Patent ID: 8276464

Claim:
A loading device for a test piece including a first side and a second side, the first side generally opposing the second side, the loading device comprising: a first member including a first surface, the first surface configured to contact the first side of the test piece; a first clamping member fixedly secured to the first member and including a first clamping surface, where the first clamping surface is configured to contact the second side of the test piece, the first clamping surface elongated in a first direction and defining a first longitudinal axis; a second member including a second surface configured to contact the second side of the test piece; a second clamping member fixedly secured to the second member and including a second clamping surface, wherein the second clamping surface is configured to contact the first side of the test piece, the second clamping surface elongated in a second direction and defining a second longitudinal axis, the second longitudinal axis positioned generally perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis; and an actuator in communication with the second member and configured to exert a predetermined force to drive the second member in a first loading direction away from the first member and a second loading direction toward the first member, the first loading direction being generally perpendicular to the first direction; wherein the second clamping member is configured to exert the predetermined force on the test piece when the second member is driven in the first loading direction, and the second member is configured to exert the predetermined force on the test piece when the second member is driven in the second loading direction; and wherein the first clamping surface and the second clamping surface face in generally opposite directions, such that the first and second clamping surfaces apply opposing loads to the second and first sides of the test piece, respectively, when the second member is driven in the first loading direction.