Room(s): EAS 3620
and EAS 3232
Area: 680 sq. ft.
Faculty: Dr. Cesar Levy
Mission:
The lab has two primary missions:
1) To explore the area of fracture mechanics
of thick-walled vessels with the specific intent
of analytically and numerically understanding
parameters that affect the fatigue life of
such vessels.
2) To explore the area of vibrations attenuation
using various methods and materials such as
viscous-elastic materials and shape memory
alloys.
Equipment:
 B&K
Modal Analyzer
Star Structural software package.
Impact hammer and accelerometers.
Vibration table.
Data from an instrumented structure can be transferred to the software package
and through software analysis, the different modes of vibration, natural frequencies,
and other options available can be determined and viewed on the PC. This procedure
determines if the structure will resonate at some given forcing frequency.
A second portable BOBCAT system ($20,000)
has been added that can perform the
same functions as the B&K system
but at remote sites.
An experimental setup has been developed ($4000) to test the vibration
reduction capabilities of beams with visco-elastic and SMA coatings.
High-resolution
long focal length camera, MATROX MVP-AT imaging board, and a high-resolution
RGB monitor.
This system has been used to obtain cross-sectional
images of bones in determining the
effects of exercise on the geometrical
and material
properties of bone.
It will also be used to obtain images of gears in the determination
of wear due to usage.
ANSYS finite element software and supporting
Gateway workstation.
Recent research includes the investigation
of stress and fracture of thick-walled
pressurized autofrettaged cylinders.
A Dell PC with scanner is also available
for use in maintaining and modifying
the ALLSTAR website (http://www.allstar.fiu.edu)
Since ABET review in 1996, over $20,000
in capital improvements have been made
in the laboratory.
Students: Two graduate students. |
