Measuring and testing – Specimen stress or strain – or testing by stress or strain... – Earth stresses
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-05
2002-08-13
Noland, Thomas P. (Department: 2856)
Measuring and testing
Specimen stress or strain, or testing by stress or strain...
Earth stresses
C073S843000, C073S847000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06431006
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to techniques for testing soil.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is often important to determine properties such as the resistance of soil to liquefaction, the degradation characteristics of soil, the shear modulus of soil at low levels of shear deformation, and the variation in shear modulus of soil with shear deformation. Commonly, these soil properties, as well as others, are necessary for analyses which predict the response of a site or foundation structure system to dynamic loading caused by earthquakes, ocean waves, or mechanical vibrations.
Soil properties may be determined by in situ field tests. For example, the liquefaction resistance of the soil may be determined by penetration tests that involve penetrating a closed-ended probe into the ground at a slow, controlled rate or driving a cylinder into the ground by violent impacts. The resistance of the soil to liquefaction is correlated to the resistance of the probe or cylinder during penetration.
A technique that can measure the resistance to liquefaction by torsionally exciting the soil is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,594,899 and 5,203,824 to Robert and Wanda Henke. In these patents, the illustrated testing device includes a pair of concentric open-ended cylinders that are inserted into the soil to be tested. A torque may be applied to the inner cylinder and the response of the cylinder in the soil to the applied torque may be measured by sensors mounted on the inner cylinder.
In such soil tests, a borehole is drilled to access a soil sample and the testing device is lowered down the borehole to test the soil. The testing device may be secured to an auger in the borehole. The testing device may be subjected to substantial applied forces or torques or other reaction forces from the soil. Thus, the auger to which the testing device is anchored may serve as a reaction means to carry out various operations on the testing device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A soil testing assembly includes a soil testing cylinder and a housing. An extractor rod connects the testing cylinder and the housing while allowing relative axial movement between the rod, the housing and the testing cylinder.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3709031 (1973-01-01), Wilson et al.
patent: 3712121 (1973-01-01), Fletcher et al.
patent: 3797301 (1974-03-01), Hawes
patent: 4302967 (1981-12-01), Dufey
patent: 4594899 (1986-06-01), Henke et al.
patent: 5203824 (1993-04-01), Henke et al.
patent: 5931237 (1999-08-01), Henke et al.
patent: 3 905409 (1990-08-01), None
patent: 4328540 (1994-01-01), None
patent: 64753 (1982-11-01), None
patent: 56-142913 (1981-11-01), None
patent: 58-71432 (1983-04-01), None
patent: 59-52730 (1984-03-01), None
patent: 60-73432 (1985-04-01), None
patent: 8-285747 (1996-11-01), None
Derwent abstract SU 499517A “Rotational Sheer Soil tester—with hydraulic cylinder compressing gas and second turning sheering by rack and pinion” Assignee Power Syst Elec Net, Mar. 1976.*
Derwent abstract of SU 653553 A “Shear torque firmness testing—by rotating blades and cylindrical cover together with, and separate from, specific torque measurement in each case” Chernikov et al, Mar. 1979.*
Derwent abstract of SU 873018 B Solid Sheer strength test tool—with concave half-cylindrical blades on shank Chernikov et al, Oct. 1981.*
Derwent abstract of SU 1154586 A “Solid Sheer strength test stand—uses recording device with hydraulic cylinder with spring-loaded upright” Assignee Energosetproekt, May 1985.*
Dynamic In Situ Geotechnical Testing, Inc. Report prepared thereby for the U.S. National Science Foundation and the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, In Situ Nonlinear Shear Stress vs Strain Characteristics for Shallow Layers of Soil: 1-10/La Cienega Blvd., Undercrossing, Los Angeles, California, Appendix A: Simplified Torsional Cylindrial ImpulseShear Test, Prototype Testing Systems, and General Procedures. Nov. 1996. pp. A1-A5, especially: p. A1, A3 and A4 and p. A5, lines 1-7.
Henke Robert
Henke Wanda
Dynamic In Situ Geotechnical Testing Incorporated
Noland Thomas P.
Trop Pruner & Hu P.C.
LandOfFree
Soil testing assemblies does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Soil testing assemblies, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Soil testing assemblies will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2904745