Loading system:
Adopting electric or hydraulic servo control to achieve precise stress or strain control loading.
The load range usually covers 1 kPa~5 MPa (adjustable) to meet the requirements of different soil samples.

Consolidation container:
Fix the soil sample with a standard ring knife (diameter 61.8 mm or 50 mm, height 20 mm), matched with permeable stones and filter paper.
Some models support parallel testing with multiple units (such as 4 units/6 units).

Sensor system:
Displacement sensor: High precision LVDT (resolution 0.1 μ m) monitors vertical deformation of soil samples.
Pressure sensor: Real time feedback of axial load to ensure loading accuracy.
Pore water pressure sensor (optional): used for measuring pore water pressure in saturated soil samples.

Data acquisition and control system:
Integrate industrial computer or embedded system, control the test process through software, and automatically record data (pressure deformation time curve).
Supports USB or network data transfer.

Consolidation test: Determine the deformation characteristics of soil under different pressures through step-by-step loading, calculate parameters such as compression coefficient, compression modulus, and pre consolidation pressure.

Automated operation: Fully automated loading, data collection, real-time monitoring, and result analysis to reduce human error.

Long term monitoring: supports long-term tests (such as secondary consolidation tests) to simulate the long-term settlement of soil under actual loads.

product Feature

High precision control: Load resolution ≤ 0.1% FS, deformation measurement accuracy ± 0.1% FS.

Intelligent algorithm: Automatically determine the deformation stability standard (such as deformation amount ≤ 0.01 mm per hour).

Multi functional software

Pre set standard test templates (such as GB/T 50123, ASTM D2435).
Support custom loading paths (such as ramp loading, loop loading).
Real time display of curves, exporting Excel or PDF reports.
Security Protection : Overload protection, displacement over limit alarm, power-off data storage.

The soil Consolidometer can perform normal slow consolidation tests and rapid consolidation tests to determine the pre consolidation pressure and consolidation coefficient;

Consolidation Test Apparatus New function:
Determine the collapsibility coefficient, self weight collapsibility coefficient, leaching deformation coefficient, and collapsibility starting pressure of loess; Rebound modulus, time period, pressure period (loading and unloading) can be set arbitrarily (programmed) during the test process, with voice prompts (displayed) for water injection, time period, formatting, etc.

Note: Select according to the experimental requirements
1. Deformation sensor (hydraulic): 0-12.7mm (accuracy 0.005mm)
2. Deformation sensor (national standard): 0-12.7mm (accuracy 0.01mm)

Optional function: One computer can be selected to collect 32 soil samples simultaneously; Low voltage, medium voltage, and high voltage integrated control and acquisition systems can also be selected.

The Soil Oedometer system has the characteristics of stable and reliable air pressure control, low noise, separate control of consolidation pressure, and easy installation of software system.

The upper computer software complies with national standards and automatically collects, records, stores, calculates, processes, draws graphics, and exports reports.

1.Core advantages and technological comparisons

Q: What is the biggest difference between a fully automatic consolidation instrument and a traditional mechanical lever consolidation instrument?

Loading method: Traditional consolidation instruments rely on manual handling of weights and amplification of loading through leverage, which is labor-intensive and prone to instantaneous impact; The fully automatic consolidation instrument adopts pneumatic, hydraulic, or high-performance servo motor closed-loop control, ensuring smooth loading.

Data collection: Traditional methods require manual reading of the dial gauge and recording of time points (10s, 30s, 1min...) with a stopwatch; The fully automatic instrument collects real-time high-frequency displacement and pressure data through computer software, and automatically draws e-lg p or s-lg t curves.

Multi stage fully automatic: After setting the test plan (such as from 12.5kPa to 25-50 to 100 to 200 to 400kPa), the system will automatically switch to the next level of load after meeting the consolidation stability standards of each level (such as less than $0.005mm/d), without the need for manual supervision.

Q: What is the difference between pneumatic and servo motor fully automatic consolidation instruments?

Pneumatic (more common): relying on an external air pump (air compressor), the cylinder output is controlled through a high-precision pressure regulating valve. High cost-effectiveness and mature technology, but the air pump produces some noise during operation, and the high-pressure section is limited by the pressure of the gas source.

Electric servo type: directly driven by ball screw and servo motor, without the need for air source. Extremely high control accuracy, minimal vibration, smoother low load control, compact size, but relatively high equipment cost

2. Experimental operations and specifications

Q: What standard consolidation tests can the fully automatic consolidation instrument perform?

Generally supports mainstream international and domestic standards:

ASTM D2435/D4546 (Standard one-dimensional consolidated/expansive soil test)

BS 1377:5 (British Standard Consolidation Test)

GB/T 50123 (Chinese standard for geotechnical testing methods)

In addition to the standard Incremental Loading, some high-end models also support Constant Rate of Strain (CRS) consolidation, which can significantly reduce testing time.

Q: How to define the "consolidation stability standard" in software?

Software typically provides two triggering conditions for determining the next level of loading:

1). Time control: Force each level of load to maintain a fixed time (such as 24 hours).

2). Deformation control (more intelligent): Set a deformation rate threshold, for example, when the vertical settlement rate of the soil sample is less than 0.001mm/hr or $0.005/d, the software automatically determines that the current level of consolidation is complete and immediately applies the next level of load.

3.Equipment troubleshooting and maintenance

Q: Why is the settlement data collected at the beginning of the experiment negative (the soil sample seems to be expanding)?

There are several possibilities:

Soil sample self expansion: If it is an unsaturated soil or strongly expansive soil that is not completely saturated, it will absorb water and expand when it encounters water in the consolidation instrument water tank.

Initial displacement of the system: The first level load is too small to overcome the gap between the loading head and the soil sample, or the zero drift of the sensor under extremely small loads.

Reverse rebound: Check if the direction of the air circuit or motor is reversed.

Q: Why is the reading of the load cell unstable or consistently unable to reach the set target value?

Pneumatic equipment: Check if the air pump pressure is sufficient (the output pressure of the air pump must be higher than the air pressure required for the maximum load of the instrument), and check if there is any slight air leakage in the air circuit.

PID parameters not adjusted: The fully automatic equipment relies on PID algorithm to control the closed-loop. If too hard or too soft soil samples are replaced, the control parameters may need to be fine tuned to prevent pressure overshoot or oscillation.

Sensor damage: If the reading shows irregular jumps, it may be due to electromagnetic interference on the displacement sensor (LVDT) or pressure sensor, loose wiring, or sensor damage.

4.Key consumables and selection considerations 

Q: What additional accessories are required when purchasing a fully automatic consolidation instrument? 

Air compressor/air pump (if air pressure type is selected): It is recommended to configure an air pump with silent and automatic drainage/air drying functions, as humid air can damage the high-precision proportional valve. 

Cutting Rings of different specifications: Common areas include 30 cm 2 or 50 cm 2 , with a thickness typically of 2cm. Ensure that the size of the consolidation container Cell of the instrument matches the ring cutter. 

Multi split controller: Laboratories typically require running multiple soil samples simultaneously. When selecting, attention should be paid to how many channels the central control box supports for independent expansion, usually including 3, 6, 12, etc.