Call us on +44 (0)1384 382 253

  • Free Guide
  • About Us
    • Associated Companies
    • Careers
    • Innovation
    • Memberships and Accreditations
    • Our Customer Promise
    • Our Equipment
    • Our Expertise
    • Our History
    • COVID-19 Safe Systems of Work
  • Sectors
    • Academic / University
    • Aerospace
    • Automotive
    • Nuclear
    • Pharmaceutical
    • R&D
  • News
  • Case Studies
  • FAQs
    • Service & Calibration FAQs
    • Why Do Companies Outsource Their Testing?
    • Accumulator Replacement FAQs
    • Servo Valve Servicing FAQs
    • High Temperature and Environmental Testing Q&As
  • Resources
    • Customer Resources
    • Downloads
  • Newsletter
  • Contact Us
Phoenix
  • Service & Calibration
    • Calibration
      • Force Calibration
      • Stroke Calibration
      • Extensometer Calibration
      • Load Cell & Force Gauge Calibration
      • Pull-Off Tester Calibrations
    • Servicing
    • Actuator Refurbishment
    • Repurposing & Upgrading
    • Repair
    • Relocation
  • Materials Testing
    • Pressure and Temperature Testing
      • Pressure Testing
      • High Pressure Testing
      • High Temperature Testing
      • Low Temperature Testing
      • Elevated Temperature Testing
    • Controlled Environmental Testing
    • Fatigue Testing
    • TMF Testing
    • Fastener Testing
    • Product Testing
      • Component Testing
    • Bespoke Materials Testing
    • Test Specification Consultancy
  • Products
    • Bench Top Test Machines
    • High Temperature & Environmental Systems
      • Environmental Chambers
      • Temperature Measurement & Control
    • Compaction Simulators
      • Bench Top Compaction Simulator
      • Compaction Simulator
      • Accessories
    • Control Systems & Instrumentation
      • Alpha Digital Control System
      • Accessories & Instrumentation
    • Fatigue Testing Machines
      • Thermo Mechanical Fatigue
      • High Temperature Corrosion Fatigue
    • Hydraulic Power Packs & Ring Mains
    • Specialist Test Machines
      • High Performance/ High Stiffness Machines
      • One-Off / Bespoke Machines
    • Creep Machines
      • Small Punch Creep & Fatigue
  • Materials Testing Division
  • Free Guide
  • About Us
    • Associated Companies
    • Careers
    • Innovation
    • Memberships and Accreditations
    • Our Customer Promise
    • Our Equipment
    • Our Expertise
    • Our History
    • COVID-19 Safe Systems of Work
  • Sectors
    • Academic / University
    • Aerospace
    • Automotive
    • Nuclear
    • Pharmaceutical
    • R&D
  • News
  • Case Studies
  • FAQs
    • Service & Calibration FAQs
    • Why Do Companies Outsource Their Testing?
    • Accumulator Replacement FAQs
    • Servo Valve Servicing FAQs
    • High Temperature and Environmental Testing Q&As
  • Resources
    • Customer Resources
    • Downloads
  • Newsletter
  • Contact Us

Case Studies

Take a look at our latest case studies. 

Breadcrumbs

  • Home
  • Case Studies
  • Phoenix develops bespoke High Temperature Multi-Axial Test Machine - University of Manchester

Phoenix develops bespoke High Temperature Multi-Axial Test Machine - University of Manchester

Phoenix is proud to have worked with the UK Collaboratorium for Research in Infrastructure and Cities (UKCRIC) and the University of Manchester, to design and manufacture a bespoke multi-axis high temperature mechanical test system.

The project is funded by the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC, grant number EP/P017061/1) and is part of the UKCRIC National Centre for Infrastructure Materials - Extreme Loading Facilities.

Ask Us About This

The Requirements

The multi-axis system will provide the University of Manchester with testing facilities to generate mechanical property data of infrastructure materials under multi axial loading at high temperatures that may be experienced in fire attack that cannot be achieved using existing facilities anywhere else in the world. 

This data will support research into improving infrastructure performance at high temperatures and under fire attack, as well as developing innovative materials to reduce material use and carbon footprints, and improve maintenance of civil infrastructures. 

The purpose of the machine is to simulate materials under different loading effects during a fire or disaster. This bespoke machine will assist with research and development projects into large scale buildings (such as Grenfell Tower), and the effects of high temperatures on civil engineering materials such as steel and concrete. 

