The research facility of the Center for Advanced Construction Materials is located in the Engineering Laboratory Building (ELB 111 and 112), University of Texas at Arlington. The 2500 square feet facility houses multi-user, major civil engineering and materials research instruments, and is open to the CACM’s research community, as well as researchers from UTA’s departments of CE and MSE.
Mechanical Testing Systems
MTS Landmark
The MTS Landmark Servohydraulic Test System can be configured for a wide array of tests, including compression, tension, bending, fatigue crack growth, high-cycle fatigue, low-cycle fatigue, durability and more. MTS Landmark test system is ideal for testing a range of materials including concrete, plastics, elastomers, aluminum, composites, steel, super alloys and more. The system includes a Servohydraulic Load Frame (MTS Series 370), load cells up to 500 kN (110 kip), grips and fixtures, extensometers, hydraulic power unit and controller.
MTS Criterion Series 40
The MTS Electromechanical Universal Test System meets a full spectrum of low- to medium-force monotonic testing requirements on specimens ranging from cementitious materials, composites and alloys to thin film plastics in tension, compression, and flexure testing. The system’s load frame design produces reliable, stable, and accurate load, strain and modulus values. The system also includes highly accurate MTS load cells offering high stiffness and stability with low non-linearity, in a wide range of force capacities: 100N, 1kN, 10kN and 30kN (up to 6.6 kip).
3D digital image correlation system (DIC) with data acquisition
system (Correlated Solutions, Vic-3D)
Digital Image Correlation (DIC) is a 3D full-field, non-contact optical technique to measure contour, deformation, vibration and strain on almost any material. The technique can be used with many tests including tensile, torsion, bending and combined loading for both static and dynamic applications. The DIC method can be applied from very small (micro) to large testing areas. The 3D Digital Imaging Correlation System is equipped with two 8.9-megapixel digital cameras with 4096 x 2160 Camera resolution and with Strain resolution of sub-10με and Strain range between 0.005%-2%.
Atomic Force Microscopy
NanoIR Large Sample Spectroscopy System Dimension Icon (Bruker Nano Surfaces)
The NanoIR AFM system is equipped with 4 QSL lasers providing nanoscale IR Hyperspectral capability in the range of 800 – 1800 cm¯¹, needed to identify chemical phases of structural materials and nanomaterials. The system also features Quantitative Nanomechanical (piconewton-nanonewton) and Nanoelectrical (picoampere-nanoampere) property imaging using a sub-10 nm AFM probe. This highly sophisticated system, not yet available
to any other higher education institution in the US.
Cypher ES Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) System (Asylum Research)
The Cypher ES AFM system delivers a combination of highest resolution, fast scanning, and integrated environmental control. It is equipped with a cooling and heating stage (0 – 120 °C) with FFKM seal for liquid or gas environments with perfusion. An electrochemistry perfusion cell enables studies of deposition, oxidation, corrosion, and mass transfer of metals and other materials, while precisely monitoring nanoscale topographical changes. Cypher ES supports not only fast scanning topography imaging, but also AM-FM Viscoelastic Mapping Mode, conductive AFM, and piezoresponse force microscopy, among others.
Computed Tomography
X-ray Nano-Tomography (Nano-CT Scan) System (Bruker)
The nanoscale X-rayTomography System Nano-CT Scan is the latest generation of computed tomography systems enabling nanoscale 3D imaging and non-destructive scanning and reconstruction of the concrete’s internal nano- and micro- structure. The system is uniquely modified by the manufacturer for the Centerfor ACM’s needs by including nano-focus X-ray tubes and the widest range of X-ray detectors for 3D imaging of large concrete elements at an extremely high resolution with a pixel size down to 60 nm. Enabling experimental realization and characterization of concrete’s nanostructure and correlation with its composition and properties using the Nano-CT Scan provides a paradigm shift for designing nanoscale-to-macroscale concrete structures to advance the resiliency, durability and longevity of sustainable transportation infrastructure and promotes the nation’s safety and prosperity.
Rheology/Hydration/Microstructural analysis
Rheometer with Rheo-Raman and dielectric accessories (TA Instruments, Discovery Series-DHR)
The hybrid Rheometer (Discovery Series-DHR, TA Instruments) delivers direct strain and stress control, and normal force measurements. The new Rheo-Raman Accessory allows Raman spectroscopy data during rheology experiments. The rheometer includes accessories for dielectric measurements, such as capacitance and conductance. It can be used to characterize a wide range of materials, phase separation systems and monitor
curing kinetics.
Thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) (TA instruments, SDT650)
The thermogravimetric analyzer (SDT650, TA instruments) can determine sample composition by measuring the weight of each component as it volatilizes or decomposes under controlled conditions of temperature of up to 1500ᴼC.
Isothermal calorimeter (I-Cal Flex, Calmetrix)
The isothermal calorimeter (TAM Air-8-channel, TA instruments) can monitor the heat flow during cement hydration in a temperature range of 3 to 90ᴼC. Additional admix ampoules can be used to evaluate the effects of chemical admixtures or activators on cement hydration.
Semi-adiabatic calorimeter (F-Cal, Calmetrix)
The Calmetrix F-Cal is a portable calorimeter with eight sample channels that emulates the curing conditions of concrete flatwork. This instruments functions as per ASTM C1753, for evaluating the hydration of hydraulic cementitious mixtures and is ideal for quick testing of concrete in the field conditions including setting times, rapid screening of materials from different sources, robustness test, mix design optimization, etc. The semi-adiabatic calorimeter can accommodate cylindrical concrete samples of a high volume of 500 mL.
Vicat needle apparatus and flow tables
The Vicat test setup for determining the initial and final setting time of hydraulic cement samples as per ASTM C191. The ASTM C1437-Flow Tables are used for measuring consistency and flow of fresh cement samples.
Materials characterization and Spectroscopy
Scanning Electron Microscopy & Energy Dispersion X-ray Spectroscopy System – SEM/EDS (Hitachi-Oxford Instruments)
The SEM system is the latest generation of microscopes enabling imaging with pixel size down to 3 nm in a large area observation of up to 130 mm and it is equipped with EDS detector for identification of the elemental composition of materials, in real-time, with samples of maximum diameter size of 200mm and allowable maximum mounting weight of 2kg.
UV-Vis-NIR Spectrophotometer (Shimadzu UV-2600i)
The Shimadzu UV-2600i is a double-beam spectrophotometer for a wide variety of measurements including photometric, spectrum, kinetics, time course and bio-methods. The spectrophotometer is equipped with Lo-Ray-Ligh® diffraction gratings for low stray light levels, high-absorbance and reflectance measurements and sub-nanometer bandwidths for precise analysis of band gap, optical coatings and thin films. The included ISR-2600Plus two-detector integrating sphere enables
near-infrared measurements, up to 1400 nm.
Zetasizer Ultra (Malvern Panalytical)
The Zetasizer Ultra is a combined Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Electrophoretic Light Scattering (ELS) system for measuring the particle and molecule size, from below 1 nm to 10 μm. The instruments is also equipped with Non-Invasive Back Scatter (NIBS) and Multi-Angle Dynamic Light Scattering (MADLS) technologies for absolute confidence in particle and molecular size distribution analysis.
FTIR Spectrometer (Nicolet iS50 – ThermoFischer Scientific)
The Nicolet iS50 includes dual IR sources. A fully automated multi-spectral range system can acquire spectra from far-infrared to visible (15 – 27000 cm-1). Wide range of materials can be examined gases, liquids, inorganic and organic materials. Gold coated optics for far IR, mid IR and near IR operations with high spectral resolutions: > 0.09 cm-1.
Raman Spectroscopy (DXR3 – ThermoFischer Scientific)
The Raman spectrometer is equipped with a high-resolution (1μm) microscope objective for integration and multi-modal analysis of nano-, micro- and macro- structured materials. The DXR3 Raman Microscope is equipped with four lasers: 780, 633, 532 & 455 nm. Multi-modal analysis provides a unique spectral fingerprint for chemical identification.
Impedance analyzers (Agilent E4980AL, Agilent E4982A and HIOKI IM3533)
Precision LCR meters for fast measurement speed of inductance (L), capacitance (C) and resistance (R) at the widest range of frequencies: 1mHz-200kHz (HIOKI IM 3533), 20Hz-1MHz (Agilent E4980AL) and 1MHz-3GHz (Agilent E4982A).
Ion Milling System (Hitachi)
Ion beam sputtering (stress free physical process) with milling rate: 500 μm/hr and precise temperature control with cryo system.
System of grinders/polishers (Allied)
The TwinPrep 5™ grinding/polishing machine is designed for manual sample preparation. Powerful motors provide constant high torque output throughout the speed range, displayed from 20-990 RPM. Touchpad controls activate coolant flow (adjustable) and start/stop. The stable, corrosion resistant RIM, aluminum and stainless steel construction ensures maximum durability. The 4.5’’, 8’’ and 10’’ standard and magnetic platens, double sided adhesive discs, Ferromagnetic support discs can be used for sample thickness less than 3μm.
