Dynamic Triaxial Testing

Electro-mechanical and Pneumatic systems

When specifying a dynamic triaxial testing system
there are three main types of actuator to choose ELDyn Triaxial Frame and Cell
from: Pneumatic, Electro-mechanical or Hydraulic.
Each type of actuator can be suitable for a specific
type of testing. For years the standard actuator
type has been pneumatic, pneumatic actuators
have traditionally provided very cost effective but
low quality systems for triaxial testing. Pneumatic
systems are soft and very difficult to control
accurately because they are based on
compressed air pressure. Using air pressure as a
driving force is not an ideal solution because it
does rely on moving large quantities of air in and
out of the actuator so unless testing very soft
samples it is difficult to achieve meaningful results
at testing frequencies greater than 1Hz.

Electro-mechanical testing systems provide highly

accurate and reliable testing solutions. While
these systems have traditionally only been
available to well funded research institutions
recently GDS has released the new ELDYN
system which is more cost-effective (even rivalling
pneumatic systems in terms of cost) while still
providing the benefits of this type of actuator.

Hydraulic systems are generally used for either

higher loads (greater than 50kN) and where
testing frequencies greater then 10Hz are
required, as such they are not considered in this
document.

Specifications can be very misleading when

systems are being specified for dynamic triaxial
testing. For example, a common misconception is
that the control valve frequency (usually specified
at 70Hz) is the maximum operating frequency that
quoted as 2mm amplitude at 5Hz the system
a system can reliably test samples at. This is
user can expect to achieve this . The only limits
NOT actually the case. While 70Hz testing may
to this are the maximum loads specified for the
be achievable on a stiff sample of steel at very low
system.
loads when a soil is tested the achievable
amplitude with pneumatic systems tends to render
the maximum working frequency down to sub To accurately compare the performance of
1Hz. Maximum amplitudes are described for dynamic systems the full performance envelope
should be compared, not just the headline
pneumatic systems sometimes in the order of 8-
10mm at 5Hz, these claims are normally made statistics.
GDS Instruments
Unit 32 Murrell Green based on data where no sample is in place and as
such the load is zero. To achieve testing at With laboratory space at a premium the ELDyn
Business Park system has been designed to have as smaller
London Road reasonable load amplitudes is challenging in a
pneumatic system as the load is directly linked to footprint as possible and the only external
Hook resources required are a connection to mains
Hampshire the pressure in the actuator and as such to
increase the pressure / load more air must be electricity. No high powered compressor is
RG27 9GR
moved into the actuator. So, once again when needed or large air receivers.
: +44 (0)1256 382450 testing real soil the stated amplitudes are rarely
achievable. For more comprehensive information on
: +44 (0)1256 382451
dynamic systems please ask for the GDS
info@gdsinstruments.com GDS Dynamic systems are quoted with real-world whitepaper on the subject or contact GDS.
www.gdsinstruments.com specifications. So if the specification is

www.gdsinstruments.com
 Headline Specification comparison
Below are detailed typical quoted specifications for pneumatic system against those that are
guaranteed for GDS ELDyn.

Traditional Pneumatic GDS- ELDyn

Normally 5kN (occasionally 10kN
Available Dynamic but this usually degrades dynamic
performance due to increased
5kN or optionally 10kN
Load Ranges
piston area)
Usually <1Hz
Usable Frequency
Range
2Hz with reduced control 5Hz
accuracy
Maximum static
5kN or optionally 10kN Up to 10kN
axial load
Maximum 8mm @ 5Hz Under no load
displacement ?mm @ 5Hz Under full load 2mm @ 5Hz Under no load
amplitude at rated (will reduce significantly as load 2mm @ 5Hz Under full load
frequency increases)
Useful Frequency
<1Hz 5Hz
range
Suitable for small
No generally not enough control Yes
strain testing
Possibly but requires a high
Suitable for Long- Yes only draws the required
power compressor to be running
term testing
all of the time energy to maintain test
Internal
Sales Support submersible
No Yes As standard
loadcell to reduce
seal effects
Maximum Cell
1MPa Up to 3.5MPa available
Pressure
Automated control
of cell and back Available as an option Included as standard
pressure
Back Pressure
Typically 150cc 200cc
volume change
Back pressure
3 3
Tech Support volume change 10mm 1mm
resolution
Back pressure
2.5kPa 1kPa
resolution
Not efficiently due to compressed
Able to cycle
air volume must be moved
around Zero
completely from one side of
YES
Deviator load actuator to the other.
Require external
High power air YES NO
compressor
GDS Instruments
Unit 32 Murrell Green Is Load control
Business Park available ? Yes as standard
London Road dynamically?
Hook Modern USB
Usually RS232 or TCP/IP USB
Hampshire connection to PC
RG27 9GR Simple to use Not usually control loops can be
difficult to tune effectively
Simple software driven interface
system?
: +44 (0)1256 382450 Backed up by GDS
: +44 (0)1256 382451 NO YES
Technical Support?
info@gdsinstruments.com Quoted specifications are from pneumatic systems that are typically offered in competition with
www.gdsinstruments.com GDS products. Accuracy is not guaranteed and should be checked with each manufacturer. 2

To sign up to this e-newsletter please visit www.gdsinstruments.com

I SO 9001
RE GISTERE D FI RM

Ce rt if ic at e No.GB2001266
IN TERNA TION AL
AC CREDI TAT ION BOA RD

Re gist rat ion No. 0 044/ 1