The Construction Science and Engineering Center (CSEC) is a space for applied research to support the goals of local and national sponsors. Past project budgets have ranged from under $1,000 to over $90,000, with durations from one day to two years. All work is planned and conducted by MSOE faculty and students.
Recent Examples Include:
Cold-formed steel slip track
This set of tests and associated analysis helped the sponsors develop a design guideline for a critical link in the successful application of steel stud exterior walls. Assemblies were loaded to simulate the effect of lateral pressure on a common slip connection.
Structural connections in glass
A "bullet-proof" box enclosed the specimens for tension tests of steel-to-glass connections. Results are helping a client develop innovative wall systems in which even the structural "back-up" elements are glass.
Steel column tests
A new load frame was designed for this series of tests of 23-foot tall steel columns with axial loads to 100,000 pounds. The sponsor learned about the effect of initial damage on column capacity.
Embedded anchors in precast concrete
In a series of tests embedded anchors are subjected to shear, tensile and combined shear and tensile loading. The results of the testing program will assist engineers in designing wall panels subjected to wind and gravity loads.
Timber Rivet Evaluation
This two-year study of a timber fastener included partnering with the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) in Madison. The project included testing to establish design parameters for important wood species and to support development of an alternative design model.
Recycled Wood Aggregate for Masonry
The Wisconsin Department of Development and the Wisconsin Concrete Masonry Association funded this project to develop a concrete block that uses waste wood as a lightweight aggregate. The project team developed basic mixtures in the lab and then moved to a commercial block plant for trial production runs.
Aluminum truss design guidelines
Design criteria and a structural design program were developed for the sponsor's aluminum trusses with specialized extrusions and connections.
Axial Load Capacity of Steel Joist-Girder Seats
These tests determined the capacity of welded and bolted connections between a joist-girder and a column cap plate. The results will help in the development of a design standard for joist-girders with end moments.
Energy for Rock Crushing
A local sponsor needed data to calibrate rock-crushing equipment. A series of compressive tests on rock and other samples provided the necessary information.
For more information, please contact:
Dr. Douglas Stahl
Director of Construction Science and Engineering Center
Tel (414) 277-7308
Fax (414) 277-7415