Facilities
The ACT research group has a variety of facilities and equipment available for all PhD students and researchers to use. Below are a few of our key areas and items. View all our facilities within the Department of Architecture and Built Environment.
George Green Library
George Green Library supports the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Science.
The newly extended and refurbished George Green Library houses the main architecture and engineering collections, and offers a range of study facilities including: four language labs, a computer training room and integrative learning room, alongside a choice of individual and group study spaces.
Centre for 3D Design
The department workshop, Centre for 3D Design, is available to all students and researchers and includes a range of analog and digital equipment including:
- bandsaws
- laser-cutters and 3D printers
- a room full of wide-format digital printer-plotters meets most printing demands, and at peak times there are nearby low-cost commercial printing services
Pyranometers
Pyranometers are used to measure the solar transmittance of a building component according to a procedure in line or similar to the method stated in ASTM (1986a)
The research group has a set of Kipp & Zonen CMP3 Pyranometers for indoor and outdoor measuring activities. Read more
Biaxial Machine for Fabric and Foils
The testing device is composed by a data logger, able to record several channels simultaneously, and a metal rig 130cmx130cm able to test a cruciform sample 90cmx90cm with a central area of 30cmx30cm and arms 30cm long.
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Leister
The TRIAC AT is an intelligent hot-air hand tool for welding and shrinking plastics that is suitable for on-site use.
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Virtual and Augmented Reality
The virtual reality headset - VIVE HTC – is utilised by the ACT group, primarily for applications in ‘digital heritage’ and ‘museum studies.’ It is a cross-disciplinary tool, enabling partnerships with Geospatial, Archaeology, Art and Architectural History. The VR headset has supported research on Lincoln Cathedral.
Software to design membranes
The software works as a plug-in of AutoCAD and Rhino and allows the rapid form-finding of a tensioned membrane structure given the initial boundary conditions and the required level of pretention.
MPanel includes a tool for the generation of the cutting pattern for the manufacture of the membrane roof.
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Sewing machine PFAFF 1245
The sewing machine PFAFF 1245 is currently used to produce prototypes and mock-ups of membrane structures. The machine is used for PVC coated polyester fabrics but it can be easily adapted to medium-heavy materials such as leather.
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