500 kN Fatigue Testing Machine with Detachable In-Situ Salt-Spray and Condensation Test Chamber

• Subject Area: Construction Engineering and Architecture
• Term: Funded in 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 571853981

The proposed acquisition of a 500 kN servo-hydraulic fatigue testing system with an integrated, detachable salt spray and condensation chamber aims to advance experimental capabilities in materials and structural component testing, particularly for offshore wind energy applications. This dual-function system enables the simultaneous assessment of fatigue strength and corrosion resistance under near-realistic environmental and mechanical loading conditions. It addresses a key deficiency in current testing infrastructure by allowing for the investigation of coupled degradation mechanisms that are critical for long-term structural performance in harsh marine environments. The system supports large-scale, application-oriented testing, providing force levels representative of actual service conditions. Its modular design allows for both combined and independent fatigue or corrosion testing, ensuring flexibility across a wide range of experimental setups. Integration with existing measurement tools, such as portable X-ray diffraction devices and 3D digital image correlation systems, facilitates in-situ monitoring of residual stress evolution and surface damage, offering high-fidelity data for accurate lifetime prediction models. Beyond conventional materials, the system will support the evaluation of advanced manufacturing techniques such as Wire-Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) and the testing of novel high-performance materials, including iron-based shape memory alloys (Fe-SMAs). The resulting insights will inform predictive models and design criteria for improved structural durability and reduced lifecycle costs. This investment will significantly strengthen interdisciplinary research efforts, enhance industrial collaboration, and accelerate innovation in sustainable energy technologies by enabling more reliable and efficient material qualification for offshore and other demanding applications.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: 500 kN Fatigue Testing Machine with Detachable In-Situ Salt-Spray and Condensation Test Chamber
• Instrumentation Group: 2910 Dynamische Prüfmaschinen und -anlagen, Pulser
• Applicant Institution: Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität Hannover
• Leader: Professor Dr. Elyas Ghafoori