An apparatus for calibrating a shear test tool utilizes a resilient pivot mechanism to improve accuracy and reliability of the force calibration. The apparatus includes a fixed element, a pivotable element configured to be rotatable relative to the fixed element, and a resilient pivot mechanism coupled between the fixed element and the pivotable element to form a pivot. The pivotable element is rotatable about the pivot to lift a weight coupled to the pivotable element when the shear test tool applies a force on the pivotable element in order to rotate the pivotable element and lift the weight.

[FIG. 1A]

An apparatus for calibrating a shear test tool utilizes a resilient pivot mechanism to improve accuracy and reliability of the force calibration. The apparatus includes a fixed element, a pivotable element configured to be rotatable relative to the fixed element, and a resilient pivot mechanism coupled between the fixed element and the pivotable element to form a pivot. The pivotable element is rotatable about the pivot to lift a weight coupled to the pivotable element when the shear test tool applies a force on the pivotable element in order to rotate the pivotable element and lift the weight.

[FIG. 1A]

Methods and apparatus to perform mechanical property testing are disclosed. An example testing device includes a computing device configured to obtain a measurement value related to the material or component under test. The computing device includes: a display device; an input device; a processor; and memory coupled to the processor to store computer readable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: display, via the display device, a testing mode interface either directly or in response to selection of the testing mode interface at the first interface, the testing mode interface configured to enable selection of a predetermined test definition interface; and in response to selection of the predetermined test definition interface via the input device, display a test interface, the test interface comprising: inputs for a predetermined subset of configurable test parameters of the testing device; and activation of a mechanical property test.

Methods and apparatus to perform mechanical property testing are disclosed. An example testing device includes a computing device configured to obtain a measurement value related to the material or component under test. The computing device includes: a display device; an input device; a processor; and memory coupled to the processor to store computer readable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: display, via the display device, a testing mode interface either directly or in response to selection of the testing mode interface at the first interface, the testing mode interface configured to enable selection of a predetermined test definition interface; and in response to selection of the predetermined test definition interface via the input device, display a test interface, the test interface comprising: inputs for a predetermined subset of configurable test parameters of the testing device; and activation of a mechanical property test.

A method for determining a plasticity parameter of a hydrating, cement paste by mixing the components to obtain a cement slurry, pouring the cement slurry in a scaled oedometric cell, and performing an oedometric measurement operation within a predefined early-age time interval by applying a predefined axial stress path to the cement slurry over a predefined measurement duration and measuring an axial strain. A plasticity parameter of the hydrating cement paste is determined b a calibration processing operation comprising providing an initial value of a plasticity parameter of an elastoplastic model of hydrating cement paste, determining simulated axial strain values by solving the elastoplastic model of hydrating cement and comparing the simulated axial strain values with the axial strain measurements of the cement slurry.

A method for determining a plasticity parameter of a hydrating, cement paste by mixing the components to obtain a cement slurry, pouring the cement slurry in a scaled oedometric cell, and performing an oedometric measurement operation within a predefined early-age time interval by applying a predefined axial stress path to the cement slurry over a predefined measurement duration and measuring an axial strain. A plasticity parameter of the hydrating cement paste is determined b a calibration processing operation comprising providing an initial value of a plasticity parameter of an elastoplastic model of hydrating cement paste, determining simulated axial strain values by solving the elastoplastic model of hydrating cement and comparing the simulated axial strain values with the axial strain measurements of the cement slurry.

Many construction materials are chemically active materials whose structural properties parameters, physical-mechanical properties, etc. need to be determined. By exploiting embedded wireless sensors within these materials from initial wet manufactured state to final solid capillary-porous material assessment of initial and subsequent properties can be established allowing determination of current and future performance of the construction material. Embedded sensors can also monitor lifetime properties to identify performance degradations in the construction material as well as other construction elements embedded within or around the construction material. Further, the data accumulated from initial manufacturing to extended lifetime allows for additional assessments and improvements with respect to selection of construction material mix for a particular project at a particular location and time, improving the assessment of proactive repair and/or remedial work, quality control monitoring, cost reduction etc.

Many construction materials are chemically active materials whose structural properties parameters, physical-mechanical properties, etc. need to be determined. By exploiting embedded wireless sensors within these materials from initial wet manufactured state to final solid capillary-porous material assessment of initial and subsequent properties can be established allowing determination of current and future performance of the construction material. Embedded sensors can also monitor lifetime properties to identify performance degradations in the construction material as well as other construction elements embedded within or around the construction material. Further, the data accumulated from initial manufacturing to extended lifetime allows for additional assessments and improvements with respect to selection of construction material mix for a particular project at a particular location and time, improving the assessment of proactive repair and/or remedial work, quality control monitoring, cost reduction etc.

The present invention provides a device and method for testing wear and friction properties of different materials under various experimental conditions representative of real usage conditions. In general, the device according to the invention is based on contacting a sample with a rotating disk with intermittent contact, in “open cycle” conditions, where dynamic loads are applied to the sample for the contact to occur. The control of dynamic loading is fully independent of the disk rotation.

The present invention provides a device and method for testing wear and friction properties of different materials under various experimental conditions representative of real usage conditions. In general, the device according to the invention is based on contacting a sample with a rotating disk with intermittent contact, in “open cycle” conditions, where dynamic loads are applied to the sample for the contact to occur. The control of dynamic loading is fully independent of the disk rotation.