The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) was born in 1867 as one of four branches of the Polytechnic Department when University of Illinois was inaugurated.
Completed in 1967 and extended in 1971, NSEL has been home to large-scale experimental structural research for more than 60 years. The laboratory features a central, three-story crane bay with a strong floor and a 28-foot, L-shaped reaction wall. The structural testing area is used to carry out a range of tests of building materials, components, structural assemblies and models.