Environmental Test Chamber
This facility is a 3600-cubic-foot environmental testing chamber that simulates extreme conditions, including temperature, humidity, rain, and cyclic loads. It features a high-force MTS actuator, advanced climate controls, and Russells Technical Products’ VS-1 software for precise testing. Designed for expansion, it supports solar simulation, rapid freezing, and salt fog testing for large specimens like tactical Humvees.
Fire Testing Facility
The fire-testing furnace is equipped to test structural components such as armor, columns, beams, floor systems etc. under extreme fire conditions to which they would likely be subjected in real life. Using natural gas flame jets from nine burners, the maximum temperature that the furnace can reach is 2,300 degrees F (1,260 degrees C). To gain a sense of civilian housing fire loading, the temperatures in a typical residential/household fire may range from 900 degrees F (482 degrees C) to 1,200 degrees F (649 degrees C). The interior dimensions of the furnace are 22′-3½” × 10′-6″ × 8′-6″ (6.8 m × 3.2 m × 2.6 m).
Army Research Laboratory & Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center
Structural Testing Center
The Structural Testing Center at LTU is one of Michigan’s largest academic testing facilities, featuring two major research areas. The first is a 3600-square-foot structural testing lab with high-capacity steel frames, hydraulic actuators, and advanced data acquisition systems for nondestructive evaluation and torsional testing. The second is a 2500-square-foot environmental testing facility designed for durability assessments, including freeze/thaw, dry heat, and ocean water exposure. It houses specialized chambers, including one built for ASTM 666 freeze/thaw testing of full-scale specimens. This comprehensive facility supports ongoing and future infrastructure research.
At LTU, bridge research takes no summer vacation
SOUTHFIELD—The 2023-24 academic year may be over, but at Lawrence Technological University, groundbreaking research never stops. Or in this case, bridge-breaking research—of the most innovative kind. Last week, a mixer truck full of high-strength concrete delivered several cubic yards of the material to LTU’s Nabil Grace Center for Innovative Materials Research (CIMR). The concrete was placed into a […]
Mackinac Bridge board sees world-class infrastructure research at LTU
LTU Engineering College Dean Nabil Grace (with microphone) explains the bridge beam test to officials of the Mackinac Bridge Authority. SOUTHFIELD–Lawrence Technological University shared its advanced infrastructure research capabilities with the people who run one of the world’s most iconic bridges Thursday. With the Grace CIMR fire chamber in the background. LTU Engineeirng Dean […]
Biomaterials
Lawrence Tech Renames Center for Innovative Materials Research, and More
Lawrence Technological University in Southfield has renamed its materials research lab as the Nabil Grace Center for Innovative Materials Research in the southeast corner of LTU’s campus. Named after the university’s engineering dean, a researcher dedicated to improving the lifespan of bridges and other crucial structures, the building has become a world-leading infrastructure laboratory under […]
Lt. Gov. Gilchrist calls LTU research center ‘incredible’ after visit
SOUTHFIELD—Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II got a first-hand look at the latest advanced technologies in bridge construction Friday during a visit to the Nabil F. Grace Center for Innovative Materials Research (CIMR) at Lawrence Technological University. The visit focused on LTU’s research into using carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) strands in concrete highway bridges […]
LTU, MDOT call carbon fiber bridge test a smashing success
SOUTHFIELD—First there were a couple of cracks and pops, as hydraulic presses bore down with titanic force on a 41-foot-long section of test bridge. Then, a few ominous bangs. Finally, the test bridge collapsed with a resounding kaboom, sending small shards of concrete around Lawrence Technological University’s Center for Innovative Materials Research (CIMR). Nevertheless, Nabil […]
