title: Measurement of specimen dimensions and dynamic pressure in dynamic triaxial experiments.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: School of Aeronautics/Astronautics, Purdue University, 701 West Stadium Avenue, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-2045, USA.
authors.forename: Md E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Kabir
authors.forename: Weinong W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Chen