Structural Testing Laboratory

The Structural Testing Laboratory was founded in 1920 by a world-renowned scientist, professor of engineering mechanics, prof. Stephan Timoshenko. Since its inception, the activities of the laboratory have been associated with scientific research and teaching, as well as cooperation with the industry. These activities include experimental testing and research of materials, structures and structural elements as well as structural models. Different mechanical properties of materials used in civil engineering are investigated such as strength (compression, tension, bending, shear), modulus of elasticity, shear modulus, Poisson’s ratio etc. Types of experimental tests performed are material toughness, hardness and fatigue tests as well as testing of materials under multiaxial stress state. Residual stresses and strains are determined experimentally in materials and structural elements as well as the effects of creep and shrinkage of materials. The activities in the Laboratory are mostly related to the experimental testing of structures under static and dynamic loading in view of short-term measurement campaigns but also long-term Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) systems.

Since 2013 the Structural Testing Laboratory has been accredited according to the standard HRN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2007 for testing of construction products. Testing of concrete in structures, masts and poles, steel for the reinforcement of concrete, thermoplastic pipes, bridges, concrete sleepers and bearers and railway fastening systems is within the scope of the accreditation.

Laboratory activities:

• Determination of mechanical properties (examples: fracture mechanics of concrete, strength of polymer laminate, FRP composites, masonry buildings, timber elements, elastomeric bearings)
• Static and dynamic testing of prefabricated elements (examples: punching strength of flat slabs, bending of RC elements (DIC method), bending of laminated timber beams, experimental study of construction products, testing of manholes, beams and slabs reinforced with FRP bars, masonry walls under shear loading, thin-walled Z-section beams)
• Fatigue testing of prefabricated elements (example: recycled steel fibres in concrete elements)
• Proof load testing of structures (example: load testing of roof structures)
• Static and dynamic load testing of bridges (examples: Sava railway bridge, damaged railway bridge Sava-Jakuševac, dynamic load testing of bridges, testing of big arch bridges)
• Testing of concrete sleepers and railway fastening systems
• Non-destructive testing of materials (example: measuring vibration damping level on rail track structures)
• Visual inspections, damage detection and assessment of structures
• Experimental determination of dynamic parameters of structures (example: damage identification)
• Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) systems on structures (examples: heritage buildings, monitoring of special civil engineering facilities, Diocletian's Palace in Split)

Laboratory management:                                                       Location of the Structural Testing Laboratory

Associate professor Ivan Duvnjak, Head of the Laboratory                                   iduvnjak@grad.hr;    01/4639 603

Associate Professor Domagoj Damjanović, Head of the Laboratory Deputy            ddomagoj@grad.hr;  01/4639 601

Associate Professor Marko Bartolac, Quality Manager                                          mbartolac@grad.hr;  01/4639 694