Dept. of Civil Engineering
Mail: 416 Yates Street
Deliveries: Nedderman Hall 417, 416 Yates Street
The University of Texas at Arlington
Arlington, TX 76019-0308
Ashraf Lab
Ashraf Lab is a multidisciplinary research group with a mission to mission to develop materials for sustainable and resilient infrastructures.
Laboratory Head: Warda Ashraf, Ph.D.
Equipment
Energy Dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF)
This energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometer can be used for rapid qualitative and quantitative determination of major and minor atomic elements in a wide variety of sample types — from oils and liquids to solids, metals, polymers, powders, pastes, coatings, and thin films.
Thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA)
The thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA-550, TA instruments) can determine sample composition by measuring the weight of each component as it volatilizes or decomposes under controlled conditions of temperature of up to 1000ᴼC.
Isothermal calorimeter
The isothermal calorimeter (TAM Air-8-channel, TA instruments) can monitor the heat flow during cement hydration in a temperature range of 5 to 90ᴼC. Additional admix ampoules can be used to evaluate the effects of chemical admixtures or activators on cement hydration.
Dynamic vapor sorption (DVS) analyzer
DVS (Q5000 SA, TA instruments) has the capability to perform sorption analysis of materials under controlled conditions of temperature and humidity. It can operate at a temperature range of 5 to 85ᴼC and 0 to 98% RH. Vapor sorption isotherms are useful to evaluate nano to micro-structural porosity and specific surface area of composite materials, including hydrated cement paste and ceramics.
Thermo-controlled Cyclic Simple Shear Device
Nicolet ATR FTIR is commonly used to characterize cement hydration and carbonation reaction products.
Compression Machine
MC-300 Series Concrete Compression Machines have 300,000lbf (1,335kN) capacities and meet or exceed stringent ACI 363 recommendations. They can be outfitted with accessory fixtures to accommodate compressive strength testing of many different sized cubes, cores, masonry prisms, and cylinders, as well as flexural beam specimens.
Parr pressure vessel reactor
This parr reactor can tolerate up to 1900psi at 350 deg Celcius. It has gas purging fixtures.
Carbonation Chamber
The carbonation chamber can be used to expose samples to an environment containing up to 30% CO2 concentration at controlled relative humidity and temperature.
Planetary Ball mill
The Planetary Ball Mill is designed for mixing, fine grinding, and preparing small volume high-tech material production, which features with small volume, high efficiency, low noise, and lock clamps. It has four ball grinding tanks installed on one turning plate. When the plate rotates, the tank axis makes the planetary rotation in opposite directions and the balls in the tanks grind and mix samples in high-speed movement. The product can smash and blend various products of different materials and granularity with dry or wet methods.
High Temperature Furnace
This furnace can be operated at 1700 degree Celsius continuously. It has a capacity of 36L. The gas route is built to allow inert gas into the chamber and the safety door lock prevents the furnace door from opening by accident during operation. This furnace is generally used to synthesis cement compounds and aluminosilicate glasses.
Large 3D Printer for Cement, Mortar, and Earthen Materials
Large scale printer – can print up to 6ft diameter object
Medium 3D Printer for Cement, Mortar, and Earthen Materials
Medium scale printer – can print 3-to-14-inch diameter object
Small 3D Printer for Cement, Mortar, and Earthen Materials
Small scale printer – can print up to 3inch diameter object
Administration
Melanie Sattler, PhD, PE
Dr. Syed Qasim Endowed Professor and Chair
NH 406
Shih-Ho Chao, PhD, PE
ACPA Tom Wheelan Endowed Professor and Associate Chair for Research and Graduate Studies
NH 407
Arpita Bhatt, PhD
Associate Professor of Instruction, Associate Chair for Student Success
NH 336