Testing laboratory

For the qualification of Alga structural devices, a quality control and testing laboratory has been installed in Alga premises at Montebello della Battaglia (Pavia). Among the dedicated testing equipment, manufactured in part by Alga, the main ones are the static testing equipment, the dynamic testing equipment, and the set-up for post-tensioning systems testing.

Static testing equipment

- Axial equipment with vertical load capacity up to 8000 kN and 3000 kN horizontal load capacity.
- Pre-stressed concrete ring structure of 50000 kN vertical load capacity and 20000 kN horizontal load capacity, equipped with a data acquisition system capable of recording, visualizing and storing data on up to 12 channels simultaneously, with acquiring frequency ofup to 5 complete readings every second.

Dynamic testing equipment

- Large number of actuators, with different load and stroke capacities, varying from 200 kN up to 16000 kN, used in combination with different test-structures and controlled by means of servo-controlled digital systems and dedicated software.
This equipment is usually used for the execution of dynamic tests on antiseismic devices, even of large dimensions. On the devices under test, forces and deformation can be applied under controlled loads and displacement, with waves that vary from simple sine and triangular waves up to seismic waves that reproduce real earthquakes.

Test structure for post-tensioning systems

Exclusive equipment made up of two concrete blocks with a central passing-through-hole for the strands seat. The cable is laid along the whole structure and it is fixed in the two ends of the blocks by means of wedges and anchor heads. The dynamic actuators installed between the two blocks can apply the loads and displacements required by the test specifications, up to 24000 kN.

For particular projects, ALGA can manufacture special equipment designed and produced for any specific purpose. In this regard, for instance, we can mention the installation of a bi-axial shaking table for the study of metallic expansion joints with large movements.