Meso-scale chute / channel / box for physical modelling of geotechnical problems



The box is equipped with a
- motorized hopper for the soil deposition by pluviation
- hydraulic jack for controlling the box inclination
- motorized loading system apparatus
- hydraulic circuit for seepage modelling and water recirculation
- photographic monitoring system
- load cells, displacement transducers, strain gauges and micro-pore water pressure transducers
High-resolution Micro-CT scanner


The device has the following characteristics:
- X-ray source: 20-100kV,10W,<5µm spot size or 20-80kV, 8W, <8µm spot size
- X-ray detector: 11Mp, 12-bit cooled CCD fiber-optically coupled to scintillator;
- Maximum object size: 27mm in diameter (single scan) or 50mm in diameter (offset scan);
- Detail detectability <0.8µm at highest resolution.
Schneebeli apparatus

High-speed digital cameras


DSLR cameras

(10.1 MP, max res. 3888×2592).

(18 MP, max res. 5184×3456).

(18MP APS-C, max res. 5184 x 3456).
Depth camera

GNSS receiver

Labview
Chassis and modules





Arduino

Raspberry




Equipment


Sensors





For a glossary in the field of force measurement have a look here



Gauge types: FLK-6-23 (gauge factor 2.15), FLK-6-17 (gauge factor 2.13)

SlimLine, Fy = -1.7 … 1.7 kN

SlimLine, Fz = 0 … 26 kN


Important video instructions on the functioning and the use of 1-component Piezoelectric force sensors:




Granular materials



Micro-stages

Alluminium extruded profiles


References
Gabrieli, F., Cola, S., & Calvetti, F. (2009). Use of an up-scaled DEM model for analysing the behaviour of a shallow foundation on a model slope. Geomechanics and Geoengineering, 4(2), 109–122. https://doi.org/10.1080/17486020902855688
Gabrieli, F., Grigoletto, E., & Cola, S. (2010). Physical modeling of a drainage system on a layered sandy-clayey slope. Physical Modelling in Geotechnics - Springman, Laue & Seward (Eds), 2, 1107–1112.
Santomaso, A. C., Volpato, S., & Gabrieli, F. (2018). Collapse and runout of granular columns in pendular state. Physics of Fluids, 30(6), 63301. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5030779