| abstract |
A simple shear device and method for its use to test stress and strain characteristics of earthen samples and powders. The shear device particularly comprises a stacked plurality of plates which are slidably movable laterally relative to one another, which plates have a hollow central area for holding a cuboidal sample and spaced first and second platens having faces at between parallel and 45° relative orientation to one another, between which the plurality of plates containing the sample may be placed. A first force may be applied to the first platen urging it toward the second platen to compress the sample therebetween; a second force is applied to one of the platens to urge the platen in an angular direction relative to the direction of the first force to apply a shear force to the sample. The resulting stresses and strains in the sample are monitored when the forces are applied to the sample while confined between the platens. |