ABSTRACT
Axial Load: Axial load is measured by load cells designed and built at Nottingham University. They are disc load cells and consist of a loaded web shaped to give an approximately linear strain profile with radius. The load cell is attached to a top platten by means of vacuum permitting extension or compression loading. The bush device which guides the load ram is detachable from the outer cell enabling soft samples to be assembled without the risk of failure during preparation.
