LARGE-SCALE SOILS LABORTORY STRESS CELL

THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A LARGE SCALE SOIL LABORATORY FACILITY CAPABLE OF IMPOSING AXISYMMETRIC STRESSES UP TO 1,000 PSI ON CYLINDRICAL SOIL SPECIMENS AS LARGE AS THREE METERS IN DIAMETER IS PROPOSED. THE OPTION OF PHASED CONSTRUCTION OF A 1-1/2 METER DIAMETER, FOLLOWED BY CONSTRUCTION OF A THREE METER DIAMETER FACILITY IS OFFERED. THE DESIGN WILL INCLUDE ALL ANCILLARY SPECIAL EQUIPMENT TO REDUCE THE PER TEST COST, MINIMIZING LIFE CYCLE COSTS. BOUNDARY CONDITIONS ARE IMPOSED TO PREVENT UNDESIRABLE SHEAR LOADING THAT CAN CAUSE NECKING OR BULGING. PROVISION IS MADE FOR VARIATION OF RADIAL STRESS ALONG THE SPECIMEN LENGTH. CONTROL SYSTEMS WILL PROVIDE FOR STRESS CONTROL, STRAIN CONTROL OR PROGRAMMED CONTROL.