[learn_more caption=”Virendra M. Puri”] Virendra M. Puri, University Distinguished Professor, has been involved in research in the field of powder science and engineering for over three decades. He served as the Acting Director of the NSF/IUCRC (Industry University Cooperative Research Center) – the Particulate Materials Center. Professor Puri has co-authored numerous publications. In addition, he is co-inventor and holder of patents in the area of powder flow, deposition and compaction. Professor Puri has a Copyright for multi-purpose computational software dealing with powder processing applications. He has been invited to serve on Editorial Boards, International Advisory Boards, and Chairperson of several bulk solids-related publications and professional activities. Professor Puri is Co-Editor-in-Chief of Particulate Science and Technology, An International Journal. He has presented and organized seminars, courses, and workshops in powder mechanics for industry and academic personnel. Professor Puri has received several teaching and research awards.[/learn_more]

The cubical triaxial tester (CTT) is one of the few test devices for characterizing the true 3D en masse mechanical behavior of materials in particulate, granular, and powdered forms. We will share an overview of the latest version of the cubical triaxial tester, which represents the culmination of over two decades of our research team’s effort. This will include the capabilities and limitations of the current test device. Results of select materials from the two commonly used stress paths, i.e., the hydrostatic triaxial compression (HTC) and conventional triaxial compression (CTC) will be discussed. Both stress paths are required and provide information essential for computational modeling of the compaction process. Recent results pertaining to testing of the hypothesis that the fundamental mechanical properties of the material in particulate form in the low pressure regime can be used to predict the strength of the particulate material in compacted form will be presented. We will conclude with a few select highlights of our ongoing work using the CTT.