Heavy Structures and Geotechnics Laboratory
Advancing structural and geotechnical engineering through testing, research, and innovation
The Heavy Structures and Geotechnics Laboratory is designed for large-scale structural engineering experiments and material testing.
The lab provides engineering students with hands-on experience in structural testing, allowing them to explore the behaviour of large components made from various materials. Through the use of universal test machines and reaction frames, students can assess the response of structures under static and dynamic loads, enabling them to compare theoretical models with real-world data.
In addition to student learning, the lab supports cutting-edge research into low-carbon cementitious materials and conducts full-scale structural evaluations. It also plays a key role in commercial applications, offering services for impact and vibrational load simulations.
The lab was designed with a forward-thinking approach and a commitment to carbon-neutral targets. In conjunction with the Ocean Basin at the
Coastal, Ocean and Sediment Transport (COAST) laboratory - P
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Coastal, Ocean and Sediment Transport (COAST) laboratory
, the facility supports both fundamental research and business development in offshore renewable energy.
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Hexapod (Stewart Platform)
Located in the Heavy Structures and Geotechnics Laboratory, the Hexapod (Stewart Platform) can apply motions on payloads up to 500 kg in 6 degrees of freedom. This includes linear translations up to ± 400 mm and rotations up to ± 40 degrees.
The Hexapod is used for studies in fluid sloshing and anti-roll tanks, validation of new control systems for floating offshore wind and testing of electronics systems designed to be deployed in a moving environment.
A wide range of instrumentation is available for use with the platform, including optical tracking, load cells, pressure transducers and strain gauges.
Our research
The Heavy Structures and Geotechnics Lab is extensively used for experimental structural testing, ranging from trials of newly developed low-carbon cementitious materials to full-scale structural response assessments under static and dynamic loading.
Dr Shanshan Cheng
Academic Lead, Heavy Structures and Geotechnics Laboratory
Most of our research is funded by UK and international funding bodies, including UKRI EPSRC, the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering, and EU-funded Horizon Europe. The lab also supports a significant number of PhD students, research fellows, and visiting researchers from all around the world.
We are eager to collaborate with academic and business partners at all levels. Our lab is always open to research proposals that test and expand its capabilities, and we welcome industrial partnerships of any scale.
For smaller trial projects, we can offer them as dissertation opportunities for our taught students, which is both cost-effective for industrial partner and beneficial to teaching and learning of our students.
For more urgent or larger-scale work, we can offer consultancy projects. Additionally, we are keen to collaborate with industrial partners in developing research proposals to seek funding from Innovate UK or other funding bodies."
Working towards next-generation aviation
In partnership with Airbus, our researchers are tackling the challenges of integrating liquid hydrogen (LH2) as a cleaner aviation fuel. While LH2 offers high energy density and reduced carbon emissions, issues like liquid sloshing – fluid motion in partially filled tanks – can cause pressure drops and liquid saturation. Through advanced physical modelling, the team is studying sloshing regimes and thermodynamic effects to develop solutions that ensure stable fuel delivery, paving the way for next-generation LH2-powered aircraft systems.
Our facilities for your research and commercial activities
At the Heavy Structures and Geotechnics Laboratory:
- Perform detailed analysis of various concrete compositions
- Use structural frames, such as a reaction frame, to test structures like joists and flooring systems
- Test structural components under heavy loads to assess performance and durability
- Conduct Charpy and drop impact testing
- Simulate vibrational forces using shaking platforms to assess resilience
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Contact us to view or book this facility
enterprisesolutions@plymouth.ac.uk
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Facilities for research, innovation and learning
At Plymouth, students can access cutting-edge laboratories that offer experience in real-world applications. Our facilities enhance learning, help develop practical skills, and foster collaboration on innovative projects, all preparing students to tackle complex challenges in their fields.
Our specialised equipment supports pioneering transdisciplinary research and commercial ventures, driving innovation, developing solutions to pressing global challenges, and making meaningful contributions to both industry and society.
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