Progress to Date
- The work started by examining published literature on the topic. A list of key papers has been summarised and can be found here. This process will continue further into the project.
- The lab induction, which allows work to begin in the lab, has been completed with the relevant lab manager.
- An initial laboratory visit has been conducted. This included viewing the testing rig and the Instron 600 LX machine. This helped plan a safe method for carrying out the experimental work and develop a realistic risk assessment.
- Curing regime for the specimens has been selected. It was concluded that due to the availability of previous research on the effects of curing (Othman et al. 2013) all tests in this project will be performed on samples cured at the same environmental conditions. This will be done according to manufacturer's guidelines for achieving full cure. SikaDur 330 Product Data Sheet can be found here.
- Selected a temperature control methodology which would ensure any secondary cure effects during heating up prior to testing are consistent between all samples. Click here for more information.
- Data acquisition for the laboratory tests was decided. It will include the following:
- Digital Image Correlation technique for accurate measurement of sample displacements.
- Thermocouples for recording the test sample temperature.