Figure 2.

Schematic of the custom-built, controlled-strain, linear, simple-shear rheometer system. A LVDT displacement transducer (Schaevitz MHR 250) is attached to the shaft of the linear motor through an actuator, for estimation of shear strain of the specimen. The resulting shear force (F) at the lower plate is detected by a piezoelectric force transducer (PCB Model 209C12). A normal load transducer measures the compressive force between the specimen and the plates. A micrometer allows one to adjust the gap size (d) between the two plates to accommodate specimens of varying dimensions. Mechanical testing is performed in an environmental chamber at controlled temperature and humidity.