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Hexapod moves to SoFSI

Posted on by David Williams

The final major piece of equipment has now arrived at SoFSI, with our six degree of freedom shaking table making the move from Queen’s Building to its permanent home in Langford. With decommissioning in Queen’s Building starting in mid-August, the Hexapod was moved and recommissioned at SoFSI by mid-September. The higher pressure and flow rate of the hydraulic system here allows the Hexapod to reach its full triaxial performance of 8g with a 500kg payload. Since moving, it has already successfully been put to use for seismic qualification work.

Small yellow shaking table with blue hydraulic actuators and base plate in position.

Shaking table commissioned

Posted on by David Williams

In December the large biaxial shaking table underwent commissioning testing. This involved operating the table for the first time and checking all safety and performance functions, followed by validating its performance against the original specification. It was great to see it in motion and we’re looking forward to the training and using it in anger later this year.

Shaking table installed

Posted on by David Williams

Another major milestone was passed at the end of September as the 30 tonne surface of our biaxial shaking table was lifted into its final position. The four actuators have since been installed around the table, and once the final hydraulic hoses have been connected, physical installation within the facility will be complete. The next significant event will be acceptance testing of the table which is expected towards the end of November, and will mark the final activity before the faculty is handed to the University.

Wide angle view of the yellow painted shaking table with machined surface in position within its pit.
The 6x4m shaking table in position.

Crane installed

Posted on by patrick.tully


Today the 30t gantry crane was commissioned. This will enable both the filling and emptying of the test pit, and the lifting of test items off the two shaking tables within SoFSI. In addition to this further milestones were achieved this week with the switching on of the high-voltage electricity supply to the laboratory, the laying of the resin floor finish within the test hall and the commencement of the slab within the service yard.

Site progress update – building shell watertight

Posted on by patrick.tully

Prior to the Christmas break the SoFSI building envelope was completed and the building was watertight. With scaffolding both inside and outside the building it was a great chance to appreciate the full scale of the facility by being able to climb above the height of the 30t gantry crane – a view which will not be available once the facility is open. Now the building shell is complete we are looking forward to the final fit out followed by the installation of the hydaulic equipment – the pit in the centre of the above photograph is to receive our 50t capacity, 6m x 4m biaxial shaking table.

 

Site progress update

Posted on by patrick.tully

Much progress on the construction of SoFSI has been made in the last month following a sustained period of good weather. The steel frame for both the test hall and the accommodation block are now complete and the main contractor, Andrew Scott Ltd, are now preparing for the final interior concrete pours to form the remaining floor slab in both parts of the building.

With the roof near completion on the accommodation block it provided a great viewpoint to see the scale of both the soil pit and the pit for the large shaking table.

Following completion of the floor slabs the next steps are to install the gantry crane, complete the roof of the test hall and start the blockwork walls to the test hall. If all goes to programme the building should be water tight before the end of the year.

Steel erection commences

Posted on by patrick.tully

Following completion of the strong floor and reaction mass (in excess of 2000tonnes of steel and concrete), the main contractors have commenced the erection of the steel frame for the building. This phase is expected to take approximately 3 weeks and following this construction of the building envelope will commence. The scale of the building is now apparent, with the ridgeline being approximately 13m above the finish floor level giving an 8m clearance for the gantry crane inside the building.

Site progress – Reaction mass nears completion

Posted on by patrick.tully

Works on site to construct SoFSI are continuing at pace and we are pleased to be able to share some images provided by our main contractor Andrew Scott Ltd immediately prior to the final concrete pour for the reaction mass. The final concrete pour represents a major milestone for the project meaning that approximately 2,000t of steel and concrete will have been laid to form the 4m deep soil pit and foundations for the two shaking tables. Works to construct the above ground elements of the building which will house the equipment can soon begin.