Welcome from the Director
Welcome to the Ferguson Structural Engineering Laboratory website. The laboratory, named after Professor Phil M. Ferguson, is located on the Pickle Research Campus of the University of Texas at Austin and is an integral part of the Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering. Students and faculty conduct large-scale tests of a broad range of civil engineering structures in this facility. We hope that you enjoy leaning about our laboratory, its history, and our ongoing research.
Shear Strength of ASR/DEF Affected Bridge Bent Caps
In recent years, a number of reinforced concrete bent caps within the State of Texas have exhibited premature concrete damage from alkali-silica reaction (ASR) and/or delayed ettringite formation (DEF). Both deterioration mechanisms subject concrete to expansive forces, leading to map cracking, spalling, and a potential loss of strength. The alarming nature of the cracking observed by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) led to an ongoing study of ASR/DEF damaged bent structures at the University of Texas at Austin.more→
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