Laboratory of Steel Structures has been a trailblazer in the field of design and technical strength analysis of mechanical components in Finland since 1974. Recently, the performance of steel structures made of high-strength and ultra-high-strength steels has been the key area in the research and educational work. Steel Structures also is actively involved in the international communities, and the research group is well-known e.g., in the International Institute of Welding (IIW).
Steel Structures have extensive research infrastructure to conduct experimental and numerical studies:
Material and component testing (test rigs) for the static and fatigue testing, up to 5000 kN. In addition, Steel Structures has high-frequency fatigue testing machine for conducting fatigue tests at the high-cycle regime (test frequency up to 160 Hz).
T-slot floor (two 2x9.6 m2 with total length of 21 m, and 3.2 x 4 m2) and T-slot table (4 x 3.5 m2) for testing larger real components that cannot be tested in the normal test rigs.
1000 kN compression test rig for testing buckling capacities of thin-walled products (up to length of 7 m).
K-joint rig for testing tubular K-joints with the capability of testing at subzero temperatures (up to -60°C).
Material and component characterization: residual stress measuruments by X-ray diffraction, laser scanning 3D shape measurements, access to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations, macro and micro graphical studies, profilometer for determining surface conditions.
Finite element (FE) software for conducting mechanical analysis (static strength and fatigue analysis) and welding simulations.
The main focus areas of research are:
- Static and fatigue strength of welded joints and cut edges
- Structural performance and quality of high-strength steels
- Fatigue assessment methods
- Enhancement of fatigue strength of welded joints by welding techniques and post-weld treatments
- Numerical methods and analysis of welded structures, incl. stress analysis and welding simulations
- Stability and distortion phenomena of thin-walled products
- Performance of steel structure at subzero temperatures
- Structural performance of additive manufactured components
- Failure analysis of structural components
Group members
Matti Koskimäki
Antti Ahola
