Computer Automated Chamber Test System

摘要

Equipment for performing computer-automated chamber tests (such as triaxialcompression tests) was developed in this investigation, including a valve that responds to computer-generated binary signals. In a chamber test, a soil specimen is enclosed in a rubber membrane and subjected to hydrostatic and deviatoric stress under conditions of controlled drainage. After a test specimen is set up inside a pressure chamber and all appropriate test parameters are input into the computer code, the controlling software takes over the test and executes all subsequent activities, including back-pressure saturation, Skempton's B-parameter checks, consolidation, and shear, without further assistance from the operator. Data is acquired, manipulated, and stored during test performance for use in decision making during the test and for plotting and display after the test. A consolidated-undrained triaxial test was performed on plastic clay to demonstrate the efficacy of the system and the results discussed. Procedures were developed and presented in detail for performing tests on partially saturated soil based on measurement of pore air pressure during shear.