9451838 Makris Instructive experiments in Structural Engineering are to be conducted by undergraduate students in the Department of Civil Engineering and Geological Sciences. The scope of this project is the development of laboratory course in experimental structural engineering in order to expose students to modern methods. Too large-scale experiments will be conducted. The first experiment is associated with the Reinforced Concrete Design course and is the study of the behavior of a reinforced concrete column under static and cyclic loading. Students will measure quantities of significant importance in structural analysis and design, such as initial stiffness, yield point, ultimate strength, dissipated energy, member ductility and stiffness deterioration. The second experiment is associated with the Reduction of Natural Hazards course and is the study of determination of damping of a structural component. Students will conduct oscillatory tests at different frequencies to extract the dynamic mechanical characteristics of structural component. A capstone project will complete the course. The objectives in offering the course are twofold: a) to increase the physical understanding of students, about structural behavior, in a systematic and comprehensive way that will support and clarify their theoretical knowledge, and b) to familiarize them with current experimental techniques used in the state-of-the-art industrial and academic laboratories.
