Large Structures

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Staff in the College of Engineering & Informatics at NUI Galway have many years experience in design and conducting full-scale testing of structural components and systems to static , dynamic and cyclic loadings. This is complemented with a strong competency in numerical modelling of these systems. NUI Galway has a 375 m2 state-of-the-art high-bay Structures Research Laboratory, the largest of its kind in the Republic of Ireland. 

Full-scale structural testing of composite, reinforced concrete and metallic ocean energy structures, including structural testing of tidal stream blades under fatigue and static loading – in accordance with IEC and ISO standards, assisting blade manufacturers to achieve industry certification.  The structural test facility may also be used to provide motive power to test power take off systems for wave energy devices.  A large reconfigurable test frame (10m x 6m 6m) along with multiple servo hydraulic actuators up to 750 kN) allow a very flexible test approach. The advanced actuator control system allows for a wide variety of load or displacement sequences across multiple actuators, which is suitable for static and fatigue testing. Data acquisition of up to 136 independent high speed channels can be carried out simultaneously; displacement, force, acceleration, strain and other types of sensor are available to configure the test.