The concrete group has extended laboratory facilities, including:

1) Fresh mortar and concrete rheology, access to paste rheometer (Physica MCR 300).

NTNU has a well equipped laboratory that today comprises three advanced rheometres from concrete, via mortar to paste scale (the latter accessible via SINTEF). The two larger viscometres (BML – ConTech) have recently been upgraded with possibilities to include static tests in addition to the traditional flow curves, whereas the paste rheometer (Physica MCR 300) is used for a broad range of studies including flow curves, thixotropy studies, static and viscoelastic studies. In addition we have access o a centrifuge for suspended particle and liquid fraction characterisation as well as advanced particle analyses. However, to strengthen our research efforts on materials and structural aspects of fibre reinforced concrete, and for new research on SCC form filling we continuously establish new laboratory facilities in this field and have recently installed the so-called LCPC-box for flow-and stability studies, the plate test for time-dependant increase of static yield stress and we are presently developing a new test set-up for simultaneous sedimentation and bleeding measurements.

2) Shrinkage and creep

Our concrete laboratory has an advanced TSTM (Temperature Stress Testing machine) that has been a central part of research, education and Norwegian practise for controlling cracking in the production of massive concrete structures The last years the experimental equipment has been upgraded with seven new temperature controlled shrinkage rigs, and a new steering system for the TSTM, which makes it possible to simulate the real structural behaviour in a considerably more realistic way than previously. We also have creep test facilities for long term testing of concrete in compression or tension.

3) Ice abrasion – low temperature

We have developed a unique laboratory for the measurement of ice action on concrete in the form of ice abrasion. The laboratory constitutes a complete and advanced computerized system for studies of the ice abrasion on concrete with temperature control of concrete and ice, vertical and horizontal ice load, rate of ice movement and an advanced feedback system to control and collect all physical data on load, temperature, movement, friction and abrasion. One PhD is about to complete his work and the laboratory is now ready to take on new studies. We also have freezing chambers with Invar frames and LVDT for frost dilation measurements. Lately this test set-up has been upgraded with digitalized, state-of the art LVDTs that we are presently further developing for measurements on concrete at cryogenic temperatures.

4) Large scale mechanical testing

We have various standard testing machines for compressive stress and E-modulus as well as access to machines for tensile testing and also dynamic tests under load and deformation control. In our large testing hall full scale testing of members such as beams, plates etc can be done

5) Electrochemistry

The Concrete Group at NTNU has a small laboratory for electrochemical investigations comprising data loggers, potentiostates, reference electrodes and power supplies.

6) Cement chemistry

The Concrete Group at NTNU has cement chemistry laboratories for sample preparation of cement hydration studies. The laboratory is equipped with a purifier for de-ionized water which is also coupled to a dishwasher, a variety of cement paste mixers in dust hoods, homogenizers, precision saws and mills. There is a dedicated laboratory with fume hoods for hydration stopping procedures involving solvents. We have storage facilities for materials and samples (desiccators). We have pressure cell for pore solution expression, and a laboratory for sample preparation and pore solution analysis (e.g. titration and pH). On campus we use the following analysis techniques isothermal calorimetry, TGA-DSC, TGA-MS, XRD, SEM-EDX, XRF, laser diffractometer, ICP-MS, etc.

7) Chloride ingress, carbonation and ASR

The Concrete Group at NTNU has through its close collaboration with SINTEF access to amongst others carbonation chambers, ASR reactors and chloride exposure tanks as well as field stations. In addition, the laboratories are equipped to analyse exposed concrete samples.