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Chapter 3
Additional System Details
• Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
• Controls and electronics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
• Hydraulic system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
• Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Frame
Test space
The DX frame is a dual test space frame capable of static tension and compression testing (with
exception - see NOTE below). The dual test space design provides both a dedicated tension test space (2,
Figure 9) and a dedicated compression test space (6). To accomplish this, the frame is made up of two
separate units: a loading unit and a fixed unit (see Figure 8). The loading unit applies the load to the
specimen during the test. The loading unit components are: a tension crosshead, two notched columns,
a compression table, and the hydraulic cylinder. The fixed unit acts as the rigid member during the test.
The fixed unit components are: an adjustable crosshead, two screw columns, and the base. The fixed
unit is supported in the base by a backlash eliminator assembly that provides enough force to support the
static weight of the components and prevent backlash from appearing in the test load.
Applying a load to the specimen is accomplished as follows. The HPS supplies hydraulic fluid, under
pressure, to the hydraulic cylinder located inside the base of the frame. This pressure forces the piston
out of the hydraulic cylinder which forces the loading unit upward so that a tensile load is applied to any
specimen mounted between the tension and adjustable crossheads, and a compressive load is applied to
any specimen mounted between the adjustable crosshead and the compression table.
The height of both the tension test opening and the compression test opening can be adjusted between
tests to accommodate different load train heights and specimen lengths. This is accomplished by
adjusting the position of the tension crosshead and/or adjustable crosshead. Adjusting the position of
the tension crosshead will affect only the height of the tension test opening. For more information on
adjusting the position of the tension crosshead, refer to information provided in the System Operating
Instructions (supplied separately). Adjusting the position of the adjustable crosshead will affect the
height of both the tension test opening and compression test opening. For more information on adjusting
the position of the adjustable crosshead, refer to information provided in the System Operating
Instructions (supplied separately).
Tension crosshead
The tension crosshead is supplied on frames with G1-style or G7-style crossheads only. The tension
crosshead is equipped with grip assemblies for tension testing. For more information on the grip
assemblies, refer to information provided in the System Operating Instructions (supplied separately).
When it is desired to use other tension fixtures instead of the grip assemblies to grip a specimen, external
DX frames that are equipped with G8-style crossheads are single test space frames capable of static
compression testing only.
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