Mechanical testing apparatus and method for studying fatigue cracking of road materials.

摘要

P The mechanical test apparatus comprises a frame (1) comprising a base (2) provided with housings (9, 10) intended to receive a generally elongated test piece (11) and a carrier (6) carrying means (13 to 15) for biasing the specimen (11), the biasing means (13 to 15) comprising an axis (15) for transmitting to the specimen (11) biasing forces perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the test piece (11). The axis (15) may be provided with a head (16) formed so as to transform the biasing forces into shear stresses. BR/ In addition, the mechanical testing apparatus comprises means for measuring the biasing forces as well as means for measuring the progression of a crack front. / P