Abstract: Provided is a load measuring device and a load measuring method, capable of preventing a measuring error caused by an initial load in a state where an elastic member is held by a pair of holding parts when a load of the elastic member at the time of stretching is measured. A pair of holding parts 5, 7 are caused to approach or space away with respect to each other relatively to an initial position at which the pair of the holding parts hold a close contact spring S, thereby making an initial load measured at the initial position zero, the pair of holding parts 5, 7 are caused to space away with respect to each other from a starting position being a position at which the initial load becomes zero, and a load at a time of stretching is caused to be measured.

Abstract: Described is a test head for a residual seal force (RSF) testing system. The test head includes a housing, an anvil, and a ball roller assembly. The housing defines a first cavity and the anvil is positioned at least partially within the first cavity. The ball roller assembly is configured to provide a point of contact between the housing and the anvil during a RSF test. The test head may further comprise a retaining ring configured to maintain the anvil at least partially within the first cavity.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a test apparatus for pile-soil interface shear mechanical properties, comprising a support device, a pressure device, a membrane box, and a thrust device; wherein the support device comprises a bottom plate, a top plate, a support beam, and a plurality of bracing struts, the bottom plate and the top plate being both provided with a through-hole for inserting a model pile. The test apparatus for pile-soil interface shear mechanical properties according to the present disclosure has a simple structure and is easy to operate, which may accurately simulate mechanical properties of pile soils having different types of piled foundations in actual works, thereby facilitating researches on pile-soil testing.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for testing of injectable biomaterials and their performance in the treated materials, to obtain functional properties of the biomaterials and of the specimen injected with that biomaterial. The purpose of the method is to measure these properties during injection of a biomaterial into a target object, then measure the properties of a target object specimen after the injection, and then combine these results using material model-free data processing with possible prediction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the quality control of a component at least partially made of elastomer, particularly for a joint, including: a) carrying out at least one accommodation cycle on the component, the accommodation cycle involving applying a progressive compression force to the component and progressively releasing the compression force without pulling; b) applying a progressive compression force to the component in quasi static state according to a given component deformation predetermined profile; c) measuring the deformation of the component and the compression force applied while the compression force is applied; d) determining the conformity of the component under a loading other than that of the compression force of step b) from the measurement of the deformation of the component and the compression force applied.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for measuring recovery rate and total recovery time of viscoelastic foam samples. This apparatus will record the change in height with time to fully define how a viscoelastic foam responds to compression. The process generally includes compressing a compression plate against a surface of the viscoelastic foam sample from a nominal height to a pre-determined compressed height, maintaining the pre-determined compressed height for a period of time; retracting the compression plate at a rate greater than a recovery rate so as to disengage the compression plate from the viscoelastic foam sample, and measuring displacement as a function of time to provide a viscoelastic response profile. Measuring the displacement may be contact based or non-contact based.

Abstract: A test device has been invented for determining three-dimensional consolidation properties of soils, using a flexible ring permitting displacements and dissipation of the excess pore pressures in both horizontal and vertical directions, and affording determination of coefficients of consolidation in the horizontal and vertical directions, and the modulus of elasticity. The flexible ring consists of a filter fabric around the soil specimen, a rubber membrane around the filter, circular shaped segmented stainless steel plates around the membrane and rubber bands around the plates. Both the incremental loading or triaxial type loading systems can be used with this device. A calibration device for calibration of the flexible ring is used to determine the modulus of elasticity of elastic elements, required for calculating lateral resistance provided by the flexible ring during the test.

Abstract: A test device has been invented for determining three-dimensional consolidation properties of soils, using a flexible ring permitting displacements and dissipation of the excess pore pressures in both horizontal and vertical directions, and affording determination of coefficients of consolidation in the horizontal and vertical directions, and the modulus of elasticity. The flexible ring consists of a filter fabric around the soil specimen, a rubber membrane around the filter, circular shaped segmented metal plates around the membrane and rubber bands or rings around the plates. Both the incremental loading or triaxial type loading systems can be used with this device. A calibration device for calibration of the flexible ring is used to determine the modulus of elasticity of elastic elements, required for calculating lateral resistance provided by the flexible ring during the test.

Abstract: A particular composite test specimen includes a first tab, a second tab, and a gage section between the first tab and the second tab. The first tab, the second tab, and the gage section are machined from a composite test blank. The composite test blank includes a plurality of plies arranged with first ply layers having fibers oriented in a first direction and second ply layers having fibers oriented in a second direction, where the first direction is different than the second direction.

Abstract: During triaxial compression test, a soil specimen experiences reduction of its height with increase in its diameter. New cross-sectional area is calculated assuming uniform increase in diameter. This condition is seldom met in actual soil specimens, because specimen undergoes non-uniform increase in diameter and very often with localized bulging in specimen affecting the accuracy of calculation of deviator stress, shears strength and volume change characteristics. The expandable jacket included in this invention consists of circular segmental metal plates wrapped around the soil specimen and elastomeric rubber bands or rings around the segmental plates to permit uniform radial expansion and maintain uniform diameter of the specimen during the test and thereby providing accurate values of deviator stress, volume change characteristics and shear strength of soil specimen. The calibration device for calibration of expandable jacket shall provide the magnitude of correction to be made in deviator stress.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring creep in an object are provided. The creep monitoring system includes a creep sensor assembly that includes at least one image pattern pair disposed on a surface of the object. The creep monitoring method includes receiving information from the creep sensor assembly regarding an observed creep and an offset associated with the object, correcting the observed creep using the information regarding the offset and outputting the corrected information relative to the creep.

