Technical and scientific services

Laboratory of Materials and Structures (CATMECH)

The CATMECH Materials and Structures laboratory has 250 m2 with equipment to carry out applied research in the field of the mechanics of solid continuous media. The equipment makes it possible to instrument and test materials and structures of real dimensions under static and dynamic mechanical actions.

It also has 2 large-format 3D concrete printers. Being able to carry out all kinds of static and dynamic tests on large-format prototypes to know their behavior from the strength of materials and the theory of structures, as well as advanced manufacturing processes in the construction industry.

Services it offers

 1.    Advanced materials and structural systems

- FRP and FRCM. Development of new structural reinforcement solutions with composite materials oriented to sustainable vegetable fibers and green resins. 

 - Valorization of waste for the manufacture of new sustainable composite materials.

 - Hybrid concrete and composite structures.

 - Industrialized manufacturing of structural elements with large-format 3D printing based on cementitious materials.

- Deformation properties of piezoelectric material applied to energy collection.

 

 2.    Mechanical properties of non-destructive tests

- Modal analysis techniques to characterize the mechanical properties of structural elements and materials. 

 

 3.    IoT and digital solutions of structural elements

 - IoT in the monitoring of structural elements, combination of sensors and simulation for the active control of structural elements.

 - Digital records and data analysis for structures: BIM and models.

- Surveillance devices for autonomous vehicles integrated in roads. 



Sorigué and Elecnor project.

Challenge: Develop an autonomous vehicle guidance system based on magnetic elements

Solution: Design and manufacture of magnetic guides that are integrated into a road pavement Contribution to the shared agenda Sustainable mobility and logistics system. Companies have trusted CATMECH to obtain an autonomous guidance system that allows safer and more efficient driving. Magnetic guidance makes it possible to define a redundant solution that complements traditional vision and GPS systems in cases where the signal can be lost or weather conditions prevent a good definition. CATMECH supported the companies by developing part of the road marking systems. The solution allows magnetic beacons to be integrated into normal roads, reducing the economic impact of their implementation. It also supported the generation of vehicle control codes according to information from magnetic markers, facilitating decision-making by autonomous vehicle control centers. 

Planeles Lloveras project

Challenge: Develop a thermo-acoustic insulating panel from hemp by-product waste.

Solution: Design of the composite material and the manufacturing system for SATE and acoustics applications Contribution to the shared agenda. An energy and resource system neutral in emissions and respectful of the environment The company has trusted CATMECH to dispose of some of the hemp waste that has no value. CATMECH has manufactured a new composite material based on 100% recyclable natural products where hemp residue is incorporated to form a thermo-acoustic insulating panel. The design of the composite material and the manufacturing system uses a minimum energy system. The resulting material has undergone mechanical, thermal and acoustic tests according to EN standards, obtaining competitive results compared to materials traditionally used in construction for SATE systems. The advantage of the developed material is the low manufacturing cost and the possibility of being completely recycled so that the solution is much more sustainable than the usual solutions on the market.

Roads and Constructions Project

Challenge: Develop a large format 3D printing system with concrete.

Solution: Design, assembly and programming of a concrete manufacturing system, pumping, deposition and automated construction Contribution to the shared agenda. A sustainable and competitive industrial system. The company has trusted CATMECH to generate an automated large-format manufacturing system using concrete and following Industry 4.0 technologies in additive manufacturing. CATMECH has worked on the design of a manufacturing system for the base material following criteria of sustainability and competitive price. A pumping system has been designed and assembled to bring the material optimally from the point of manufacture to the point of deposition. Finally, work has been done on the sensorization and control system in order to obtain maximum automation in the industrial manufacturing process.

 

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Equipment

  • Electromechanical presses MTS Exceed 300 kN and MTS Insight 10 kN
  • Load frame up to 250 kN with static and dynamic actuators 50kN, 100 kN and 250 kN
  • Data acquisition and processing systems.
  • Modal analysis.
  • Olympus Omniscan ultrasound.
  • Extensometry equipment and optical interrogator.
  • Large format concrete 3D printers.