Soil Mechanics Laboratory

The Laboratory is committed to guide and strengthen the development of knowledge in the fields of Construction Materials, Geology, Soil Mechanics and Pavements, as a fundamental part of the Civil Engineering education. It concentrates its activity in teaching, research, service to third parties and specialized consultancy, motivating creativity and critical thinking among students and interacting permanently with the academic community and with public and private companies in the country under a sustainable development approach.

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Equipamiento y software

GDS Instruments Triaxial Static Test System (GDSTAS)

This system allows automated execution of UU, CU and CD triaxial tests, with computer control of confining pressures, rate of deflection stress application and data acquisition. It is also capable of testing with stress path control (April 2023).

Dynamic Triaxial Test System (ELDYN from GDS Instruments)

This system allows the application of cyclic loads on a triaxial specimen, controlling the force or displacement, and at the same time monitoring pore pressure variations (April 2023). 

Rock Triaxial (MATEST)

This equipment consists of a hydraulic system that allows applying loads of up to 3 MN, and controlling the rate of progress of the test, with excellent control of loading and unloading during the execution of triaxial tests in rock (February 2023).

Large Scale Direct Cutting Equipment (MATEST)

This equipment can be used to evaluate shear strength parameters of gravelly soils and to perform interface friction tests between geosynthetics and soils (February 2023).

MATEST Automatic Consolidometer

With this equipment it is possible to perform consolidation tests in a fully automatic way, controlling the application of incremental loads based on the test results.

Dynamic Shear Rheometer SMART PAVE 92 (Anton Paar)

It is an equipment for measuring deformations in asphalt, bitumen and other materials under shear stresses.

Adjustable Aramis Video Correlation System (GOM)

This system provides accurate 2D and 3D coordinates for the analysis of statically or dynamically stressed components and can be used flexibly for various measurement tasks.

SmartSolo intelligent seismic sensor

The laboratory has 16 high sensitivity SmartSolo geophones, which allow the acquisition of high quality seismic data for geophysical exploration. The geophones acquire data independently, which makes them very versatile to perform all types of geophysical tests, such as seismic refraction, MASW and microtrepidations.