Advanced Research Lab for Multifunctional Lightweight Structures (ARL-MLS)

University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
What the facility does

Vibration and high-cycle fatigue testing/analysis of advanced materials and structures.

Areas of expertise

The Advanced Research Laboratory for Multifunctional Lightweight Structures (ARL-MLS) specializes in testing, simulation, and optimization of new materials and structural designs in automotive, aerospace, nuclear, and biomedical applications. The ARL-MLS facility offers high-level testing and computational resources that focus on vibration and high-cycle fatigue. Our equipment includes a range of electrodynamic shakers for low-load to high-load applications, a large piezoelectric shaker that can provide high loading at frequencies in the kilohertz range, fibre-optic strain measurement capabilities, and a variety of transducers and non-contact laser sensors. Our facility has successfully carried out testing with industry partners on a wide range of components, including advanced lightweight alloys and composite structures. With our current facilities, the ARL-MLS is giving rise to exciting new developments in multifunctional and lightweight design solutions.

Research services

Testing, modelling, analysis, optimization

Sectors of application
  • Aerospace and satellites
  • Automotive
  • Construction (including building, civil engineering, specialty trades)
  • Manufacturing and processing

Specialized lab

Equipment

Function

ARL-MLS

660lbf electrodynamic shaker

Shaker for high-cycle fatigue testing of medium to large parts

 

110lbf electrodynamic shaker

Shaker for modal excitation and  high- cycle fatigue testing of small parts

 

Piezoelectric shaker

Large load shaker for high- cycle fatigue testing in kilohertz range

 

2D Scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometer

Extraction of natural frequencies and 2D mode shapes using non-contact laser that  scans the surface of the part

 

Laser displacement probe

Non-contact measurement of displacement at a single point

 

Fibre-optic strain gauge interrogator

Processes response from fibre-optic strain gauges

 

Transducers

Large range of accelerometers and impact hammers for a variety of applications

  • Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
  • Bombardier Aerospace (Bombardier Inc.)
  • Honeywell Canada
  • SPP Canada Aircraft Inc.
  • UTC Aerospace Systems
  • Van-Rob Inc.