Abstract:

Experimental analysis of structural concrete in Concrete Master’s Degree is a course dealing with experimental techniques in structures. Students learn traditional and innovative techniques for structural monitoring, design of experimental test and choose main variables to study a mechanical behavior of structural concrete members.

In this communication, a Project oriented to design an experimental test for concrete members subjected to torque forces is proposed to master’s students. Minimum requirements to be fulfilled by students designers are proposed to use real components existing in the laboratory, such as nominal load, dimensions and number of hydraulic actuators, available instrumentation such as displacements and load transducers or strain gauges.

After teaching in theoretical classes the way of working of traditional transducers and innovative techniques (photogrammetric or laser techniques) students must design a full-scale experimental test to only apply torque forces in a 3.5m length beam with a cross-section of 0.50x0.50m.

The main goal of this experience is learning main experimental tools existing in an structural laboratory through a Project.

Keywords:

Project learning, design, experimental test, full-scale.