Cyclic tests

Cyclic tests are dynamic laboratory or in-situ tests that subject materials, components, or structures to repeated loads (stresses, strains, or pressures) to evaluate their fatigue strength, durability, ductility, and hysteretic behavior over time. Essential in engineering, they are used to simulate real operating conditions (vibrations, earthquakes) to predict failures and improve safety.

Purpose:
To determine the fatigue life—that is, the number of cycles a material can withstand before failure—and to plot S-N (Wöhler) curves.
Procedure:
Cyclic loads (tension, compression, bending) with constant or variable amplitude are applied, usually starting at a load lower than the static breaking load.
Applications:
Automotive and aerospace components, composite or metal structures.

Difference Between Static and Cyclic Testing

Static: The load increases slowly and steadily until failure (maximum force).
Cyclic: The load oscillates repeatedly, often at intensities much lower than those required for static failure, but which cause structural degradation over time.

PROJECTS:

X-2002-1000 – Biaxial Testing Machine
X-2002-1000 Biaxial Testing Machine for Dynamic Testing of Railway Sleepers, subjected to tensile loading along the horizontal axis and simultaneous three- or four-point bending along the vertical axis. Load Frame Closed-loop load frame consisting of a fabricated steel structure comprising a lower working platform, four vertical reinforcing structures and an upper crosshead on which the vertical actuator is mounted. Frame dimensions: 3,600 × 6,100 × 4,350 h mm
- Maximum static force: 1,200 kN at 210 bar
- Maximum dynamic force: 1,000 kN at 210 bar
- Vertical force: 500 kN
- Horizontal actuator stroke: 250 mm
- Maximum vertical specimen clearance: 800 mm
- Maximum horizontal specimen …
BX0316 – Biaxial Testing Machine
BX0316 Biaxial Testing Machine for Static Tensile and Dynamic Four-Point Bending Tests on Bonded Rail Joints
- Tensile testing with horizontal loads of up to 1,600 kN
- Bending testing with vertical loads of up to ±350 kN
- Standard horizontal actuator stroke: 200 mm
- Standard vertical actuator stroke: 100 mm
- Fatigue testing fixture with adjustable supports within predefined ranges
- Maximum rail length under test: 1,600 mm
Indoor Test Bench for Railway Vehicle Traction and Coupling
Indoor Test Bench for Railway Vehicle Traction and Coupling
Indoor testing bench for measuring traction and coupling forces between railway vehicles. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Maximum longitudinal tensile force: 1,150 kN
- Maximum longitudinal compression force: 1,150 kN
- Lateral force applicable to the frame: ±100 kN
- Moment applicable to the frame: ±500 kNm
Maximum-performance stroke:
- X = 500 mm
- Y = 900 mm
- θ = ±15°
Translation speed along the X-axis: 0.25 m/s Translation speed along the Y-axis: 0.60 m/s Rotation speed about the Z-axis: 10°/s
FPF1000 – X-MRG-1907/1000
FATIGUE TESTING MACHINE FOR RAILWAY SLEEPERS
Four-column load frame (6,100 × 3,800 × 3,800 h mm).
- Static capacity: ±1,000 kN (280 bar)
- Maximum static force: 1,200 kN
- Dynamic force: max. 750 kN, min. 10 kN
- Cylinder stroke: ±100 mm
- Maximum dynamic stroke: 7 mm on the specimen at 5 Hz
- Specimen working clearance: 6,000 × 2,600 × 1,000 h mm
FPF500 – SERVO-HYDRAULIC TESTING MACHINE
Four-column testing machine equipped with lateral column reinforcements, designed to withstand test loads up to 500 kN without significant deformation.
The base features a slotted test surface for securing testing fixtures and equipment.
- Support surface: 2,900 × 1,500 mm
- Hydraulic lifting of the upper crosshead
FPF25 – SERVO-HYDRAULIC TESTING MACHINE
Two-column testing machine equipped with a servo-hydraulic actuator mounted above the upper crosshead and a slotted support base.
The load cell can be mounted either on the actuator or on the lower crosshead.
BX2112 – Servo-Hydraulic Testing System
Testing system for the characterization of sliding materials.
The Italsigma BX2112_1P is designed to determine the coefficient of friction between sliding elements used in structural bearings, in accordance with EN 1337-2:2002, Annex D. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Vertical load: 500 kN
- Horizontal load: 100 kN
Main components:
- Four-column frame designed to withstand a vertical load of 500 kN with high structural rigidity.
- Vertical actuator capable of applying a compression force of 500 kN at 210 bar, with a 100 mm stroke. The actuator is equipped with a servo valve and an LVDT transducer for piston displacement measurement.
- Force transducer for measuring the …
Rail Fastening System Testing Machine
Testing system designed for the characterization of rail fastening systems.
The system is designed to perform the following tests:
- Determination of the longitudinal rail resistance, in accordance with UNI EN 13146-1
- Determination of the torsional resistance of the rail, in accordance with UNI EN 13146-2:2012
- Determination of the rail clamping force and uplift stiffness, in accordance with UNI EN 13146-7
- Determination of stiffness, in accordance with UNI EN 13146-9
