Civil Engineering Laboratories

Hydraulics laboratory is a major laboratory in civil engineering department allocated at the third floor (B333) in Debbieh Campus and (EB5) in Tripoli Campus. The tests performed cover many important fields including experiments for the explanation of the natural phenomena and the practical applications related to fluid mechanics, hydraulics, irrigation and drainage systems. The performed tests serve several undergraduate courses (CVLE 341, CVLE342 and CVLE441) as they conduct several measurements such as density, specific gravity, capillary elevation, pressure, buoyancy, determination of metacentric height, orifices, weirs, venturimeter, Reynolds number, head loss. In addition to conducting practical applications related to closed conduits such as Bernoulli’s theorem demonstration and open channel flume to simulate flow in river. For research, advanced equipment is available to simulate hydrological studies of the rainfall and surface runoff applications, the groundwater movement, the sediment transport and hydraulic structures. The hydraulic lab is equipped with a lecture room of 50 students’ capacity to allow them collect data and make all kind of analysis of the output results.

The Materials and Structures Laboratory located at the fourth Basement of Engineering Building (B423) can accommodate up to 50 students, in Debbieh Campus and (FB107) in Tripoli Campus mainly serves the courses related to Construction Materials (CVLE 222 and CVLE 325), Final year projects (CVLE 402) and the experimental research in the fields of composite materials, prestressed beams and rehabilitation/strengthening of R.C members. The common tests performed in this laboratory are Compressive strength of concrete, Tensile test for steel rebars and cables, Flexural testing of steel elements, Flexural testing of ceramics, Flexural testing of various types of beams, Absorption testing, Asphalt testing and Destructive & non-destructive testing of concrete. Besides, the laboratory is involved since 1992 in tests related to industry. An extension classroom is available to the students to carry out the analysis of the experimental results.

The Surveying Laboratory is located at the fourth Basement of Engineering Building (B422) in Debbieh Campus and (BB42) in Tripoli Campus with a floor space of 45 m2. It is used to store the surveying equipment and tools, and to prepare for the field surveying. Among these equipment are Digital theodolites, Total station, set 4 CII, Power Set (Total Stations), Levels, Auto Levels, Digital, Planimeters, GPS Receivers, Radian –IS GPS Receiver, Penmap, Tapes and ranging rods, Comp.PPC3 and Compass. The surveying lab offers supplemental experience in fundamental land surveying measurement methods for surveying courses (CVLE 260, CVLE 261, CVLE 511 and CVLE 512), including precision taping methods to perform linear measurements, traditional transits and digital theodolites for angular measurements, and traditional and automatic levels for elevation measurements. In addition, graduate students have opportunity to use the total station equipment, which enables horizontal, vertical, and angular measurements to be made in one operation. The state-of-the-art specialty perform differential GPS surveys used for Mapping. Appropriate safety training and instructions on the use and care for the equipment is followed.

The Soil Mechanics Laboratory is located at the fourth Basement of Engineering Building (B425) in Debbieh Campus and (FB108) in Tripoli Campus with enough space to accommodate a group of 25 students (15 students In Tripoli). The lab is equipped with various apparatuses to evaluate the different physical properties of soil. Basic experiments are performed according to the ASTM standards to fulfill the undergraduate Soil Mechanics course requirements such as soil classification tests (Sieve analysis, Hydrometer and Atterberg limits), Permeability, Compaction and Consolidation tests. More advanced tests are conducted by the use of fully automated triaxial and direct shear machines with data acquisition for graduate studies and research. The lab facilities are serving other courses such as CVLE 402, CVLE432 and CVLE 527.

Additionally, the laboratory serves as a comprehensive facility for both teaching and research purposes. It is outfitted with the necessary equipment to conduct standard tests related to asphalt pavement design and paving materials according to ASTM and AASHTO. Additionally, the laboratory is well-equipped for advanced research experiments focused on evaluating the engineering properties and behaviors of paving materials. The laboratory facilities cater to the needs of the following courses CVLE 464- CVLE 633 and CVLE 636.