Wichita State University – where enigmas become discoveries. The new Engineering Research Laboratory Complex is making more of this type of astounding, wonderful discovery possible.

This Complex allows WSU engineering faculty and National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) personnel to facilitate millions of dollars in externally funded research projects. Additionally, more students can be involved in research than before.
Professional Engineering Consultants, P.A. (PEC) provided Mechanical, Electrical, Structural and Civil engineering design as well as Balance services for both new facilities.

The NIAR is the largest university-based aviation research and design operation in the United States. Contributing partners to the NIAR have included the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Engineering Building – Phase I
PEC encountered and met special requirements for this functional, 44,700 gross-square-foot building. It cost approximately $6 million and features laboratories that benefit all four of WSU’s engineering departments – Aerospace, Electrical and Computer, Mechanical and Industrial/Manufacturing engineering.

The facility’s advanced networking lab features racks of electronics and workstations that cause high sensible heat gain. PEC designed temperature and humidity controls for the lab that allow optimum equipment performance and reliability to be achieved.

Mechanical or vibration-producing lab machinery in the building can’t disturb highly sensitive equipment, like an electron microscope. So, sensitive equipment throughout the facility is sheltered from vibration by an isolated pad system.

Each lab is unique as well as flexible. That’s because research – and research needs – are always changing. Thus, this facility, its systems and utilities are designed so Wichita State University can grow and adapt with minimal cost impact and disruption to other systems/spaces.

Mechanical systems feature separate clean and dirty HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) air-handling units. These units supply air to each laboratory based on clean/dirty designation and are variable air volume (VAV). A lab airflow control system maintains proper airflow relationships between the clean and dirty labs, while cooling and exhaust requirements vary. Labs also contain an emergency shower and eyewash station.

General power for every lab includes two independent 120/208V, three-phase, 4-wire power distribution for normal and computer usage power loads. In addition, labs have 277/480V, three-phase, 4-wire power distribution for research equipment, HVAC and lighting functions. A high capacity electrical distribution system allows for connections to future equipment. The electrical infrastructure is carefully planned in order to prevent mishaps in one area from affecting critical research in another.

This facility is shielded against power outages by a lightning protection system and is backed up by a diesel powered emergency generator should an outage occur.

Engineering Building – Phase II
This attractive 12,200 gross-square-foot research laboratory building cost $2.75 million. It will be utilized primarily by the NIAR for large component testing. The facility houses three research and two testing lab rooms – one is a testing fatigue lab for performing durability and damage research. PEC supplied engineering design and Balance services for this second phase similar to the first phase.

Wichita State’s two new engineering research facilities allow more new discoveries – and new opportunities – to occur than before. They are vitally important.

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