Abstract: A creep indication system and a method for determining a creep amount are disclosed. The system includes a first creep indicating member on a first rotating component and a second creep indicating member on a second rotating component. The second creep indicating member has at least one different creep characteristic from the first creep indicating member. The system further includes at least one measurement device configured to measure a change in radial position of at least one of the first creep indicating member or the second creep indicating member. The method includes measuring a first creep amount of a first creep indicating member and measuring a second creep amount of a second creep indicating member. The method further includes estimating a temperature of a rotating component using the first creep amount and the second creep amount.

Abstract: A system includes a creep indicating member on a rotating component, and a measurement device configured to measure a change in radial position of the creep indicating member. The system allows determination of, for example, rotating component life expectancy in a turbine, without exposing the rotating component.

Abstract: A creep tester for a precise and accurate creep test includes a movable actuator capable of loading corresponding to change in length of a specimen, a cam actuator operated in association with the movable actuator, and a self weight actuator. The movable actuator includes upper and lower spherical adjusting seats to hold upper and lower portions of the specimen, a spring disposed on the upper spherical adjusting seat to correspond to a minute deformation of the specimen, upper and lower movable tables respectively contacting the spring and the lower spherical adjusting seat, a load cell and a stationary table disposed on the upper movable table, and a movable loading table disposed below the lower movable table to apply a predetermined load to the specimen. The creep tester can perform a precise creep test by continuously applying a constant load without supplementation of hydraulic pressure.

Abstract: A test method for determining, quantifying, and qualifying the flow characteristics of a sealant material compound comprising the steps of applying a uniform layer of known initial mass of sealant material between two test surfaces and compressing the sealant material between the surfaces at a specific pressure for a specific length of time, and at a specific temperature, causing an amount of sealant to be extruded from between the test surfaces. The amount of the extruded sealant is measured and compared to the total mass of initial sealant material to determine the ratio of the extruded to initial sealant material. Based upon the mass ratio of extruded sealant material versus the initial sealant material, the flow characteristics of the sealant material may be expressed for any given combination of temperature, pressure, and duration and compared to other sealant materials.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the displacement of visco-elastoplastic media below a surface thereof comprises an upper plate mounted such that a displacement force exerted on the top surface thereof will move the upper plate a displacement distance downward toward a base. Guides maintain the upper plate and the base in alignment such that movement is along a displacement axis. A calibrated bias element exerts a calibrated bias force resisting movement of the upper plate toward the base. A displacement measuring device measures the displacement distance, and is operative to generate a movement signal corresponding to the displacement distance. A data acquisition system is operative to receive and record the movement signal, and calculate the displacement force exerted on the top surface of the upper plate required to move the upper plate the displacement distance against the calibrated bias force.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for monitoring the creep behavior of rotating components of a compressor stage or turbine stage. In the method, at least one test element (2) is mounted in a region of the compressor stage or turbine stage in which the test element is exposed to an operating load comparable to that of the component to be monitored. The test element (2) is investigated after a predeterminable operating period of the component to be monitored. Finally, the creep behavior of the component to be monitored is derived from the creep behavior of the test element. The method makes it possible to detect exactly the creep behavior or creep damage of the component to be monitored, during the useful life of this component.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring elastomeric properties of a specimen during a test procedure includes a first compression member. The apparatus also includes a second compression member. Moreover, the apparatus includes a load cell having a body and a movable probe. The body is fixed in relation to the first compression member. The apparatus also includes a load transferring member positioned in contact with the probe. The specimen is interposed between the load transferring member and the second compression member. The apparatus also includes a bolt which contacts both the first compression member and the second compression member so as to maintain a constant distance therebetween during the test procedure. A method for measuring elastomeric properties of a specimen during a test procedure is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compression tester which is designed to simulate as closely as possible the low temperature conditions a cable is subjected to in an outdoor environment. Axially aligned composite sample members are compressed longitudinally while fitted in a cylindrically enclosed space in a specially designed sample die assembly. Testing may take place in an environmental chamber.

Abstract: A test coupon for metal matrix composites is provided with means for structurally isolating the reinforcing fibers in the gage section from the reinforcing fibers in the clamped end regions of the coupon, when the latter is subjected to creep testing, so that the results of creep testing can be more accurately indicative of the creep properties associated with the fiber-reinforced metal matrix composite material in the coupon gage section. More particularly, the test coupon of the invention is provided with a plurality of slots or cut-out regions disposed in a section located between the clamped end regions and the centrally located gage section. The plurality of slots, which can be provided in longitudinally and/or laterally staggered arrays, effectively causes structural isolation of the reinforcing fibers in the gage section from the clamped reinforcing fibers located in the end regions of the coupon.

