Test Temperature: 15 to 20°C. Figures 1 and 2 show the test arrangement.
Fill the tube about one-third of its height with the test
sample and drop it 10 cm vertically five times on the floor. Improve
the compression by striking the side wall with a hammer between drops.
A further addition shall be made such that, after compaction or by
raising and dropping the tube 20 times and a total of 20 intermittent
hammer blows, the charge fills the tube to a distance of 70 mm from
its orifice.
Insert the plastic explosive into the tube and press it down with a wooden
die. Place the compressed pellet centrally in the recess within the plastic explosive.
Close it with a wooden disc so that it remains in contact with the test sample. Lay the
test tube horizontally on the 6 lead cylinders placed at 150 mm intervals (centric),
with the centre of the last cylinder 75 mm from the bottom plate, on a firm, level,
solid surface that is resistant to deformation or displacement. Insert the electrical
blasting cap or the detonating cord.
Ensure that all necessary safety precautions are taken,
connect and detonate the explosive.
Record, for each of the lead cylinders, the degree of compression
expressed as a percentage of the original height of 100 mm. For oblique
compression, the deformation is taken as the average of the maximum
and minimum deformation.