Civil and Structural Laboratory

The Civil and Structural Laboratory in the Mappin Building is one of the most significant heavy-duty testing spaces dealing with civil engineering areas like bridges, skyscrapers, and tunnels. 

Key features of the lab

• The "Strong Floor": This lab has a heavily reinforced concrete floor which allows researchers to bolt down steel frames and use massive hydraulic jacks to simulate the weight of a high-rise building or a heavy truck crossing a bridge. 
• Seismic testing: One of the interesting parts of this lab is its ability to simulate earthquakes: researchers build scale models of buildings or dams and use "shake tables" to see if they would collapse during a tremor. 
• Concrete & materials tech: The lab features specialized areas for casting and curing concrete. 
• Blast & impact testing: This lab helps design "bomb-proof" buildings and protective infrastructure. 

Much of the work here is dedicated to Structural Health Monitoring. Scientists use sensors to "listen" to bridges and buildings, catching cracks before they become visible to the human eye. This research directly influences how the UK manages its aging infrastructure.