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Interior View of the Thomas M. Murray Structures Lab
The Structural Engineering and Materials Program of the Via Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Virginia Tech provides graduate study and research opportunities in a broad range of subject areas in structural engineering and structural materials. The objective of the program is to provide a quality education that is well-balanced in theoretical and practical considerations. There is a general emphasis on application of computer techniques and on experimental research. The research program in structural engineering and structural materials at Virginia Tech spans a number of subject areas.
The Thomas M. Murray Structures and Materials Laboratory is located on the campus of Virginia Tech. The laboratory includes a wide range of structural and materials testing equipment that can be used to conduct experimental research on full-scale structural components and conduct performance evaluations of civil engineering materials. A total of 17,000 sq. ft. of laboratory and office space is available.
Central to the experimental capabilities of the structures laboratory is the 3600 sq. ft. (350 m2 ) structural reaction floor. The approximately 30 ft. by 120 ft (9 m x 38 m) floor is constructed with four W36x150 (W920x223) steel beams encased in 3.5 ft (1 m) deep reinforced concrete. The top flanges of the beams are exposed to permit connection of test frames. The troughs also provide locations for hydraulic and electrical lines. Approximately 300,000 pounds (1350 kN) of uplift can be resisted at any given location on the floor.
CEE Structural Engineers at Work
The Structural Engineering and Materials graduate program at Virginia Tech offers the Master of Science and Ph.D. degrees in Civil and Environmental Engineering. There are usually 50 to 80 graduate students in the program, with 10 to 15 students working toward the Ph.D. degree. The objective of the program is to provide a quality education that is well-balanced in structural analysis and design, and in theoretical and practical considerations.
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