Laboratory & Experimental Capabilities
Experimental facilities for fatigue, multiaxial loading, material and component characterisation and numerical–experimental research at the University of Pisa.
01 / Research facilities
Our group at the Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa investigates fatigue, structural integrity and material behaviour through experimental mechanics and computational analysis. Research addresses metals, polymers, composites and additively manufactured materials.
This page presents research expertise and departmental facilities associated with our group. Equipment access and the technical feasibility of a new test campaign must be agreed with the relevant laboratory staff.
02 / Featured equipment
Experimental facilities
Experimental facilities
StepLab axial–torsional electrodynamic machine
Electrodynamic system for axial and torsional fatigue testing, with separate actuators for axial force and torsional moment.
- Axial static force
- 33 kN
- Axial dynamic force
- 35 kN
- Axial maximum frequency
- 250 Hz
- Torsional static torque
- 55 N·m
- Torsional dynamic torque
- 80 N·m
- Torsional maximum frequency
- 25 Hz
- Round gripping
- Ø 6–12 mm
- Flat gripping
- ≤15 mm thick
Experimental facilities
Schenck servo-hydraulic axial–torsional system
Servo-hydraulic system for axial–torsional testing, with a dedicated internal-pressure actuator for tubular specimens.
- Axial capacity
- 250 kN
- Torque
- 2000 N·m
- Internal pressure
- 700 bar (70 MPa)
- Round gripping
- Ø 5–40 mm
- Flat gripping
- 8–20 mm thick
Experimental facilities
Rumul resonant fatigue-testing machines
Two Rumul resonant machines for high-cycle fatigue testing and studies of fatigue crack propagation.
- Historical load ratings
- 20 kN; 150 kN
- Typical frequency
- 100–150 Hz
Historical equipment information
MTS servo-hydraulic uniaxial systems
Servo-hydraulic uniaxial machines for static and cyclic material testing, documented in the Machine Design Group's experimental facilities.
- Historical load ratings
- 25 kN; 100 kN
- Typical frequency
- 10–20 Hz
Experimental facilities
StepLab electromechanical machine
Compact electromechanical machine for static and cyclic axial testing, with a maximum load of 10 kN and a maximum frequency of 20 Hz.
- Maximum load
- 10 kN
- Maximum frequency
- 20 Hz
Operating ranges depend on the specimen and experimental setup. Equipment availability and test feasibility are assessed for each project.
03 / Experimental measurement
Instrumentation and experimental methods
Additional facilities support structural testing, vibration measurements, thermal investigations and specimen preparation. The experimental arrangement and acquisition settings depend on the specific research question.
Experimental facilities
Reconfigurable structural test bench
Reconfigurable structural test bench with three Schenck hydraulic actuators for investigations of components, welded joints and vehicle frames.
- Current configuration
- 3 Schenck actuators
Earlier large-scale experimental configurations also used up to seven actuators.
Experimental facilities
Structural vibration and dynamics
Shaker-based experimental setups for vibration measurements, dynamic characterisation and vibration-fatigue investigations. Related research also includes laser-vibrometer modal measurements.
Experimental facilities
Thermal and environmental conditioning
Equipment for temperature-controlled fatigue, creep and creep–fatigue testing, including induction and resistance ovens and a StepLab climatic chamber.
- Induction oven
- Up to 900 °C
- Resistance oven
- 200–1000 °C
- StepLab climatic chamber
- −30 to +180 °C
Experimental facilities
Specimen preparation and metrology
CNC turning, milling and tooling for round, flat, notched and tubular specimens. Surface characterisation includes contact and optical roughness measurements and Vickers hardness tests.
- Machining
- CNC lathe and milling
- Surface roughness
- Ra; Rz
- Hardness
- Vickers
Manufacturer specification
FLIR X6901sc high-speed infrared camera
High-speed infrared camera for non-contact temperature-field measurements during experimental investigations.
- Detector
- Cooled InSb
- Resolution
- 640 × 512
- Spectral band
- 3–5 µm
- Full-frame rate
- Up to 1004 frames/s
- Thermal sensitivity
- ≤20 mK NETD
- Digital range
- 14 bit
- Standard temperature range
- −20 to 350 °C with suitable optics
Material and joint response
Previous studies document static and fatigue characterisation of materials and joints. The specimen, loading conditions and required measurements define the feasibility of a new campaign.
Strain, vibration and temperature
These measurement categories feature in existing research. Sensors, acquisition settings, operating ranges and facility access must be confirmed for each investigation.
Model correlation and data processing
Experimental results can be compared with finite element and analytical models, using scientific programming to evaluate predictions and document the analysis.
04 / Research facilities
What we can investigate
The studies and datasets linked below document existing research experience. Each new material, component and loading configuration requires a project-specific feasibility assessment.
Fatigue and durability
Investigate behaviour under repeated loading, characterise fatigue response and compare life predictions with experimental results.
Mechanical characterisation
Study the mechanical response of engineering materials and components. Previous research includes polymer composites, hybrid joints and the influence of temperature on material behaviour.
Joints and structural integrity
Connect measurements and computational analysis to assess welded components and mechanical joints, including residual stresses and fatigue response.
Numerical–experimental validation
Combine finite element analysis with mechanical measurements to examine model predictions. Research experience includes strain, vibration and temperature measurements and component-level correlation.
Engineering data and methods
Process experimental data, develop scientific software and compare analytical or computational methods. Reproducible datasets and documented algorithms support interpretation and model validation.
05 / Discuss a collaboration
Discuss an investigation or research collaboration
I welcome enquiries from university groups and industrial R&D teams about joint research, experimental campaigns, numerical–experimental studies, research proposals, material and component investigations, and method development.
Share the scientific question, material or component, expected loading and measurements, and any timing constraints. Activities depend on laboratory availability, technical feasibility, institutional procedures and an agreed project scope.
andrea.chiocca@unipi.it