Method, apparatus and system for testing the self-sealing capabilities of a concrete sample

An apparatus for creating a crack in a concrete sample to facilitate testing self-sealing properties of the concrete sample, the apparatus comprising:

• a base;
• first and second opposed support structures projecting from said base;
• a top member moveable relative to said support structures and being opposed to said base;
• first and second opposed stabilizers, each of which are connectable to said first and second opposed support structures by a biasing device operable to fasten each said stabilizer to said support structures, said biasing device comprising a spring such that said stabilizers resiliently engage the concrete sample;
• and
• a first force member connected to said base and a second force member connected to said top member.

An apparatus for creating a crack in a concrete sample to facilitate testing the self-sealing properties of the concrete sample, the apparatus comprising:

• a base;
• first and second opposed support structures projecting from said base;
• a top member moveable relative to said support structures and being opposed to said base;
• first and second opposed stabilizers, each of which are connectable to said first and second opposed support structures;
• and
• a first force member connected to said base and a second force member connected to said top member,
• wherein each of said first and second force members comprises a ball bearing.

A method of creating a crack in a concrete sample to facilitate testing the self-sealing properties of the concrete sample, the method comprising:

• placing the concrete sample in a jig such that the concrete sample is centrally aligned relative to first and second force members of said jig, said jig comprising a base, first and second opposed support structures projecting from said base, a top member moveable relative to said support structures and being opposed to said base, first and second opposed stabilizers each of which are connectable to said first and second opposed support structures, said first force member connected to said base and said second force member connected to said top member;
• connecting said first and second stabilizers to said first and second support structures to engage the concrete sample;
• placing said jig into a hydraulic press so that said press engages said top member;
• and
• operating said press until the crack is created in the concrete sample,
• wherein operating said press until the crack is created in the concrete sample comprises contacting the concrete sample with respective ball bearings of said first and second force members.