Tensile Testing
Tension testing is available for commonly used grades and sizes of bolts, using either wedge washers or proof washers. Testing of complete fastener assemblies can be completed or a threaded bolt holder can be used to test just the bolt, as shown here.
Load and displacement data can be continuously acquired and recorded using either the machine displacement or displacements from external transducers.
Shear Testing
Shear testing is available for commonly used grades and sizes of bolts using custom fixtures arranged in either tension or compression. Two sets of concentric consumable bushings machined from grades of steel similar to structural grades are used to simulate the bearing stress distribution on the bolt and to protect the main body of the fixtures from damage. Testing can be performed on fasteners alone or on fastener assemblies in either the snug tight or fully tensioned configurations with the threads either excluded or not excluded from the shear plane.
Load and displacement data can be continuously acquired and recorded using either the machine displacement or displacements from external transducers.
Joint Assembly Testing
Joint assemblies can also be tested to characterize overall behavior including slip characteristics, bearing and tear-out strength, the strength of the bolt group, etc. Loads of up to 400,000 lbs can be applied, typically in tension, while data is continuously acquired using state-of-the-art National Instruments hardware and a wide variety of instrumentation.
Material Testing
Material testing can be performed on standard coupons conforming to ASTM E8 and A370.
Preinstallation / Rotational Capacity Testing
Rotational capacity testing can be completed using using a custom built testing apparatus wherein applied torque, nut rotation, and bolt tension are continuously recorded via an electronic data acquisition system.