Developing high-performance materials and sustainable materials
The Materials Laboratory is an R&D facility dedicated to research and development on advanced and sustainable materials. The lab has established the technology for evaluating the performance of construction materials from multiple perspectives. This technology helps us to develop advanced high-performance materials that will contribute to a safe and comfortable society. We also conduct research and development on advanced concrete technology that will help to build a sustainable society.
The Materials Laboratory is equipped with the Shimizu Hybrid Intensive Seismic Control System to absorb and reduce motion during an earthquake. The Laboratory features floors that use Zero-Shrink concrete, a type of concrete that resists cracking under dry conditions. The floor surfaces of the material properties testing floor are coated with Chemicrete EQ, a general-purpose conductive floor-coating material that inhibits electro-static discharge.
Types of Testing
- Evaluation of concrete workability, strength, and durability
- Microstructure analysis and evaluation of various materials at the nano to micro levels
- Experiments on the safety, durability, and other characteristics of high-performance materials and new materials
- Measurement and evaluation of outgassing from interior finishing materials and equipment materials
- Exposure test of construction materials
Facility Features
Concrete Testing Floor
- Concrete mixing room, curing room, environmental variable chamber, multipurpose testing space (strength), constant temperature and humidity chamber for evaluation of concrete
Material Properties Testing Floor
- Surface observation and X-ray diffraction room, chemical instrumental analysis room for advanced analysis of materials
- Full-size production testing space, construction material tensile strength testing room, and durability testing room for evaluation of finishing materials and construction methods
Exposure Testing Ground
- Various stands for exposure test, and meteorological observation equipment for evaluation of durability and stain of construction materials
Examples of Tests and Achievements
- Zero Shrink, Super Water-repellent Formwork, filling simulation, and
high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete design technology - Conductive floor coating, and analysis and evaluation of microstructures
at the nano to micro levels - Technology for evaluating and selecting materials with low-outgassing