Long-Term Pavement Performance Materials Characterization Program: Verification of Dynamic Test Systems With An Emphasis On Resilient Modulus

Chapter 2. GENERAL EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

To perform the complete dynamic test system evaluation, it is necessary to have available certain pieces of equipment. The equipment should be selected based upon the experiments to be conducted. This equipment includes:

• Computer with sufficient hardware/software for data analysis.
• Oscilloscope (two or more channels).
• Sine wave generator.
• Digital voltmeter with resistance-reading capabilities.
• Mechanical oscillator (to simulate deformation device movement)—this is generally a custom built apparatus.
• Strain indicator, in this case, Measurements Group P-3500 (or similar).
  • One micro strain resolution.
  • Balanced signal disable capability.
  • Digital readout.
• Cables for connecting signal conditioner/data-acquisition inputs and outputs to test instruments. These cables may incorporate attenuation, termination, or identification resistors.
• Cables for connecting the load cell(s) to the strain indicator.
• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)-traceable proving ring(s).
• Independent LVDT with power source and signal conditioning.
• A micrometer head-based calibrator with .001 millimeter (mm) resolution (for ±2.5 mm calibration).
• Pressure gauge for an independent measurement (secondary pressure gauge) of the pressure inside the triaxial cell. The gauge should have a capacity of at least 170 kilopascals (kPa).
• Independent calibrated temperature gauge.
• All applicable equipment required by the test procedure.

These pieces of equipment will be used to verify the operating accuracy of all essential system components in a logical manner.