The Bender Elements connect directly to the compact and easy-to-install smart unit comprising a signal generator and oscilloscope. Advanced user-friendly software then automates the analysis using a range of algorithms.

Bender Elements are encapsulated and mounted in inserts that are fixed into the base pedestal platen and top cap platen of a triaxial cell. They are carefully inserted into the soil specimen. When excited the bender element bends from side to side pushing the soil in a direction perpendicular to the length of the element thus having a large coupling factor with the soil.

Bender elements allow you to measure the maximum shear modulus (Gmax) of soil samples in order to evaluate their stiffness. Gmax (typically with shear strain levels of about 0.001%) is a key parameter in low-strain dynamic analysis used to predict soil behavior or soil structure interaction during earthquakes, explosion or machine and traffic vibrations.

This produces a shear wave, which propagates parallel to the length of the element into the soil sample. On the other end of the soil sample another bender element is forced to bend and produces an electrical signal that can be measured.

Main Features

COMPACT AND EASY-TO-INSTALL: This all-in-one turn-key system makes bender element testing easy and reliable. It conveniently includes all the necessary tools such as: Wave generator, Oscilloscope, PC software, Bender Element transmitter and receiver. 

ROBUST DESIGN: The length of the bender element inserted into the soil sample is optimized to avoid compromising the power transmitted or received by the elements. This improves resistance to breakage and makes sample preparation easier, particularly on very stiff samples where only a small recess for the element is required. 

VERSATILE The system can be either added as an option to Banded Triaxial cells (upgraded with suitable kits including pedestal, top cap and porous stone); used standalone with optional accessories or as an upgrade to other manufacturers’ systems.

HIGH PERFORMANCE: Determining S & P wave velocities enables more specimen parameters to be determined. High speed data acquisition of up to 15 Mega samples/second sample interval provides the resolution necessary for determining wave speeds

USER-FRIENDLY GRAPHIC USER INFERFACE (GUI): The intuitive software will guide the user in automating bender element tests and quickly producing realistic estimates of shear wave travel time using a range of algorithms (Time Difference, Cross Correlation and Phase Angle). This provides maximum flexibility for waves travel interpretation in the absence of international standard methods.

Technical Specifications:

Max working pressure: 3500 kPa

Multi-frequency test: up to 60 kHz

Bandwithdt: more than 100 kHz

Resolution of data acquisition (bits): 10

Multi wave generator (sine, haversine, morlet)

Data acquisition speed: up to 15 Mega samples/second

Gain range for data acquisition: x5 to x1000

Suitable for specimen with diameters ranging from 50 to 150mm.