csCRS

Different CRS Test Setups

Our equipment enables 2 different CRS Test Setups; Load Frame based or ACONS2 based, so the appropriate Hardware needs to be selected as part of the Test setup.

The 2 different hardware setup screens are illustrated, the remainder of the Test setup details are the same.

Wizard Driven Setup

A powerful and intuitive Test Wizard will guide you through the Setup, from the selection of the Hardware to be used and details of the Specimen, through to the data you require for the Saturation and Consolidation stages.

Personalised Hardware Setup

Because laboratories and research establishments often have numerous Testing Stations, the Hardware setup screen has been designed with that in mind and will only show you the choices relevant to your selected Test Type and Installed Hardware, this enables you to easily select the right Instrument required for Control or Transducer Input.

Specimen Details Setup

The Dimensions setup screen will automatically calculate and display the Specimen’s Area, Volume and Height of Solids from the data entered. Similarly, the Moisture setup screen will automatically calculate and display the Specimen’s Water Content, Voids Ratio and Degree of Saturation from the entered data.

Saturation Stage Setup

The aim of the Saturation Stage is to obtain a specified percentage equalization of applied Back Pressure and measured Pore (base) Pressure within a specific time period. You achieve this by setting up one or more Stage cycles, each consisting of a Back Pressure (BP) Ramp and Check schedule.

For each Stage Cycle, the Back Pressure is first ramped to a pre-defined stress point with a set effective pressure whilst maintaining either constant Seating Pressure or Constant Specimen Height. The data logging frequency can be set to your defined time interval.

Then the Back Pressure is stepped by a specified amount and Saturation is considered complete if the measured Pore (base) pressure is within a specified percentage of the demanded pressure within a user defined time period.

A Stage cycle may be added if required by giving it a name and setting up the BP Ramp and BP Check values (two schedules).

Stage cycles may also be deleted if required.

The Test Plan Summary Panel in the bottom right hand corner of the main screen showing the test setup will display the Saturation Stage of the Test Plan that has been set up.

Consolidation Stage Setup

The Consolidation Stage consists of one or more Stage cycles, each consisting of a three schedules – a Loading Phase, a Holding (constant) Phase and an Unloading Phase. You are able to set up a combination of these Stage cycles to achieve monotonic loading, loading and unloading, or multiple unload/reload loops that are applicable for the specific sample type being used.

In the Loading Phase of each Stage cycle, the Back Pressure is maintained at a specified value and the input Strain Rate is applied until either a particular Axial Stress is achieved or the specimen Axial Strain reaches a specified percentage. The data logging frequency is at the specified Strain change percentage.

In the Holding (constant) Phase, the terminal conditions from the Loading Phase are maintained until either the excess pressure dissipation reaches a specified percentage or the specified time period has expired. The data logging frequency can be set to your defined time interval.

In the Unloading Phase, a Strain Rate of half that used during the Loading Phase is applied until either a particular Axial Stress is achieved or the specimen Axial Strain reaches a specified percentage. The data logging frequency is at the specified Strain change percentage.

Live Test Views

For both stages (Saturation and Consolidation), Clisp Studio enables you to monitor the Test progress both graphically and in the form of a table whilst the Test Stage is running. There are Predefined Graphs which plot using the usual axes and predefined Tables which display the most commonly measured parameters and expected results as the Test progresses, but you can also customize the desired Graphs and Tables from the list of variables that are relevant to that particular stage.

The Consolidation Results View provides you with the results of the Loading and Unloading schedules for each Stage Cycle including Void Ratio, Strain Ratio, Transient Function, Effective Axial Stress, Hydraulic Conductivity, Volume Compressibility, Coefficient of Consolidation and Pore Pressure Ratio.

The Consolidation Results Graphs available are:

Effective Stress;

• Void Ratio
• Axial Strain
• Consolidation
• PWP Ratio

Void Ratio;

• Consolidation
• Hydraulic Conductivity

Load and Strain Variations with Time;

• Axial Strain
• Axial Stress

Consolidation Results Table

The Consolidation Results Table provides you with;

• Effecive Axial Stress
• Excess Base Pressure
• Volume Compressibilty
• Hydraulic Conductivity
• Coefficient of Consolidation
• Transient Function
• Pore Pressure Ratio
  

Data Export and Import

Clisp Studio has the ability to export the entire Test to MS Excel for further data manipulation. The Test can also be exported to a script file which can be imported when creating a new Test if desired. This enables Tests from the current or older versions of Clisp Studio to be cloned or even rerun if required.This facility is extremely useful for Test exchange between laboratories or investigation of an issue by VJ Tech.