Testing Facility for Yorkshire Construction Companies at Sheffield Hallam University

12th September 2013

Sheffield Hallam University has invested in expertise and support to help construction and engineering companies in Sheffield make the most of the university's heavy duty testing equipment for materials research and development.

The equipment has the capacity to apply large loads to complex construction materials and components to assess their suitability for a host of multi-million pound infrastructure projects across the UK including the motorway network for national clients. Dr Fin O'Flaherty from the university's Centre for Infrastructure Management (CIM), said: -We are in a very strong position in terms of having the equipment on-site and the academic and technical knowhow to support companies' needs. "The laboratories here have road-tested construction products destined for major infrastructure projects and been able to assess why components have not performed to the high-standard required. Large companies including Mott MacDonald have taken advantage of the testing facility, which is one of only a few in the country capable of testing full size construction elements for strength and serviceability as well as performing structural assessments of large international structures. The staffing to support the investment has been funded by the ERDF-supported Innovations Futures 2 project, which aims to deliver growth in the region through supporting Yorkshire and Humberside businesses on innovation and research and development projects. Contact Sheffield Hallam University on 0114 225 5000 or email business@shu.ac.uk for more information about how the university could help your business grow.