Patent ID: 8857265

Claim:
A leveling apparatus for orienting a test article relative to a load acting along an axial loading axis, comprising: a first member having a concave surface; a second member having a convex surface configured to engage the concave surface in a manner such that the second member is movable relative to the first member, the test article being non-integral with the first and second members, the test article being coupled to one of the first and second members such that relative movement thereof facilitates general alignment of the test article with the axial loading axis; the first and second member being movable relative to one another to a reoriented position upon the application of an initial axial compressive load, and being maintained in the reoriented position thereafter without a tensioning stud extending through the first and second member; and a plurality of positioning devices configured to facilitate adjustment of an orientation of the first member relative to the second member for adjusting the alignment of the test article relative to the axial loading axis, the positioning devices preventing movement of the second member relative to the first member.