Rondo: Testing internal wall configurations to NCC standards

Challenge

Rondo manufactures and supplies a range of light gauge rolled formed steel products and systems, primarily for the construction industry in Australia, New Zealand, Asia Pacific and the Middle East.

The client required testing of internal wall panels to determine the structural properties and performance of various wall configurations.

Solution

The unique Structural Testing Lab at UTS Tech Lab houses a state-of-the-art strong floor and strong wall to create custom support structures and apply loads to structures in a flexible environment.

A hydraulic cylinder was used to apply the load horizontally in tension, utilising a closed loop PID control system to apply the loads in a precise manner in either a constant velocity rate or a constant force rate dependent on the testing requirements.

As part of the testing, UTS supplied, calibrated, installed and acquired all sensor readings to satisfy the requirements indicated by Rondo

The civil engineering team ran the tests over 5 days and delivered the report to Rondo and the external consultant per the terms of the agreement.