Consolidation Stage Setup
The Consolidation Stage consists of one or more Stage cycles, each consisting of a three schedules – a Loading Phase, a Holding (constant) Phase and an Unloading Phase. You are able to set up a combination of these Stage cycles to achieve monotonic loading, loading and unloading, or multiple unload/reload loops that are applicable for the specific sample type being used.
In the Loading Phase of each Stage cycle, the Back Pressure is maintained at a specified value and the input Strain Rate is applied until either a particular Axial Stress is achieved or the specimen Axial Strain reaches a specified percentage. The data logging frequency is at the specified Strain change percentage.
In the Holding (constant) Phase, the terminal conditions from the Loading Phase are maintained until either the excess pressure dissipation reaches a specified percentage or the specified time period has expired. The data logging frequency can be set to your defined time interval.
In the Unloading Phase, a Strain Rate of half that used during the Loading Phase is applied until either a particular Axial Stress is achieved or the specimen Axial Strain reaches a specified percentage. The data logging frequency is at the specified Strain change percentage.