Test Techniques and Test Systems

Standard procedures have been developed for conducting appropriate tests at a certain specified range of loading rates. Standard test procedures for uniaxial strength tests recommend a specific range of strain rate. Controlling the time of testing is crucial at high temperatures. One of the most important engineering properties is the elastic response, particularly Young's modulus. Static methods for determining Young's modulus include bending, uniaxial tensile, and compression tests. The Coefficient of Thermal Expansion is one of the most important engineering properties of materials in addition to their strength. Compression tests are performed for determining strength, as well as for determining creep properties. They can be divided into three basic types of tests: uniaxial, biaxial, and triaxial or multiaxial. The in situ shear and triaxial tests, conducted to evaluate the stability of rock masses for dam foundations and other mining and civil engineering applications, were adopted by ice engineers.