The subject invention pertains to a suction-controllable triaxial test system and a method for studying the micro-hydro-mechanical behavior of unsaturated soils through the visualization of the in-situ evolution of three-dimensional (3D) microstructure upon triaxial loading in a ((p-u.sub.a), q, s) space. The triaxial apparatus can be small enough to be operated within a micro-focus or nano-focus X-ray CT scanner. Internal characteristics and 3D movements of soil particles and the water and air in soil pores can be visualized during in-situ controllable hydro-mechanical loading processes without disturbing the soil sample. The evolution of 3D micro-structure of unsaturated soil samples of varying matric suction can be directly related with their element-scale behavior for conducting cross-scale fundamental studies.

An accelerated loading road-testing system includes a plurality of loading mechanisms. The plurality of loading mechanisms are sequentially arranged along a first direction. The loading mechanism includes a supporting frame, a sliding assembly, and a loading assembly. The supporting frame includes a horizontal supporting beam disposed along a second direction. The horizontal supporting beam has a sliding state in which the horizontal supporting beam slides along a third direction, and a static state in which the horizontal supporting beam is static. The sliding assembly is slidable on the horizontal supporting beam along the second direction. The loading assembly includes a telescopic cylinder and a loading head. A first end of the telescopic cylinder is hinged to the sliding assembly, the second end of the telescopic cylinder is securely connected to the loading head, the telescopic cylinder is configured to always drive the loading head to move along the third direction.

The present invention discloses a landslide experimental device for remotely controlling and simulating a constant seepage flow and weight load and an experimental method thereof in centrifuge test. The landslide experimental device includes a model box, a landslide device, a near-constant water flow control box, remote control devices and a water outlet pipe. The landslide device comprises a landslide model, a load balancing device, a weight storage device, an angle control panel and a tension bar. The remote control devices are arranged at the control box water outlet, at the control box water inlet, on the tension bar, on telescoping control sensors and on the weight storage device, respectively. With the present invention, the influences on the stability of landslide model with different landslide angles under the condition of the seepage flow and weight load can be simulated.

Disclosed are a hydro-mechanical coupling experimental device with CT real-time scanning and a use method thereof. The hydro-mechanical coupling experimental device with the CT real-time scanning includes a CT scanning room and further includes a support frame, a hydro-mechanical coupling mechanism and a jack that are arranged in the CT scanning room. The support frame includes a base, a top plate, a plurality of columns for arranging the top plate and the base at intervals, and a movable plate that is arranged between the top plate and the base and can slide on the plurality of columns. The hydro-mechanical coupling mechanism includes an experimental box, a pressure box arranged inside the experimental box and a compression leg slidingly worn on a top of the experimental box; and the experimental box is arranged on the movable plate, and the jack is arranged on the base.

A compact material testing system is configured to expose multiple samples housed within separate sample chambers to simulated fluid, thermal, and mechanical loading conditions. The system includes multiple independent load actuators positioned to extend actuator rods into corresponding sample chambers to apply mechanical loading to the test sample within. A fluid control system is included to bathe each test sample in a fluid medium and replenish the fluid medium within its sample chamber as needed. Each sample chamber includes a gas inlet and gas outlet to provide non-turbulent circulation and control of atmospheric composition above the fluid medium inside the chamber. A logic programmable controller is provided for input of test parameters and automated simultaneous control of mechanical loading, fluid flow, and temperature in the sample chambers.

The present disclosure provides an apparatus and method of use thereof for compressive creep testing of materials in the presence of fluids. The apparatus includes a cantilever arm connected on a first end to a cantilever pivot and including a weight holder on a second end; a first platen connected to the cantilever arm via a swivel located between the first end and the second end; a reservoir; and a second platen disposed within the reservoir and positioned to secure a sample between the first platen and the second platen when a force is applied via the weight holder and the first platen to a sample. Electrical properties of the material can be monitored and measured during the compression creep testing.

A system for performing electrochemical and hydrogen permeation measurements using a test specimen subject to tensile stress comprises a first housing filled with a process fluid supplied via an inlet with hydrogen sulfide, a second housing filled with a basic solution, a test specimen positioned between the first and second housings exposed to the process fluid on one side and to the basic solution on the other, first and second potentiostats coupled to the first and second housings to measure corrosion and induce hydrogen permeation, a loading device adapted to apply a longitudinal strain on the specimen, and a computing device configured to control operation of the potentiostat and loading device. The hydrogen sulfide in the process fluid impedes formation of diatomic hydrogen from atomic hydrogen, allowing adsorbed atomic hydrogen to enter into the steel test specimen from one side and permeate into the other side of the test specimen.

An apparatus can comprise a basin that is configured to hold water. A heating source can be configured to heat the water in the basin to a temperature within a select range. A water-permeable substrate can extend across an upper surface of the basin, the water-permeable substrate simulating a subfloor (or other material upon which a covering material is positioned). Samples can be placed on the water-permeable substrate for a select duration to determine effects of moisture exposure from underneath, e.g., the subfloor.

In one aspect, an apparatus includes a chamber configured to control one or more of humidity, pressure, or temperature and a jaw configured to flex a material system. The chamber includes an enclosure disposed within the chamber, the enclosure having an insulating material, and a motor or an actuator disposed within the enclosure. The chamber includes an inlet tube coupled with the enclosure at a first end and a first wall of the chamber at a second end. In one aspect, a method for determining material performance includes exposing a material system to a relative humidity of from 0% to 98% and flexing the material system at a first temperature in a chamber, the chamber comprising an enclosure disposed within the chamber and a motor disposed within the enclosure. The method includes operating the motor at a second temperature different from the first temperature during the flexing.

An apparatus can comprise a basin that is configured to hold water. A heating source can be configured to heat the water in the basin to a temperature within a select range. A water-permeable substrate can extend across an upper surface of the basin, the water-permeable substrate simulating a subfloor (or other material upon which a covering material is positioned). Samples can be placed on the water-permeable substrate for a select duration to determine effects of moisture exposure from underneath, e.g., the subfloor.