- Determination of pull-out resistance, in accordance with UNI EN 13146-10:2017
Rotating Bending – RB35
Constant-load rotating bending testing machine.
The testing system generates four-point bending with a constant bending moment along the specimen axis, while allowing continuous adjustment of the rotational speed around the longitudinal axis. The electromechanical testing machine is integrated into a tubular steel base and equipped with a protective polycarbonate enclosure. Test operation, control and data management are performed from a dedicated control console.
Plane Bending – MINI FP2
The MINI FP2 is a fatigue testing machine featuring a novel approach based on specimen miniaturization and cyclic plane bending loading.
The machine operates at a selectable test frequency of up to 50 Hz. MINI FP2 generates S/N curves for uniform test configurations and correlates the results with those obtained using standard-sized specimens.
LM10 – Linear Testing Machine
Two-column testing machine equipped with an electric actuator mounted on the upper crosshead and a slotted lower support base.
The load cell can be mounted either on the actuator or on the support base. The machine provides very high dynamic performance, with frequencies of up to 80 Hz.
Torsion Testing Machines
High-stiffness frame designed for torsion testing of femoral prostheses.
The torsional load is generated by an electronically controlled motor, with precise control of the angle of rotation. The lower test platform rotates and can apply a preload to the prosthesis.
Ortho 3 – 3-Axis Biomechanical Simulator
Three-axis biomechanical simulator for orthopaedic prostheses.
The machine features a four-column frame with an electric actuator mounted beneath the lower crosshead. The load cell can be mounted either on the lower or upper test surface. Equipped with a 6-axis load cell measuring Fx, Fy, Fz, Mx, My and Mz. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Vertical force: 10 kN
- Axial moment: 100 Nm horizontal / 100 Nm vertical
- Very high dynamic performance in the vertical direction
Hydraulic Gripping System for Tensile Testing
Self-centering hydraulic wedge grips with a one-piece steel body, suitable for tensile and compression testing as well as load cycles around zero, with forces of up to 100 kN.
Supplied with:
- 2 pairs of wedges for flat specimens from 0 to 10 mm thick
- 2 pairs of wedges for cylindrical specimens from 10 to 25 mm in diameter
Mechanical Gripping System for Tensile Testing
Mechanical grips for flat and/or round specimens, operating on a screw-clamping principle.
The grips are manufactured from 39NiCrMo3 quenched and tempered steel with a blued surface treatment, making them suitable for fatigue testing with loads of up to 20 kN. The gripping surfaces feature a knurled clamping system. Maximum gripping width: 30 mm Supplied with:
- 2 pairs of knurled grip plates for flat specimens from 0 to 8 mm thick
- 2 pairs of knurled grip plates for round specimens from 6 to 12 mm in diameter
These grips are suitable for installation inside an environmental chamber and for tensile testing of …
MU26 – Ultrasonic VHCF Testing Machine
Ultrasonic Testing Machine
Electromechanical testing machine equipped with an ultrasonic system for generating cyclic loads and a load frame with an electromechanical actuator for applying static loads. Test control, monitoring and data management are performed via personal computer.
Hip Prosthesis Fatigue Testing System
Testing system designed to perform static and fatigue tests on hip prostheses, consisting of:
- A lower fixation fixture onto which the prosthesis stem is cemented
- An upper loading fixture equipped with two orthogonal low-friction slides
- A temperature-controlled fluid bath in which the entire system is immersed, allowing tests to be performed in physiological solutions or other fluids while maintaining the temperature within a range close to ambient or body temperature.
Compression Platen System
System consisting of circular steel compression platens made of 38NiCrMo3 steel, complete with a spherical joint to compensate for minor misalignments.
The upper platen, equipped with a spherical joint, is directly connected to the actuator piston rod. Four elastic retaining rings keep the spherical joint assembly in position. The lower platen is connected to the load cell, which is in turn secured to the frame base. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Compression platen diameter: 125 mm
Seismic Simulation Testing Structure
Large-scale experimental testing system for dynamic testing of structural and non-structural components.
The system consists of four actuators and is capable of simulating the relative response of any pair of adjacent floors in buildings of any height. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Nominal operating pressure: 280 bar
- Displacement capacity: ±1,000 mm
- Force capacity: ±150 kN
- Spherical joints: 150 kN
Viaduct Beam Testing System
Testing system consisting of four servo-hydraulic actuators with a total capacity of 6,000 kN (1,500 kN per actuator), a hydraulic power unit and a control system.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Vertical force: 6,000 kN