The Elastomer Gage for Local Strain Measurement in Monotonic and Cyclic Soil Testing

Abstract

Abstract This study introduces a new type of local strain gages for soil testing called the elastomer gage. It is the first on-sample local strain gage that is flexible enough to be attached to the inside of a conventional latex membrane so that the gage is in full contact with the soil's sample surface. The gage has very versatile design characteristics including variable length and sensitivity, which enable measurement over a wide range of static and cyclic strains. The gage can be used in many testing systems including triaxial, torsional shear, and simple shear devices to directly measure axial, circumferential, and shear strains. The gage has been validated in triaxial and torsional testing systems using a “calibration sample” made of urethane with known stiffness.