Patent ID: 7650795
Filing Date: 2010-01-26
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A test cell for stress testing a test specimen, comprising: a first platen having a loading surface, an inclined surface, and a longitudinal axis extending from the loading surface to the inclined surface, the inclined surface of the first platen being inclined relative to a first plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first platen at an angle greater than zero degrees, the inclined surface having a specimen recess formed therein for receiving a portion of the test specimen, the specimen recess having a base formed parallel to the inclined surface; and a second platen having a loading surface, an inclined surface, and a longitudinal axis extending from the loading surface to the inclined surface, the inclined surface of the second platen being inclined relative to a second plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the second platen at an angle greater than zero degrees, the inclined surface having a specimen recess formed therein for receiving another portion of the test specimen, the specimen recess of the second platen having a base formed parallel to the inclined surface of the second platen, the second platen being substantially axially aligned with the first platen and the inclined surface of the second platen being positioned in a face-to-face, parallel relationship with the inclined surface of the first platen such that a shear stress is applied to the test specimen when the test specimen is positioned in the specimen recess of the first platen and the specimen recess of the second platen and a longitudinal axial load is applied to the first and second platens.