BRANZ Enhances Structural Testing Capabilities with New Lab

BRANZ, the Building Research Association of New Zealand, has unveiled its latest addition to its Judgeford campus—a state-of-the-art structural engineering laboratory. This new facility enables more efficient and detailed testing of building systems and products, allowing for a better understanding of their performance under extreme stress, impact, and vibration.

The structural tests conducted at BRANZ play a crucial role in determining whether building components comply with the Building Code and are fit for purpose. With the introduction of the new lab, BRANZ can now conduct concurrent testing and assess larger and more complex structures.

A standout feature of the lab is the reinforced concrete strong wall, which measures 8 meters in height and is an impressive 700 mm thick. This robust structure allows BRANZ to simulate forces from multiple directions simultaneously, emulating earthquake conditions. The added capacity enables the testing of complex structures as large as threestory buildings.

The expanded space also facilitates increased testing capacity. Mark Elliott, BRANZ Structural Testing Team Leader, says: “With innovation constantly evolving across the building sector the new structures laboratory gives us the flexibility to assess a wide variety of new building materials, systems, and products as they are developed.” www.branz.co.nz/structural-testing

Moreover, the new lab enhances BRANZ testing capabilities to evaluate the performance of non-structural building components, including suspended ceilings, mechanical equipment, partitions, and claddings during earthquakes. Additionally, a pressure chamber is available for assessing roof and cladding systems’ response to differential air pressure of up to 7 kPa.

To ensure comprehensive testing, BRANZ subjects’ buildings to various impact scenarios. The structures laboratory allows researchers to study how different materials withstand impacts from soft and hard objects, helping to determine their resilience at scale, and with double the load and stroke-bearing capabilities of the previous facility, structures can now be shaken harder and faster than ever before.

The introduction of the structures laboratory marks the initial phase of BRANZ’s significant campus redevelopment, aimed at meeting industry needs for the next 50 years. Currently underway, the next phase involves the construction of a new fire laboratory, further solidifying BRANZ’s commitment to enhancing research and testing capabilities for the building and construction industry as a whole.