The method for evaluating the compactness of a layer of railroad ballast near a railroad tie includes at least one step of taking at least two measurements (11,11a,11b) of the penetration resistance (Qd) of the ballast (13) near one and the same railroad tie (10), and a step of calculating the mean value (Qd.sub.mean) of these measurements (11,11a,11b) of penetration resistance (Qd). Also provided are a device for implementing such a method and a method for predicting the settlement of the ballast of a railroad track including a step of evaluating the compactness of a ballast near a railroad tie.

The method for evaluating the compactness of a layer of railroad ballast near a railroad tie includes at least one step of taking at least two measurements (11,11a,11b) of the penetration resistance (Qd) of the ballast (13) near one and the same railroad tie (10), and a step of calculating the mean value (Qd.sub.mean) of these measurements (11,11a,11b) of penetration resistance (Qd). Also provided are a device for implementing such a method and a method for predicting the settlement of the ballast of a railroad track including a step of evaluating the compactness of a ballast near a railroad tie.

This method makes it possible to characterize the seat of a railroad track through penetrometric and geo-endoscopic tests. It includes steps consisting of striking ram head of a light dynamic penetrometer to drive the tip of a train of rods into the seat, measuring the strength of the seat as a function of the pushing in depth of the train of rods, removing the train of rods from the seat, pushing a tube into a hole left by the train of rods, and sliding an image-recording camera inside the tube. The method includes additional automated steps consisting of measuring the position of the camera while it slides inside the tube, i.e., the dep that which the images are recorded, and couplingan analysis of the recorded images as a function of the depth with the strength measurements of the seat to characterize the different layers of the seat.

This method makes it possible to characterize the seat of a railroad track through penetrometric and geo-endoscopic tests. It includes steps consisting of striking ram head of a light dynamic penetrometer to drive the tip of a train of rods into the seat, measuring the strength of the seat as a function of the pushing in depth of the train of rods, removing the train of rods from the seat, pushing a tube into a hole left by the train of rods, and sliding an image-recording camera inside the tube. The method includes additional automated steps consisting of measuring the position of the camera while it slides inside the tube, i.e., the dep that which the images are recorded, and couplingan analysis of the recorded images as a function of the depth with the strength measurements of the seat to characterize the different layers of the seat.

An object hardness measuring device includes a first side portion, a second side portion, a pedestal unit, a load unit, a measuring unit, and a holding unit. The load unit applies a load to the measurement object. The measuring unit is able to measure, in a state where the load acts on the measurement object, at least one of a movement distance of the second side portion with respect to the first side portion and a change amount of the load when the second side portion is moved either at a predetermined speed or to a predetermined position. The holding unit is able to hold the measurement object, and is movable between the first side portion and the second side portion by the slide rail unit.

An object hardness measuring device includes a first side portion, a second side portion, a pedestal unit, a load unit, a measuring unit, and a holding unit. The load unit applies a load to the measurement object. The measuring unit is able to measure, in a state where the load acts on the measurement object, at least one of a movement distance of the second side portion with respect to the first side portion and a change amount of the load when the second side portion is moved either at a predetermined speed or to a predetermined position. The holding unit is able to hold the measurement object, and is movable between the first side portion and the second side portion by the slide rail unit.

The invention relates to a probe arranged for subsurface penetration of a soil for measuring properties of the soil. The probe comprising a probe body and at least one fiber optical sensor. The at least one fiber optical sensor is arranged for measuring at least one of a cone resistance, sleeve friction, pore water pressure or inclination.

The invention relates to a probe arranged for subsurface penetration of a soil for measuring properties of the soil. The probe comprising a probe body and at least one fiber optical sensor. The at least one fiber optical sensor is arranged for measuring at least one of a cone resistance, sleeve friction, pore water pressure or inclination.

A device for nondestructive viscoelastic characterization of materials, comprising: a tubular shell, having inside a through-recess provided with at least a first and a second shrinkage; a first rod, provided with a base of ferromagnetic material (8), sliding inside said shell between a first position, in which said ferrule does not project to the lower base of said shell, and a second position, in which said ferrule projects to said lower base; a first spring configured to push said ferrule outwards; a displacement sensor configured to read the displacement of said first rod; a button, sliding-between a stroke greater than the one of said first rod, and integral to a second rod provided with a magnet and coaxial to said first rod; a second spring.

A device for nondestructive viscoelastic characterization of materials, comprising: a tubular shell, having inside a through-recess provided with at least a first and a second shrinkage; a first rod, provided with a base of ferromagnetic material (8), sliding inside said shell between a first position, in which said ferrule does not project to the lower base of said shell, and a second position, in which said ferrule projects to said lower base; a first spring configured to push said ferrule outwards; a displacement sensor configured to read the displacement of said first rod; a button, sliding-between a stroke greater than the one of said first rod, and integral to a second rod provided with a magnet and coaxial to said first rod; a second spring.