Patent ID: 7143653
Filing Date: 2006-12-05
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A triaxial system for testing particulate matter under substantially dry triaxial load conditions comprising: a housing means fillable with confining fluid for providing confining pressure on a sample of dry particulate matter to be tested, the sample having a top and a bottom, the housing having an opening therein through which a portion of a load piston sealingly extends for providing a load on the sample, sample mounting means for mounting the sample within the housing, the sample mounting means including a top end platen for mounting at the top and a bottom end platen for disposition at the bottom of the sample, at least one flexible, impermeable membrane for enclosing the surface of the sample other than its ends and preventing the confining fluid from directly contacting the sample and preventing sample from being expelled from the portion of the sample covered by the membrane, fluid passage means connecting said housing to a volume change sensor for freely delivering confining fluid thereto, wherein said volume change sensor is adapted to measure the volume of confining fluid delivered thereto through said fluid passage means, and wherein said volume change sensor comprises means for measuring the weight of the confining fluid delivered thereto.