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Engineering Laboratory

Engineering Laboratory

The Engineering Lab for the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials is located in the Brooks Center building near the CRC in Blacksburg, VA. Dr. Dan Hindman is the PI in charge of this lab.

student in engineering lab on MTS

There are many pieces of equipment housed in the Engineering Lab which are used for classes, labs, and projects in our department. Check out the various research topics and student or faculty projects that are in progress. Feel free to reach out to lab personnel if you would like to schedule time on any of our equipment for your research project!

student in engineering lab on MTS

Lab Principle Investigator (P.I.)

Daniel P. Hindman is an associate professor in the SBIO department where his research program focuses upon the efficient use of low carbon, biological based materials for construction. Dr. Hindman's research philosophy revolves around three principles related to wood materials: structure, safety, and sustainability.

Dr. Hindman is a member of several professional organizations including the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Forest Products Society and the National Frame Building Association. Dr. Hindman holds a Professional Engineering license in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

 Areas of Expertise
  • Wood Building Design
  • Mechanical Properties of Wood
  • Stability of Wood I-joists
  • Torsional Stiffness of Wood Members
  • Safety of Wood Structures During Construction

Many research projects take advantage of the equipment available in the Engineering Lab. Check back to learn more about the current projects being conducted. 

Many classes have labs attached which use the Engineering Lab for their hands-on activities. Check back to learn more about which classes use this lab and what sort of research is being done!

MTS 322: Flextest 40 Software

Force Rating: 50,000lbs
Speed: 20″ per minute
Load Cells: 5,000lbs and 10,000lbs
Type of Mechanical Tests: tension, compression, cyclic, and fracture

MTS equipment