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.

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.

Fully automatic true triaxial tunnel and underground project model test system, including a triaxial loading device for loading model test piece, automatic data collection and analysis device, power system and control system; triaxial loading device includes test bench, vertical loading system, horizontal front and back, and left and right loading systems, and the vertical, horizontal front and back, and left and right loading systems apply three-way pressure to model test body; test bench functions for supporting, fixing, and providing counter-force; automatic data collection and analysis device includes micro optical fiber sensor embedded in model test piece, optical fiber monitoring system, micro pressure box and strain brick, and can collect multi-field information.

Fully automatic true triaxial tunnel and underground project model test system, including a triaxial loading device for loading model test piece, automatic data collection and analysis device, power system and control system; triaxial loading device includes test bench, vertical loading system, horizontal front and back, and left and right loading systems, and the vertical, horizontal front and back, and left and right loading systems apply three-way pressure to model test body; test bench functions for supporting, fixing, and providing counter-force; automatic data collection and analysis device includes micro optical fiber sensor embedded in model test piece, optical fiber monitoring system, micro pressure box and strain brick, and can collect multi-field information.

A hand-held lift loop assembly tester apparatus and method tests peel strength of a heat seal connection between a lift loop patch and a bulk bag body as an indicator of shear strength of the connection and whether the bag will pass industry safety lifting requirements. A lifting platform of the hand loop tester is inserted between the patch and the bag body in an unsealed area and measures the amount of peel and thus the peel strength of the heat seal bond or connection at the edges or sides of the unsealed area. If the peel strength is adequate, this is a reliable indicator that the shear strength of the bond or connection is also adequate and that the bag will meet the current industry required 5 to 1 safety lifting requirements.

A hand-held lift loop assembly tester apparatus and method tests peel strength of a heat seal connection between a lift loop patch and a bulk bag body as an indicator of shear strength of the connection and whether the bag will pass industry safety lifting requirements. A lifting platform of the hand loop tester is inserted between the patch and the bag body in an unsealed area and measures the amount of peel and thus the peel strength of the heat seal bond or connection at the edges or sides of the unsealed area. If the peel strength is adequate, this is a reliable indicator that the shear strength of the bond or connection is also adequate and that the bag will meet the current industry required 5 to 1 safety lifting requirements.

A test apparatus and method for use, in situ, to identify leaks in individual tubes in an air-cooled heat exchanger includes a pressurizing component and a pressure retaining component that are secured in the opposite ends of an individual tube by engagement of a lock member in the threaded opening in the respective adjacent headers from which the access port covers have been removed. A pressurized test liquid, e.g., water, is admitted via the test apparatus pressurizing component to fill the tube by initially venting and then closing a drain valve on the pressure retaining component and controllably increasing the hydrostatic pressure on the tube to a predetermined value and monitoring a gauge in the pressurizing component for any loss of the final test pressure, thereby confirming a leak, after which the tube is drained and sealed to remove it from service.

A test apparatus and method for use, in situ, to identify leaks in individual tubes in an air-cooled heat exchanger includes a pressurizing component and a pressure retaining component that are secured in the opposite ends of an individual tube by engagement of a lock member in the threaded opening in the respective adjacent headers from which the access port covers have been removed. A pressurized test liquid, e.g., water, is admitted via the test apparatus pressurizing component to fill the tube by initially venting and then closing a drain valve on the pressure retaining component and controllably increasing the hydrostatic pressure on the tube to a predetermined value and monitoring a gauge in the pressurizing component for any loss of the final test pressure, thereby confirming a leak, after which the tube is drained and sealed to remove it from service.

The present invention provides a device and method for installing sensor/transductor elements on the inside wall of tubular structures, comprising a step of cleaning the inside of a duct and a step of installing the sensor/transductor. The mechanical device that is the subject matter of the present invention comprises four articulated arms (2), each one being coupled at the ends thereof to through-slits (23) in prismatic components (21) and the latter coupled to control elements (1) and (31) which by means of the threaded axial through-holes (24) thereof are screwed to the power screw axes (30) and (32) and by actuating same by rotating the extension tube (5) cause radial movement of the articulated arms (2), said retractable mechanical device also comprising centralizing elements (34) composed of at least 4 spring shafts (35).

An in-situ test device and method for surrounding rock strength of bolt supported roadway is provided. The test device includes a fixing mechanism, a loading mechanism, a measuring mechanism and a control system. The loading mechanism includes a hydraulic pump and a plunger pump, the hydraulic pump drives the plunger pump to work and controls the lifting speed of the loading cylinder; the measuring mechanism includes an infrared ranging unit and a wireless pressure monitoring unit; the control system controls the work of the loading mechanism and processes the monitoring data. The test device is directly installed in the roadway and fixed with the bolt. The device is loaded after leveling, the device is disassembled after the monitoring data are obtained, and the in-situ test for the surrounding rock strength of the bolt supported roadway is completed. The steps are simple and adaptable.