 Slides 01 Chapter 01
Modeling and Similitude
Lecture 02 Slides 02 Chapter 02
Data quality and processing
Lecture 03 Slides 03 Chapter 03
Test-Planning
Slides 04
 Basic Load
Slides 05 Related References
Advanced Load
Slides 06A
Slides 06B
Slides 06C
Related References PPT
Instrumentation and Monitoring
Slides 07-1 
Slides 07-2 
Principles of Data Acquisition
Slides 08
Data Management
Slides 09      p

HANDOUTS
MatlabPresentation
DaDISP Presentation

LINKS:
Load Cells Design
UCB Class

OBJECTIVES:

This course is intended to introduce students to experimental methods, test planning, model preparation, loading systems, instrumentation, data acquisition and data processing.  The course covers aspects of static and structural dynamics problems. Advance methods of testing will include hybrid techniques for substructure testing which combine simultaneous physical and numerical simulations. New testing methods of complex structural systems will be presented.   Elements of modal testing and nondestructive methods will be introduced.  The course provides an overview of laboratory work and is complemented with several “hands-on” applications in laboratory using testing and computing equipment. 

The students will get acquainted with the following subjects: 

     (1)     Similitude, modeling and dimensional analysis (1wk)
(2)     Measurement systems, statistical and error analysis (1wk)
(3).....Test Planning, design and implementation - test protocols (1 wk)
(4)     Structural and Materials testing - steel, timber, plastics, concrete, etc.(1wk)
(5)     Loading Systems - set-ups, loading devices, actuators, control, etc. (2wk)
(6)     Instrumentation - mechanical, electrical, electronic (2wk)
(7)     Data Acquisition - analog and digital (1wk)
(8)     Computerized data processing - numerical and graphical (1wk)
(9)     Data archiving and curating- data quality control (1 wk)

The information in parentheses is tentative duration of each subject. A Tentative Schedule shows more detail subjects.

* INSTRUCTOR:
Professor Andrei M. Reinhorn  (reinhorn@buffalo.edu) 
135 Ketter Hall,  Office Hours: TBA  by appointment
Additional information about the instructor: http://civil.eng.buffalo.edu/~reinhorn

 * BIBLIOGRAPHY:
1 Dally and Riley, “Experimental Stress Analysis,”, McGraw Hill, 1978
2 Harris and Sabnis, “Structural Modeling and Experimental Techniques” CRC Press 1999 ( Prof. Harris web page )
3 Nachtigal, C.L., “Instrumentation and Control,” Wiley & Sons, 1990
4 Reese and Kawahara, “ Handbook of Structural Testing”, Prentice Hall / Fairmont Press 1993
5 Chopra, A, " Dynamics of Structures", Prentice Hall, 2nd Edition, 2001
6 Malhotra and Carino, “Handbook of Nondestructive Testing of Concrete”, CRC Press, 1991
7 Data visualization toolbox from Matlab Link to author of “Visualizing Data”, the source for Matlab’s toolbox.
8 Instructor’s Handouts / Computer Manuals
9 Equipment types and Instrumentation SEESL Lab Manual
10 Good strain gage data source from Micro Measurements Group
11 Guide to strain gage installation is also at Micro Measurements Group.
12 Fiber-optic strain gages is at AS-Overlay web site.
13 Data acquisition and analysis on National Instruments website (go to Resource Library).
14 A very well described and presented P-delta test from Buffalo.
15 SAC Steel Project Test Protocol Document.
16 MTS Corporation shaking table page. Watch the movies!

 * REQUIREMENTS:  

* Prerequisites:   CIE519 completed or consent of Instructor.
* Meetings: Lectures and demonstrations Wednesdays two consecutive sessions of 80 minutes each.
* Labs: 3 hours weekly. Schedule to be set weekly. Subjects and materials to be followed in class will be posted on the website. Please read ahead of class and be prepared to participate in discussions and hands on sessions.
* Homeworks will be lab reports as parts of a comprehensive project, tailored according to your interests. If you do not have a preference, the instructor will assign to you a project. Homeworks and project will be done in groups of two to three students.
* Two individual examinations:
         Final examination May 21,  at 9:00 am will consist of a 30 min presentation of your report (9:00-11:00) in Rm 140 Ketter Hall.    The presentation will be done jointly when each student will present a proportional part from the total presentation.  The final report is due on same day at end of the presentations.   The presentations (ppt) and the report should be submitted electronically to the instructor.

Assignments & weights:

 *All homework and project will be done in groups of three students each. 

* GRADING  POLICY:  (subjected to changes that will be announced in class)

The final grade will be assigned according to the University policies (i.e., A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, F, using a uniform distribution in steps of five points (A=95 and above).  No incomplete grades will be assigned except for serious and well-documented reasons.

* LABORATORY SAFETY:

The safety is of primary concern in our laboratories. You must obey all laboratory rules and wear suitable protective / safety equipment . You must have a three parts instruction on laboratory safety which includes visit to the labs and identification of hazardous areas, and emergency response, a self instruction reading the lab safety manual on the website: http://www.nees.buffalo.edu/ in the Training Button, and finally take a one hour examination with the lab safety officer. The visit to the lab will occur in the first meeting and the examination at the beginning of the following class. Failure to obey the safety rules may disqualify you from completing this class.

You must purchase (if you do not have already) steel toe shoes, and obtain a hard hat and protective glasses for your laboratory sessions. (Your advisor may be able to reimburse you for the expenses of safety shoes.  Hardhats provided by the lab).  When you have doubts about safety issues in the lab ask me or the lab personnel.

* NOTES:

If you have questions, ask them in class or during office hours.  You also may contact the instructor at reinhorn@buffalo.edu

 * MORE INFORMATION will be presented in class during the semester and posted on the WEBPAGE.  Make sure you get it!!!

HAVE  A  GOOD  SEMESTER

For any inquiries please contact our Webmaster