Simple shear device for testing earthen materials and powders

A simple shear device for testing earthen samples and powders comprising:

• (a) a cuboidal sample containing means comprising a rubber membrane reinforced by a stacked plurality of plates which are slidably movable laterally relative to one another and have a hollow cuboidal central area for holding the sample;
• (b) spaced lower and upper platens parallel to one another between which the plurality of plates containing the sample may be placed;
• (c) means for applying a vertical load to said upper platen urging it toward the lower platen to compress said specimen therebetween;
• (d) means for applying a shear load or shear displacement to the lower platen;
• (e) means for monitoring the resulting stresses and strains in a central section of said sample, when force is applied to said sample while confined between said platens.

A method for testing earthen materials and powders comprising the steps of:

• (a) placing a cuboidal sample, between first and second platens having faces at between parallel and 45.degree. relative orientation to one another, said sample being in a cuboidal sample containing means, which containing means comprises a stacked plurality of plates which are slidably movable laterally relative to one another and which plates have a hollow cuboidal, central area for holding the sample;
• (b) applying a first force to said first platen urging it toward the second platen so that the sample is compressed therebetween by said first force;
• (c) applying a second force to one of said platens to urge said platen in an angular direction relative to the direction of said first force, thus applying a shear force to said sample;
• (d) monitoring the resulting stresses and strains in a central section of said sample when said forces are applied to said sample while confined between said platens.

A method for testing earthen materials and powders comprising the steps of:

• (a) placing a cuboidal sample in a rubber membrane reinforced by a stacked plurality of plates in a mold between a lower and an upper platen, said stacked plurality of plates having a hollow cuboidal central area for holding the sample, and said lower and upper platen being parallel to one another;
• (b) removing said mold;
• (c) applying a vertical load to said upper platen;
• (d) applying a shear load or shear displacement to said lower platen;
• (e) monitoring the resulting stresses and strains in a central section of said sample.