Abstract: A universal measuring apparatus for the determination of rheological properties of viscous, viscoelastic and purely elastic materials measures said properties solely by axial movement of the mechanical measuring components of the apparatus ("axial rheometer"). the apparatus comprises a stiff metal frame (1, 2, 3) of which one horizontal part (3) is used as a mount for a force transducer (9) with little or practically no deflection at full scale load and on which an exchangeable piston-shaped holder (10) is mounted axially while the opposing part of the frame (1) forms a mount for a displacement transducer (4) of the micropositioner type which acts directly upon an axially moveable piston-shaped holder (6, 8), the micropositioner being able to cause an axial displacement and to continuously determine the axial position of the moveable piston-shaped holder (6, 8) with an accuracy of approximately 0.1 .mu.m, thereby producing a deformation in a sample (11) positioned between the sample holders (8, 10).

Abstract: The compression elastic modulus of a blood sample is determined by compressing a blood sample (12) between plates (14 and 16) and comparing the voltage signal (32) output from the transducer (22) with a displacement calibration constant C.sub.d. The compression elastic modulus is determined on the same sample as the platelet mediated force development.

Abstract: Creep/recovery tests of a small sample are carried out on a conventional testing machine with vertical compression capabilities using an additional spring which allows the drive system of the testing machine to apply the force to the small sample substantially instantaneously and then to maintain that force substantially constant as required for a creep/recovery test. The addition of the spring allows the drive system to be halted at the predetermined required force with high accuracy. The spring is selected to have a large deformation relative to the deformation of the sample during the creep period so that the force is maintained substantially constant irrespective of the creep deformation of the sample. For the first time this arrangement allows creep/recovery tests of small samples such as seeds to be carried out.

Abstract: A stress relaxation characteristic of an elastomeric material such as rubber and other elastomers under pressure is established by determining the ratio of the difference between two forces acting on a test sample before and after the test sample is stored under compression, to the force acting on the test sample before the sample is stored under compression. First the sample is subjected to an initial deformation, whereby its initial thickness is reduced by 23-27%. Subsequent deformations then amount to not more than 0.05 mm. In order to achieve these quantitatively very small subsequent deformations, the sample is permitted to expand rather than being subjected to additional compressions. Maintaining the exact magnitude of these subsequent deformations in the form of expansions as well as carrying out accurate force measurements is much simpler than causing additional compressive deformations and measuring the respective forces.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing the friction and susceptibility to damage by casters of various floor materials. A sample of floor material is moved under a caster wheel by a moving table. The caster orientation, pressure and size are variable. Forces on the caster are monitored by instruments which also read the reaction of the floor sample to the test. Records are produced both in tabular and in graphic form.

Abstract: A compressive creep test fixture of box-like structure having a rectangular opening for testing a specimen and a pair of ports for applying a vacuum is provided. Rigid or semi-rigid elements, spaced from each other in a uniform manner, support the specimen at the rectangular opening during testing. The vacuum in the fixture holds the tested specimen in place on the support elements, and together the vacuum and support elements prevent buckling of very thin sheet materials under conditions of edgewise compressive loading.A method for using a compressive creep test fixture to determine mechanical properties of sheet materials.

Abstract: In an apparatus for determining the amount of compressive force exerted on an elastomeric material, there is provided an elastomeric material retainer, compression apparatus cooperative with the elastomeric material retainer and compressive force measuring apparatus and deflection apparatus to measure the amount of compressive force exerted on the elastomeric material and the amount of compression which the elastomeric material experiences.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for stressing a deformable material specimen. The apparatus consists of top plate 11 and bottom plate 12 sandwiching a guide cylinder 13. The specimen 14 is positioned on the bottom plate 12 and attached to a load piston 20 (FIG. 2). Force is applied through top plate 11 into guide cylinder 13. Once specimen 14 has been loaded, the stress is maintained by tightening tie bolt nuts 17.

Abstract: A compressive creep test fixture of box-like structure having a rectangular opening for testing a specimen and a pair of ports for applying a vacuum. Rigid or semi-rigid elements, spaced from each other in a uniform manner, support the specimen at the rectangular opening during testing. The vacuum in the fixture holds the tested specimen in place on the support elements, and together the vacuum and support elements prevent buckling of very thin sheet materials under conditions of edgewise compressive loading.A method for using a compressive creep test fixture to determine mechanical properties of sheet materials.

Abstract: A portable testing device for directly measuring developed lateral pressure induced on a material by a vertical applied pressure while the lateral expansion is adjustable. The testing device comprises a thin-walled cylindrical sleeve-like receptacle which is capable of lateral expansion in response to a vertical applied force on the material contained in the receptacle. The sleeve is provided with a slit formed in the wall thereof which extends between the upper and lower ends thereof to define first and second side edge portions. Apparatus is provided for preventing and/or adjusting lateral movement of the first side edge portion as the vertical applied force is applied to the material contained in the receptacle. A pressure sensing cylinder is connected to the second side edge portion and has a fluid pressure gauge operatively connected thereto for sensing the developed lateral stress.