Rock Testing Laboratory
Laboratory Director: Dr. Marion Nickmann
The rock testing laboratory is available to the members of the department for research and investigations on permanent and variable solid rock samples. The core of the laboratory is the equipments for rock strength testing, such as the force/deformation controllable ToniNorm compression test facility with one 2000 kN and 200 kN test frame each or the point load devices that can be used both in stationary and mobile setting. The assessment of tool wearing can be carried out by Cerchar abrasivity testing. However, mineralogical-petrographic methods such as thin section microscopy, scanning electron microscopy or X-ray diffraction are increasingly applied in rock investigations.
Uniaxial Compression Test
with digital recording of longitudinal and optionally transverse deformation for determination of unconfined compressive strength (UCS), elastic properties (Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio) and specific destruction work (Wz) (according to THURO)
Point Load Test
for indirect determination of the compressive strength or tensile strength of cubes, cylinders or irregularly shaped test specimens
Abrasivity Tests
Cerchar Abrasivity Test
Determination of the Cerchar abrasivity index (CAI) to evaluate rock abrasivity
LCPC Abrasivity Test
Determination of the LCPC abrasivity coefficient (LAK) and the LCPC crushability coefficient (LBK) to evaluate rock abrasiveness and crushability
Petrographic-mineralogical Investigations
Production and evaluation of thin sections, qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the mineral content in thin sections, determination of the equivalent quartz content, determination of wear indices (VHNR, Schimatzek index, modified Schimatzek index), investigations with the scanning electron microscope, semi-quantitative investigations with X-ray diffractometry
Brazilian Test
carried out on cylindrical test specimens
Investigations on Variable Solid Rocks
Crystallization Test
with Glauber's salt solution to assess the weathering resistance of rocks according to DIN 52111
Variability Test according to NICKMANN (2009)
Nickmann, M. (2009): Abgrenzung und Klassifizierung veränderlich fester Gesteine unter ingenieurgeologischen Aspekten. Technische Universität, München.
Sieve drum test according to FRANKLIN & CHANDRA (1972)