Direct Shear Apparatus

Electronics
The whole electronic control core relies on our proprietary Automax controller. This microprocessor hardware captures and processes signals of load force, axial pressure and displacement. Through closed-loop control logic, it governs the motor, pressure regulating valve, safety protection modules and full test sequences. The front panel is built with scratch-resistant polycarbonate, fitted with a 10-key keypad and a large monochrome graphical LCD screen.

Included Electronic Transducers
The full package comes with these sensors:
• Bi-directional ±5kN load cell for compression and tension measurement; rated sensitivity 3 mV/V, accuracy ±0.15% full scale
• Bi-directional 5kN load cell for compression and tension measurement; rated sensitivity 3 mV/V, accuracy ±0.15% full scale
• 12.7 mm displacement transducer, measurement accuracy 0.003 mm, resolution 0.001 mm
• 25.4 mm displacement transducer with identical technical specifications

Main features
• Supports unlimited automatic consolidation loading sequences defined in advance
• Fully automatic test workflow running until sample failure; operators only need to undo the clamping fasteners on the shear box
• Eliminates bulky, heavy dead weight stacks
• No horizontally balanced lever arm assembly is required
• Vertical load transfers directly onto the shear box with zero friction
• Test parameters can be configured quickly through control software
• Variable travel speeds plus forward/reverse movement available for residual shear testing
• Two loading modes for every axial pressure step (DDS-5F):
 – Instant loading
 – Linear ramp loading over a user-defined time window
• Separate independent data logging modes for consolidation stage and sample failure stage
• Multiple available protocols to export measurement data via the RS232 serial port

Shear Box Parts & Accessories
Shear box assemblies are manufactured from brass, designed to hold water surrounding soil specimens. Each assembly adopts rigid square housing with either circular or square specimen cavities. The package includes adapter loading pad, retaining plate and two porous stones.

Data Acquisition Interface
The operator panel uses a 240×128 LCD display to visualize all test parameters in real time.
Cycle: Number of cyclic shear runs
Shear displac.(mm): Shearing displacement
Rate (mm/min): Shear velocity
Horiz. displac.(mm): Horizontal displacement

Software Modules
Data Acquisition Module
Standard Consolidation Module
Standard Shear Module
Quick Shear Module
Repeated Shear Module (Optional)
Post-processing Toolkit (Optional)