Multi‑functional Consolidation Apparatus

Product Specification

Multi‑functional Specimen Preparation and Testing System (Multi‑functional Consolidation Apparatus) Model BTU-CSA-3

Description

This equipment is amulti‑functional specimen preparation and testing system (multi‑functional consolidation apparatus), modelBTU-CSA-3. It is mainly used for preparing homogeneous soil specimens and performing various consolidation tests. The system offers high‑precision control of stress and deformation conditions, with a high degree of automation. The entire testing process can be computer‑controlled via servo control, with real‑time acquisition and analysis of specimen surface conditions, internal stress‑strain state, and internal pore water pressure distribution. Main functions:

• Preparation of homogeneous soil specimens
• Step‑loading consolidation test
• Constant rate of strain (CRS) consolidation test
• Constant rate of loading (CRL) consolidation test
• Real‑time measurement of pore water pressure at multiple positions

Test Standards (International)

• ASTM D2435(One‑dimensional consolidation of soils)
• ASTM D4186(Constant rate of strain consolidation – CRS)
• ASTM D4546(Load‑unload‑reload consolidation)
• ISO 17892‑5(Consolidation test)
• BS 1377‑6(Consolidation test)
• ASTM D698(Compaction test – related to specimen preparation)

The equipment can meet the requirements of these standards for loading control, displacement measurement, pore pressure monitoring, etc.

Specification

Detail

• Multi‑function integration– Can both prepare homogeneous specimens (e.g., by compaction or consolidation moulding) and perform various consolidation tests (step loading, CRS, CRL).
• Large specimen size– Pressure cell Ø300 mm × 600 mm height, suitable for coarse‑grained soils or large specimens, reducing scale effects.
• High‑precision servo control– Load, displacement, and speed are servo closed‑loop controlled, accuracy ±0.1% FS.
• Multi‑position pore pressure measurement– Pore pressure sensors can be installed at different heights in the pressure cell to monitor internal pore water pressure distribution, useful for effective stress analysis in saturated or unsaturated soils.
• Wide loading speed range– 0.00001–9 mm/min, covering creep, slow consolidation, and rapid loading.
• Long stroke– 600 mm, allowing large deformation consolidation or compression tests.
• Water collection tank– 20 L capacity for collecting drainage, facilitating volume change measurement.
• Flexible control– Can be operated via electromagnetic switch, software, or LCD panel, accommodating different user preferences.
• Durable material– Pressure cell made of 304 stainless steel, corrosion‑resistant for long‑term use.

Application

• Homogeneous specimen preparation– Provides uniform, repeatable specimens for subsequent triaxial, direct shear, permeability, etc., tests.
• Large‑scale consolidation tests– Determine consolidation characteristics of coarse‑grained soils, rockfill, soft rock, etc.
• CRS/CRL rapid consolidation– Quickly obtain consolidation parameters, saving time.
• Pore pressure distribution studies– Study internal pore pressure evolution under different drainage boundary conditions, verifying consolidation theory.
• Long‑term creep– Measure deformation and pore pressure changes under constant load to analyse secondary consolidation behaviour.
• Environmental geotechnics– Study consolidation behaviour of contaminated soils, expansive soils, etc.

Advantages

• High precision– Control accuracy ±0.1% FS, meeting research requirements.
• Large size and long stroke– Ø300×600 mm specimen, 600 mm stroke, suitable for large deformation and large‑particle materials.
• Multi‑function– Specimen preparation + step loading + CRS + CRL + multi‑position pore pressure measurement – all in one system.
• Fully automatic servo control– Computer control, real‑time data acquisition, automatic parameter calculation.
• Multi‑position pore pressure– Allows study of spatial pore pressure distribution, unlike conventional single‑sensor measurements.
• Large‑capacity water collection tank– 20 L, suitable for drainage collection from large specimens.
• Flexible operation– Panel keypad + LCD + software, multiple control options.
• Robust construction– Integral load frame, high rigidity, low vibration.

What To Choose

Select this equipment or compare with other models based on testing requirements:

Process Flow

Example:Homogeneous specimen preparation + CRS consolidation test (with multi‑position pore pressure measurement)

• Specimen preparation
  • Mix soil to target water content, place into the pressure cell (Ø300×600 mm) in layers.
  • Use the servo loading system to compact each layer to target dry density, producing a homogeneous specimen.
  • During preparation, embed pore pressure sensors at different heights (e.g., at 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 of specimen height).

• Installation and sealing
  • Install the top cap, connect loading piston, displacement sensor, and multi‑channel pore pressure sensors.
  • Connect drainage lines to the water collection tank (20 L).
  • If saturation is required, perform vacuum saturation or back pressure saturation.

• Set test parameters
  • In the software, select “CRS consolidation module”.
  • Set a constant strain rate (e.g., 0.01 mm/min).
  • Set maximum axial strain (e.g., 20%) or maximum axial load (30 kN).
  • Set data acquisition interval (e.g., 1 second).

• Start the test
  • The servo loading system pushes the piston downward at a constant rate.
  • The software records axial load, axial displacement, pore pressures at multiple positions, and time in real time.
  • Plots stress‑strain curve and pore pressure‑strain curves for each sensor.

• Stop condition
  • Automatically stops when the preset strain or maximum load is reached.

• Disassembly and cleaning
  • Unload, remove the specimen, measure final water content.
  • Clean the pressure cell, pore pressure sensors, lines, and water collection tank.

• Data processing
  • Based on CRS theory, the software calculates the overall coefficient of consolidation Cv (using average or bottom pore pressure).
  • Compare pore pressure responses at different heights to analyse pore pressure dissipation patterns.
  • Calculate compression index Cc, pre‑consolidation pressure Pc, etc.
  • Export data and generate a test report.

For step‑loading consolidation: Set a load sequence (e.g., 50, 100, 200, 400, 800 kPa); record displacement and pore pressure over time at each load step.
For specimen preparation only: Use the compaction program to compact layers without performing a consolidation test.

Summary:The BTU-CSA-3 is a multi‑functional specimen preparation and testing system (multi‑functional consolidation apparatus) that integrates homogeneous specimen preparation with various consolidation tests. It features a large specimen size (Ø300×600 mm), axial load up to 30 kN, stroke of 600 mm, and supports step loading, CRS, CRL, and real‑time multi‑position pore pressure measurement. Control accuracy is ±0.1% FS, with fully automatic servo closed‑loop control. It is suitable for studying consolidation characteristics of coarse‑grained soils, rockfill, and large specimens, as well as preparing homogeneous specimens. Selection should consider the required load capacity, specimen size, and need for multi‑position pore pressure measurement. For routine small‑size consolidation tests, a smaller consolidometer may be more cost‑effective.