In one version there is provided a test system including a layup tool having a layup surface, and two fairing bars attached to the layup surface. The test system includes the composite laminate having a plurality of stacked plies, and positioned between the two fairing bars. The test system includes fiber distortion initiator(s) positioned at one or more locations under, and adjacent to, one or more plies of the plurality of stacked plies. The test system includes two caul plates with a gap in between, and positioned over the composite laminate. When the test system undergoes a pressurized cure process with a vacuum compaction, a restricted outward expansion of the plurality of stacked plies by the fairing bars, and a pressure differential region formed by the one or more fiber distortion initiators at the one or more locations, create the controlled and repeatable out-of-plane fiber distortion in the composite laminate.

The present invention pertains to a device, system, and method for evaluating the condition of a wooden structure by automated profiling of the hardness of the structure. More particularly, the present invention is directed towards a probing device comprising a blade coupled to a resistance mechanism and a mechanical sensor for measuring the hardness of wood in a structure; a system comprising such a device, and a computing device coupled to the device that outputs the hardness measurements of the device; and a method for operating such a device and determining the condition of wood by identifying changes in hardness in a wooden structure.

A hardness tester includes a measurer (CPU) measuring a value for a material characteristic of a sample in conjunction with formation of an indentation, an acquirer (CPU) acquiring measurement data associated with the value for the material characteristic of the sample measured by the measurer, and a determiner (CPU) accumulating a predetermined value for the material characteristic based on the measurement data acquired by the acquirer and determining a time to replace the indenter based on the accumulated value for the material characteristic.

The invention relates to a method and a measuring device for detecting measurement signals during a penetrating movement of an indenter (14) into a surface of a test specimen (12) or a coating of a test specimen (12), in particular for determining the adhesive strength of the coating on the test specimen (12), in which the test specimen (12) is fixed on a measuring table (18) of a measuring device (11), in which an optical device (16) is used to determine a starting point (92) for a test section (91) on the test specimen (12), in which the starting point (92) of the test specimen (12) is determined by a displacement movement of the measuring table (18), which is actuated by a control system of the measuring device (11), is aligned with the indenter (14), in which the indenter (14) is placed on the starting point (92) of the test specimen (12) by the control system of the measuring device (11) with a displacement movement along the Z-axis, in which the indenter (14) is subjected to a test force acting in the Z-direction up to the end point (93) of the test section (91), in which a superimposed displacement movement of the measuring table (18) in the X-direction and in the Y-direction is controlled at least intermittently, so that the indenter (14) is guided on the test specimen (12) along an at least two-dimensional test section (91), until the end point (93) of the test section (91) is reached, wherein measuring signals are detected by at least two measuring devices (57, 67) during the displacement movement of the indenter (14) along the test section (91), which are aligned differently to the Z-direction and in different spatial directions to the indenter (23).

The molded body is a non-foamed molded body including a polyurethane, wherein a Martens hardness measured at a point on the surface of the molded body positioned at a shortest distance from the center of gravity G is 1.0 N/mm.sup.2 or more, and three points of Martens hardness measured in a cross-section of the molded body satisfies a specific relational expression, wherein an index value K.sub.? from a scattering profile obtained by allowing a characteristic X-ray from a Cu tube to incident on a surface region to be evaluated of the molded body satisfies a specific relational expression, and wherein the molded body has an erosion rate E of 0.6 ?m/g or less, which is measured with spherical alumina particles having an average particle diameter (D.sub.50) of 3.0 ?m in the surface region to be evaluated.

A method for determining constitutive parameters of a subject material includes collecting a force sensor output from a force sensor unit for measuring reactive forces applied to a deformation tool from a subject material travelling in a predefined direction relative to the deformation tool, collecting an image sequence output from a camera unit depicting a deformation zone formed between the deformation tool and the subject material as the subject material is plastically deformed by the deformation tool, and estimating a constitutive parameter of the subject material based on the force sensor output and the image sequence output.

An indentation testing device that pushes an indenter into a sample, includes: an enclosure having a pressing surface to be pressed against the sample; the indenter, which is disposed so as to protrude from the pressing surface by a predetermined amount and is pushed into the sample; a load cell that is disposed between the enclosure and the indenter and that measures at least a force parallel to the indentation direction and acting on the indenter; and a Young's modulus display unit that calculates and displays the Young's modulus of the sample on the basis of the force acting on the indenter when the pressing surface comes into contact with the sample, as measured with the load cell.

Devices, apparatus, systems and methods for providing a compact, lightweight, handheld pressuremeter controller to perform a soil balloon test with a probe placed into soil, to determine soil strengths and/or stiffnesses/and/or deformations values of the soil. The controller inflates and deflates the balloon through a tubing a quick connect attachment and internal piston-cylinder and tubing components. The controller has a switch, which when activated allows the fully saturated automated device linear or step motor to inject water into the probe while soil resistance pressures and balloon volumes are recorded. Water, or a similar fluid, is injected into the probe until it reaches the prescribed volume. Once that volume is achieved, the motors are controlled to deflate the balloon and the test data is converted from pressure and volume into stress and strain and then to values for soil stiffness and strength.

A new method for evaluating embrittlement of an amorphous alloy ribbon is provided. The method includes: pressing a pressurization member from one side to a plurality of positions of an amorphous alloy ribbon; scattering, in the amorphous alloy ribbon, pressurization portions where the pressurization member is pressed to form indentation; and evaluating embrittlement by the number or distribution of pressurization portions where cracks have occurred.

A hardness tester includes a measurer (CPU) measuring a value for a material characteristic of a sample in conjunction with formation of an indentation, an acquirer (CPU) acquiring measurement data associated with the value for the material characteristic of the sample measured by the measurer, and a determiner (CPU) accumulating a predetermined value for the material characteristic based on the measurement data acquired by the acquirer and determining a time to replace the indenter based on the accumulated value for the material characteristic.