Durability testing
Advanced Rebar Corrosion Rate determination system (GECOR 8)
The system combines microprocessors, three sensors and a computerized flash technology for reinforcing bar corrosion rate analysis. The system features a method for rapidly mapping of structure’s corrosion rate, a new corrosion rate analysis technique for use in very wet or submerged structures and a new methodology for measurement of cathodic protection efficiency.
Goniometer/Tensiometer (Ramé-hart Model 250)
The Goniometer / Tensiometer measures contact angle, surface energy, surface tension, interfacial tension, and surface dilatational elasticity and viscosity. The system includes fiber optic illuminator, 3-axis specimen stage with leveling and super speed digital camera (520 frames/second).
Potentiostat/Galvanostat (PARSTAT 4000A)
The PARSTAT 4000A is an electrochemical workstation with the ability to provide you with wide dynamic current range (40 pA – 4 A), a 48 V of unmatched compliance voltage for the most challenging corrosion research and frequency bandwidth for electrochemical studies of materials analysis up to 10 MHz.
Curing Chamber for Specimen Curing and Durability Testing (Darwin Chambers)
The curing chamber has a large capacity allowing the curing of a high number of specimens, up to 50 concrete cylinders of 3×5 inches. The chamber is also equipped with temperature and humidity controllers and it can be used for durability testing during freeze-thaw experiments with a temperature range of -25°C to 50°C and approximate ramping ability of 1°C per 2 minutes from -23°C to +23°C and back. The TH series allows for testing in accordance with the AASHTO T103 Test Method, Procedures A, B and C.
Carbonation chamber (VWR)
The carbonation chamber can be used to expose samples to an environment containing up to 30% CO2 concentration at controlled relative humidity and temperature.
Specimen and sample preparation
System of ultrasonic processors (Sonics & Materials)
System of three high intensity ultrasonic processors (VCX 750 watts and VCX 1500 watts) for dispersion of a wide range of organic and inorganic nanomaterials (nanofibers and nanotubes, nanoparticles, platelets) from microliters to liters. Other applications: sample preparation, cell lysing, desegregation, homogenization, particle size reduction, soil testing, acceleration of chemical reactions, degassing and atomization.
Ball Milling (Retsch)
Mixer Mill MM500 Nano is a bench-top unit which is designed for dry, wet and cryogenic grinding of up to 2 x 45 ml sample material with maximum frequency of 35Hz, it generates enough energy to mix and pulverize powders and suspensions efficiently and quickly in the nanometer range. The robust high-performance drive makes the mill suitable for long-term grinding processes (up to 99 hours).
Shear Mixer (FlackTek)
The shear mixer is model DAC 1500-500VAC SpeedMixer with a maximum container volume of 1200 ml and maximum material of 500gram per container. The instrument works at the maximum speed of 2000 rpm, which allows for rapid mixing and grinding. Also, the equipment is featured to work in vacuum condition.
Concrete intensive mixer (EIRICH RV02E)
Service-proven mixing system for preparation of concrete and other structural materials. The user interface with pre-selectable operating parameters allows the measurement of temperature, torque and motor speed. The versatile mixer includes exchangeable tools and a choice of energy settings to produce an optimum quality of mixtures ranging in consistency from dry to plastic and pasty. Applications include mixing,
kneading, disagglomerating, fiberizing, distributing, dissolving
and pelletizing.
Planetary mixer (Hobart)
Mixer for preparation of hydraulic cement pastes and mortars of plastic consistency. Thoroughly blends, mixes and aerates all ingredients for consistent, predictable finished batches. Selective agitator transmission has 3 speed settings: 139, 285 and 591 RPM. ASTM-compliant: ASTM C305, ASTM C109, ASTM C87 and AASTHO T162
Concrete mixer (Collomix)
The TMX 1000 is a compact, powerful automatic concrete mixer with a volume capacity of 100L specially designed for pre-bagged, heavy materials. Three precisely angled arms spin at a low rotation to thoroughly mix up to three bags of heavy materials.
Asphalt Planetary mixer
Planetary mixer with 10 L bowl capacity and 8 planetary speeds from 50 to 150 rpm and 10 spindle speeds from 115 to 400 rpm
Sieves for aggregates (Gilson)
Standard sieves and shaker for sieve analysis of aggregate materials. Test sieves at sizes according to ASTM/ISO standards are available for the measurement of the size of aggregates for application in construction materials.
Diamond Saw
Husqvarna MS 360 Masonry Saw is equipped with a water management system to minimize the use of water and keep the workspace dry and clean. The head rotates at 22.5° and 45° angles and is ideal for use on pavers, bricks, stones, and concrete blocks. The saw can cut a full 5 in. deep.