Various embodiments are described herein of methods and systems for measuring at least one mechanical characteristic of a soft material are provided according to the teachings herein. The embodiments described herein generally employ the use of a mechanical inclusion in the soft material, measuring at least one pressure and volume data point and applying a mechanical relation associated with the mechanical characteristic(s) to the measured data point(s) to determine the mechanical characteristic(s).

A device for fatigue test includes a sample-laying part, a sample support, and a force-applying part. The sample-laying part is disposed on the sample support; and the force-applying part is disposed on the sample-laying part; the sample-laying part includes a substrate plate and at least two arms disposed on the substrate plate; the sample support includes a bed plate and at least four roller assemblies disposed on the bed plate; each roller assembly includes a roller, a roller support, and an adjusting bolt; the roller support is disposed on the bed plate; the roller is disposed on the roller support; the adjusting bolt is disposed between the roller and the roller support; and the sample support further includes at least one barrier, and both ends of the barrier are connected to two adjacent roller supports, respectively.

An apparatus for measuring for measuring coefficient of restitution which is capable of reducing a mass effect and performing tests in free directions, is disclosed. The apparatus for measuring coefficient of restitution includes a holder for holding a spherical indenter, an ejection mechanism configured to eject the indenter held by the holder from the holder to a specimen, a speed measuring unit configured to measure an impact speed that is a speed of the indenter before the indenter impacts against the specimen, and a rebound speed that is a speed of the indenter after the indenter is rebounded from the specimen; and an arithmetic unit configured to calculate a coefficient of restitution that is a ratio of the rebound speed to the impact speed.

Polyethylene living hinges used in snap top lids for condiments and the like may be electron bean irradiated to partially crosslink the polyethylene to produce a hinge having an improvement in the number of opening and closing cycles until failure of not less than 30%. The irradiated lids may be used in place of polypropylene lids for condiment containers.

A testing apparatus for onsite creation of cured sample liners necessary for confirming proper rehabilitation of pipelines includes a testing box having a base with a plurality of upstanding side walls defining an open upper end of the testing box. The testing box also includes an electrical power control assembly and an ultraviolet light assembly. A liner support manifold is shaped and dimensioned for supporting a sample liner and for attachment to the open upper end of the testing box for exposing the sample liner to pressure and ultraviolet light. In practice, and with the sample liner secured to the liner support manifold and the liner support manifold secured to the testing box, the sample liner is exposed to pressure and UV light in a highly controlled manner allowing for replication of actual in-line curing processing.

In one embodiment, a concrete strength testing system includes a core drill having a core barrel, a press associated with the core drill that is configured to drive the core barrel into concrete to be tested, a force sensor associated with the core drill that is configured to measure a force with which the core barrel is driven into the concrete by the press, and a depth measurement device configured to measure a depth into the concrete to which the core barrel is driven by the press.

A pre-tension and tensile impact test apparatus capable of simulating a full-sea-depth environment includes a pre-tensioning device, a Hopkinson bar device, a seawater pressure simulation device, a power source group and an acquisition control unit. The Hopkinson bar device includes an input rod, an air compressing device, a test sample and an output rod. The pre-tensioning device, the input rod, the air compressing device, the seawater pressure simulation device, the test sample and the output rod are successively arranged on the same axis. The air compressing device includes an air cylinder, an end cover and an impact piston. Two ends of the air cylinder are each provided with the end cover. The impact piston and the air cylinder are in clearance fit. The input rod is coaxially connected to the impact piston. Two ends of the input rod each extend out of the end cover.

A system for testing at least one test piece. The system includes a pressure vessel including a first chamber receiving a first fluid at a first pressure. The pressure vessel further includes a second chamber receiving a second fluid. The pressure vessel further includes an actuating membrane fluidly separating the first chamber from the second chamber. The system further includes a test vessel including an internal chamber disposed in fluid communication with the second chamber. The test vessel further includes at least one test wall coupled to the at least one test piece. The system further includes an actuator engaged with the actuating membrane and configured to apply a time-varying force on the actuating membrane while the first pressure is being applied by the first fluid on the actuating membrane.

Systems and methods are provided for adaptive and automatic switching between pneumatic and hydraulic modes. An example system includes one or more handling components configured for supporting mechanical testing, where each handling component configured for use in conjunction with handling material during the mechanical testing, and where each handling component is pneumatically or hydraulically driven, at least one controller configured for controlling at least one handling component, and circuitry configurable to provide adaptive and automatic switching among a plurality of modes of operation that include, at least a pneumatic mode and a hydraulic mode. The circuitry is configured to, when providing the adaptive and automatic switching, determine hardware configuration of the system, select based on the hardware configuration, a mode of operation, with the selected mode of operation being one of the pneumatic mode and the hydraulic mode, and when needed, cause a switch to the determined mode of operation.

Described is a method of controlling a material testing system that includes controlling an actuator to transfer a first force acting in a first direction to a test material. The method further includes receiving, via one or more sensors, continuous data indicating one or more physical quantities associated with the test material. Based upon the continuous data, it may be determined that a change in one or more physical quantities has occurred. Based upon a change in one or more physical quantities it may be determined that an end point of a material test has been reached. The method further includes controlling an actuator to stop transfer of the first force and further to controlling the actuate to transfer a second force which acts to counteract the effects of the first force and prevent unwanted motion of one or more portions of the material testing system.