Resonant Column and Torsional Shear Tester

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Resonant Column and Torsional Shear Tester

Application
For the determination of:

  • RC test
    • shear wave velocity
    • secant shear modulus G
    • damping ratio D
    • ratio from free-vibrations
  • TSS test
    • Secant shear modulus from stress-strain response
    • damping ratio from hysteresis loops
  • Automatic calculation of:
    • Resonant Frequency
    • Shear wave velocity
    • Shear modulus
    • Shear strain
    • Damping ratio from half power bandwidth
    • Damping ratio from free vibration decay

Operating principle
RESONANT COLUMN combines the features of both resonant column and torsional shear into a single unit including the current driven motor to apply torsional load to sample, a series of transducers with signal conditioning, a cell and back pressure electro-pneumatic control system and a data logger.

The SHEARMATIC 300 automatic machine is ideal for testing geosyntetics and also soil and other materials that contain large particles of up to 20 mm largest dimension. Sample size up to 300 mm square can be tested, with inserts allowing the testing of smaller sample sizes. See accessories.

RESONANT COLUMN combines the features of both resonant column and torsional shear into a single unit including the current driven motor to apply torsional load to sample, a series of transducers with signal conditioning, a cell and back pressure electro-pneumatic control system and a data logger.

RESONANT COLUMN combines the features of both resonant column and torsional shear into a single unit including the current driven motor to apply torsional load to sample, a series of transducers with signal conditioning, a cell and back pressure electro-pneumatic control system and a data logger.

Main Features

  • Combined Resonant Column / Torsional Simple Shear device
  • Automatic detection of fundamental frequency
  • RC: damping ratio from half power bandwidth and from free vibration data
  • TSS: damping ratio from hysteresis loops
  • Internal floating frame for large angular and axial deformation
  • Confining pressure up to 1 MPa
  • Suitable for 50 mm dia. specimen (or 38 mm on request)
  • Integrated signal generator and oscilloscope

Specifications

The RESONANT COLUMN consists of:

  • aluminium cell with stainless steel columns and acrylic transparent cylinder with 170 mm int. dia. x 200 mm ext. dia., including channels for bottom drainage;
  • test accessories for 50 mm ( 38 mm) dia. specimens;
  • Internal floating frame for assembling the electrical motor that applies the torsional loads; this motor has four NeFeB 10 x 25 x 40 mm magnets and eight coils.
  • main control box including:
    • power supply
    • current amplifier
    • 8 channels signal conditioning unit
    • USB data acquisition and signal generation board
    • two electro-pneumatic converters for cell & back pressure
  • sensor kit containing:
    • axial LVDT transducer
    • automatic volume change apparatus with flow inversion
    • three Pressure transducers
    • two Eddy current displacement sensors (with miniaturised driving system)
  • PC and software
NG-ResoColumn
Maximum Torque 1 Nm
Maximum Angular Deformation 10°
Maximum Cell and Back Pressure 1 MPa
Excitation Frequency - Dynamic (RC) 1-300 Hz
- Cyclic (TS) from 0 to 50 Hz maximum
Optional Sensor MEMS accelerometer
Optional Calibration Kit N°2 calibration bars kit + N°2 calibration weights

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