A system for measuring loading on a test specimen, the system comprising: a first loading bar and a second loading bar arranged along a longitudinal axis (A-A'), wherein the test specimen is arranged between the first and second loading bars (104, 106) along the longitudinal axis (A-A'); a first loading unit coupled to the first loading bar and configured to apply a first load to the first loading bar; a second loading unit coupled to the second loading bar and configured to apply a second load to the second loading bar; a first clamp disposed between the first loading unit and the test specimen along the longitudinal axis (A-A'), wherein the first clamp is configured to hold the first loading bar against the first load, and wherein, upon release of the first clamp, the first loading bar is configured to apply a first loading wave to the test specimen in response to the first load; a second clamp disposed between the second loading unit and the test specimen along the longitudinal axis (A-A'), wherein the second clamp is configured to hold the second loading bar against the second load, and wherein, upon release of the second clamp, the second loading bar is configured to apply a second loading wave to the test specimen in response to the second load; and a clamp actuating unit configured to selectively release at least the first clamp; the system being characterised in that the clamp actuating unit comprises: at least one first electromechanical transducer switchable between a retained state and a released state, wherein, in the retained state, the at least one first electromechanical transducer is configured to load the first clamp, such that the first clamp holds the first loading bar against the first load, and wherein, in the released state, the at least one first electromechanical transducer is configured to release the first clamp; and a controller configured to electrically actuate the at least one first electromechanical transducer from the retained state to the released state to release the first clamp, such that the first loading bar applies the first loading wave to the test specimen. a first loading bar and a second loading bar arranged along a longitudinal axis (A-A'), wherein the test specimen is arranged between the first and second loading bars (104, 106) along the longitudinal axis (A-A'); a first loading unit coupled to the first loading bar and configured to apply a first load to the first loading bar; a second loading unit coupled to the second loading bar and configured to apply a second load to the second loading bar; a first clamp disposed between the first loading unit and the test specimen along the longitudinal axis (A-A'), wherein the first clamp is configured to hold the first loading bar against the first load, and wherein, upon release of the first clamp, the first loading bar is configured to apply a first loading wave to the test specimen in response to the first load; a second clamp disposed between the second loading unit and the test specimen along the longitudinal axis (A-A'), wherein the second clamp is configured to hold the second loading bar against the second load, and wherein, upon release of the second clamp, the second loading bar is configured to apply a second loading wave to the test specimen in response to the second load; and a clamp actuating unit configured to selectively release at least the first clamp; at least one first electromechanical transducer switchable between a retained state and a released state, wherein, in the retained state, the at least one first electromechanical transducer is configured to load the first clamp, such that the first clamp holds the first loading bar against the first load, and wherein, in the released state, the at least one first electromechanical transducer is configured to release the first clamp; and a controller configured to electrically actuate the at least one first electromechanical transducer from the retained state to the released state to release the first clamp, such that the first loading bar applies the first loading wave to the test specimen.