Stabilizer mat test system and methods

A test system for stabilizer mats, the system comprising:

• a compressible material component comprising a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is configured to receive a first stabilizer mat and the second surface is configured to receive a second stabilizer mat with one of the stabilizer mats being inverted;
• a first platen element and a second platen element, wherein the compressible material is positioned between the platen elements;
• a load supply component provides a load to one or more of the platen elements;
• a first measuring component measures one or more force values resultant from the load supplied to the compressible material component;
• a second measuring component measures one or more displacement values obtained from one or more of the first stabilizer mat and the second stabilizer mat;
• and
• a data collection component records the one or more force values and the one or more displacement values.

A method for testing stabilizer mats, the method comprising:

• inverting a first stabilizer mat;
• positioning the first stabilizer mat on a first surface of a compressible material component;
• locating a second stabilizer mat on a second surface of the compressible material component;
• placing a first platen element on the first stabilizer mat and a second platen element on the second stabilizer mat;
• installing one or more measuring components on the one or more stabilizer mats, the one or more measuring components configured to measure displacement values;
• supplying a force, wherein a fluid is supplied to the compressible material element by a fluid supply component and a load is supplied to the compressible material element by a load supply component, or both;
• and
• recording the displacement values measured by the one or more measuring components.