Wendelin Mueller, Ph.D., P.E.

Professor Emeritus of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Ph.D., University of Missouri-Rolla, Civil Engineering, 1972
M.S., University of Missouri-Rolla, Civil Engineering, 1965
B.S., St. Louis University, Civil Engineering, 1962

The research of Wendelin H. Mueller III has a focus on the analysis and testing of full-scale structures, and/or their components. The analysis may be for constant loads (static), loads that change with time (dynamic) or seismic loads, and may include non-linear effects. In lay terms, Mueller uses the dimensions and the strength of the material to build a model with a computer. He then takes that model and pushes or pulls on it for a static analysis or shakes it in a dynamic or seismic analysis. The model tells Mueller if the structure is stable, e.g. will not overturn, and/or if the material will break. 

When testing structures and their components, Mueller uses the equipment in the infraStructure Testing and Applied Research (iSTAR) Laboratory of the Civil & Environmental Engineering Department at Portland State University (PSU). The iSTAR Lab is 5,500 sq. ft. and includes a 44 ft. by 32 ft. test slab with 100,000 lbs. tie downs on 4-foot centers. It has a 10-ton crane and a ceiling height of 22 feet. The center-piece of the Lab is a 10-foot by 10-foot, one degree of freedom seismic shake table with a total stroke of 12 inches, capable of testing 20 kip specimens. In addition, the iSTAR Lab has a vertical shake table with a stroke of 6 inches and capable of testing specimens of 5 kips. These two tables are capable of simulating actual earthquakes or testing equipment to seismic design requirements. Two 100-kip and a 5-kip actuator are available for static or cyclic loading. The iSTAR Lab is equipped with a variety of hydraulic loading jacks capable of 1,250 kips and data acquisition electronics. It also houses a machine shop. 

A wide variety of structures and/or their components have been analyzed and/or tested by the iSTAR Lab team. Full-scale transmission towers and substation components have been tested and analyzed for both static and seismic loading. These structures are the ones that “keep the lights on,” being used to transfer power around the Northwest and to and from California and Canada. Components of structures that have been recently tested and analyzed include the angles that are used to construct the transmission towers, leg joints of communication towers and substation equipment stands. Another large area of testing that has been done is in the field of qualifying equipment. Qualifying equipment is testing the equipment to a specified requirement defined by the seismic zone, soil type, distance from the epicenter and building type. The equipment is qualified to be used at the desired location if it is functional before and after testing. The type of equipment tested include: electronic/communication equipment, equipment stands and computer tables. Seismic isolation is another area of testing. This is where the equipment or structure is placed on pads, steel balls or some other manner in an attempt to allow the supports to move without transferring that motion to the equipment. More information on Mueller’s work and the capabilities of the STAR Lab can be found at http://www.istar.cee.pdx.edu/.

For more information, please visit his web site at http://myprofile.cos.com/muellerw92

301E Engineering Building
1930 SW Fourth Avenue
Portland, OR 97201 USA
Phone: 503-725-4299
Fax: 503-725-5950
Email: wendell@cecs.pdx.edu