Title: The strongest cable testing machine in the world: design and experiments

Authors: T . H . Erismann

Addresses: CH-82 12 Neuhausen, Tannenstrasse 27, Switzerland

Abstract: It is demonstrated how, by combining unconventional design and revolutionary technology, the strongest cable testing machine in the world could be built at a surprisingly low cost. Technical highlights are the conception of |multiple cylinder| actuators, each equipped with three active cylinder chambers in linear array, and the application of |floating| sealing rings, able to slide within very thin-walled (|breathing|) cylinders without any metallic contact. In spite of its unorthodox conception the machine from the very beginning was remarkably easy to operate. ELS (|Experiments with Long Specimens|) was entirely conceived and built by specialists of the Swiss Federal Laboratory for Materials Testing and Research (EMPA) at Dubendorf/Zurich.

Keywords: materials testing; cable testing; testing equipment; testing machines; bridge cables; prestressing cables; mooring cables; sealing rings; thin-walled cylinders; multiple cylinder actuators.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.1989.036737

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 1989 Vol.4 No.3, pp.273 - 284

Published online: 06 Nov 2010 *

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