Patent ID: 7051600
Filing Date: 2006-05-30
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A triaxial testing system of material properties, said system comprising: a test specimen with the material properties to be tested; and an apparatus wherein said apparatus comprises: a top and a bottom joint assembly, each of said assemblies having sleeves capable of rotational movement about and linear movement along a longitudinal axis; a plurality of horizontal force members having first and second ends, each of said horizontal force members connected at the first end to one of said joint assemblies for receiving the rotational and linear movement of said top and bottom joint assemblies; a plurality of horizontal loading assemblies, each of said horizontal loading assemblies connected to the second end of at least one of said horizontal force members for receiving the rotational and linear movement of said horizontal force members; a plurality of horizontal clamping assemblies, each of said horizontal clamping assemblies connected to said horizontal loading assemblies at an end opposite of said horizontal loading assemblies connected to said horizontal force members, for horizontally clamping said test specimen and for receiving the rotational and linear movement of said horizontal loading assemblies and transferring the movement as multi-axial and shear loading to said test specimen; a plurality of vertical force members connected to a sleeve of each of said top and bottom joint assemblies for receiving the rotational and linear movement of said top and bottom joint assemblies; a plurality of vertical loading assemblies connected to said vertical force members for receiving the rotational and linear movement of said vertical force members and; a plurality of vertical clamping assemblies, each of said vertical clamping assemblies connected to one of said vertical loading assemblies at an end opposite of said vertical loading assemblies connected to said vertical force members for vertically clamping said test specimen and for receiving the rotational and linear movement of said vertical loading assemblies and transferring the movement as vertical and shear loading to said test specimen.