Use of Hydraulic Systems for High-Rate Compression Testing

A methodology for correcting compression data to account for inertial effects observed during high-rate testing was proposed and applied to compacted kaolin clay samples. A comprehensive set of compression tests were conducted spanning compression rates from 0.8 mm/s to 914 mm/s, which correspond to strain rates ranging from 1 to 1200%/s for a typical triaxial test specimen. Sample-free tests were performed to assess the intrinsic response of the frame under high-rate commands and to quantify the inertial mass and the corresponding correction of the system. This inertial correction proved effective in mitigating the inertial effects encountered during high-rate compression tests, thereby extending the applicability of hydraulic systems to high-rate applications.