Areas of research

• High performing structures
• Impact resistant structures
• Strengthening and repair of structures
• Structural health monitoring
• Advanced composites and novel structural materials
• Ultra high performing concrete (UHPC)
• Self-compacting concrete
• Bio-based Building Materials
• 3D printing of concrete

Consultancy work

Qubtest provides a way to arrange consultancy services for testing a wide variety of materials and structures to British and European standards. 

Contact: Dr Barry Rankin

1. rankin@qub.ac.uk
2. hester@qub.ac.uk

Facilities and equipment

• Strong floor (12m by 5m)

• Zwick universal testing machine 100 kN

  Test-area height 1m with video extensometer and option to use heated test chamber

• Large Dartec electro-hydraulic loading frame 600 kN

  Test-area 5m x 1.8m

• 3 tonne overhead crane

• Drop test facility

  5m height - 9 to 40 kg mass

• Environmental chambers for freeze/thaw testing, weathering tests

• Carbonation chamber

• Rheology facilities (2 Viscometers, portable vane, Mash cone, Forced bleeding, Plastic shrinkage cone)

• Concrete workshop and mixing room

• 3000kN cube crushing equipment

• Curing and conditioning facilities

• Measurements laboratory

• Multi-channel, high frequency data acquisition systems 

• Limpet pull-off equipment for in-situ testing of concrete strength

• Small Dartec electro-hydraulic loading frame 160 kN

• Avery Denison univ. testing machine 500 kN

  hydraulic valve control

• Berry hydraulic press 4000 kN

  pore fluid expression from concrete samples and compression testing of high strength concrete  

Lab manager: David Hester

Drop Test Facility                                                            Drop Test Impact Zone

Environmental Chamber                                                  Large Dartec Hydraulic Loading Frame

Small Dartec Electro-Hydraulic Loading Frame                    Zwick Testing Zone

Zwick Universal Testing Machine                                        Heavy Structures Laboratory