“We have enjoyed working in partnership with Phoenix and their team of engineers and designers to develop a unique, high temperature multi-axial loading testing machine. The machine had very specific requirements that will help us with our ongoing research and development projects, and Phoenix have met our requirements.” 

Professor Yong Wang, Professor of Structural Engineering 
University of Manchester

+ + + +

How We Developed a Bespoke Multi-Axis Machine

Our team had to design and build a complex, six-axis test machine capable of operating each axis independently around a fixed datum or moveable datum. 

The compression capability was required to be up to 1000kN simultaneously, on samples of approximately 100mm x 100mm x 100mm, on all six sides. It also needed tensile capability up to 250kN simultaneously on up to four actuators. 

The machine had to include strain and image measurements, using imaging systems, on faces that are not covered by loading platens. 

It also had to have the ability to heat concrete cube samples up to 800°C and hold throughout a test where all six sides of the cube are being compressed. 

Finally, the test machine was also required to include adjustment for angularity and concentricity in all loading axis. 

This has been a highly complex design and build, and the requirements have been achieved as our team developed an in-house design of mechanical and hydraulic components, as well as a new multi-axis Alpha Digital Control System. 

Due to the complex nature of heating multi-axis systems, we worked in close collaboration with our induction heating supplier to ensure the system could operate the required heating. 

We used digital imaging correlation (DIC) for the strain measurement requirements, and a thermal imaging camera to see the effect of force on temperature through the sample. 

“This has been a highly complex test machine to design and build, and we are very proud to be contributing to such an important area of R&D, working with our customer in the only facility of it’s kind”. 

We faced an additional challenge, as the entire system had to be designed to fit into an existing pit within the University’s premises. 

The installation was in a lower ground laboratory, approximately 30 feet under street level, with limited head room for any lifting equipment. 

Due to the accessibility of the laboratory, our engineers needed to move the 15 tonne Multi-Axis System in multiple pieces down 30 feet and through a narrow 3-metre-wide corridor. 

With the new multi-axis system, it will now be possible for our customer to generate data within credible and extreme loading conditions, therefore improving the design and build quality of critical infrastructure. 

 

Testing Materials for Civil Infrastructure is Increasingly Essential 

Extreme loading such as fires, explosions or impacts are common threats to civil infrastructure, from major public buildings, hospitals, tunnels, transportation or power generation. 

The exposure of extreme loading conditions to these types of buildings can lead to disastrous structural failures, which will then have a further devastating impact on human, environmental and economic losses and even lead to social or political disruption. 

The need to evaluate the risks on these buildings and structures is critical for the safety and viability of materials used, and reliable, accurate data of material performance and behaviour is necessary to improve the quality of the design and construction of future infrastructures under extreme loading conditions. 

If you require a bespoke machine for your ongoing research and development projects, or would like more information on our products and services, please call us on 01384 382 253 or complete an enquiry form online. 

Ask Us For A Consultation Call

*Required

Please leave the previous field empty

Or you can call us on +44(0)1384 382 253

Certifications

Rolls Royce

Rolls Royce Technical Approval for High Temperature and Environmental Testing

ISOQAR Registered - UKAS Management Systems

The Design, Manufacture, Commissioning, Maintenance and support of Materials Testing Machines. ISO 9001 - ISO 14001, Cert. No. 15997

ilac - MRA - UKAS Calibration + Testing

UKAS Calibration
UKAS Testing (flexible scope)

Please do not fill in the above field to help us identify genuine requests.

Sign up to get the Phoenix newsletter

Contact Us

T +44 (0)1384 382 253
E [email protected]

Find Us

Unit E2
The Wallows Industrial Estate
Fens Pool Avenue
Brierley Hill
West Midlands
DY5 1QA

Links

  • Customer Portal
  • Phoenix Survey
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Coronavirus Statement
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Rated By Our Clients...

98% of our customers would recommend us. 

© 2022 Phoenix Materials Testing Ltd.

Website by Clear Part of Rubery Owen

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

If you would like to stay up-to-date with our latest news, products and services, please sign up to receive our Newsletter. 

Please leave the above box empty.

Get in Touch With us

*Required

Please leave the previous field empty

Or you can call us on +44(0)1384 382 253

Download our Brochure

Download your FREE guide on Servo Hydraulic Machine maintenance. Our free guide is packed full of helpful tips and advice. Enter your details to download the file today.

Please leave the above box empty.