high performance - The Schulich School of Engineering - University ...

Ductal was used in the construction of theShawnessy C-train station in Calgary, including 24ultra-thin canopies supported on single columns.Photo courtesy Lafarge North AmericaWhat better way to develop stronger materials thanby putting them to the test under rigorous, real-lifeconditions. Blowing rain, load fluctuations, salt waterspray, freezing, thawing and everything in between canbe programmed to happen inside a massive stainlesssteel environmental testing chamber at the SchulichSchool of Engineering. At 10 metres long, it is thelargest facility of its kind in North America. The airinside can go from room temperature down to minus68°C all the way up to 85°C in just four hours. It weighsmore than 11 tonnes, and that’s without all the tanks,pumps and electronics. Researchers can simulatepractically any weather condition and humidity level.“The chamber allows us to test different types and sizesof large-scale structural members and materials suchas concrete, masonry, steel, timber and composites,”explains Raafat El-Hacha, project leader and structuralengineering professor. “We can evaluate the effectsof the environment and loading factors on thedeterioration of civil infrastructure by simulatingsevere environmental exposure conditions.”Before and after: steel rebar is badly corroded after twoweeks in the environmental testing chamber.Photo by David MollThe harsh Canadian climate regularly pummelsbridges, roads and buildings but the damage may notbe apparent for years. El-Hacha can see first-handwhat happens to materials when they are subjectedto extreme conditions over and over again. A lengthof steel rebar emerged badly corroded after twoweeks in the chamber; the bottom half of a masonryblock crumbled to dust within a month. This is whatmakes the environmental testing chamber so exciting:researchers can essentially speed up time. >>