Measurement of specimen dimensions and dynamic pressure in dynamic triaxial experiments

Novel experimental techniques are developed to measure the rapid changes in specimen dimensions during dynamic triaxial experiments. A capacitance gage is designed and constructed to measure the diameter change of the specimen inside the pressure chamber at both low and high rates. The length change is determined by a linear variable differential transformer at low rates and by Kolsky bar signals at high rates. The Kolsky bar also measures the dynamic axial stress in the specimen during the high-rate phase of an experiment. A line pressure gage records the hydrostatic pressure in the chamber. The dynamic pressure variation in the chamber during axial impact loading is detected by a manganin gage placed inside the chamber. The feasibility of this new experimental setup is demonstrated by dynamic triaxial experiments on a fine dry sand. c 2009 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3271538]