Rock Testing Laboratory

Laboratory Director: Dr. Marion Nickmann

The Rock Testing Laboratory is available to the members of the department for research and analysis on permanent and variable 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 test. However, mineralogical-petrographic methods such as thin section microscopy, scanning electron microscopy or X-ray diffraction are increasingly applied in rock investigations. 

Feasible Experiments:

Rock specimen standardization
with stationary drilling machine, rock saw, disc grinding machine

Uniaxial compression test
with digital recording of longitudinal and transverse deformation
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 
indirect approach of determining compressive strength or tensile strength 
carried out on cubes, cylinders or irregularly shaped test specimens

 

Brazilian-Test
carried out on cylindrical specimen 

Cerchar-Abrasivity-Test 
Determination of the Cerchar-Abrasivity-Index (CAI) for evaluating abrasivity of rocks 

Petrographic-mineralogic Investigation
Production and Evaluation of thin sections 
Qualitativ und quantitativ analysis of the mineral contents in thin sections
Determination of the equivalent Quarz contents 
Determination of tool wearing index (VHNR, Schimatzek-Index, modified Schimatzek-Index)
Photo documentation
Analysis with the scanning electron microscope 
Half quantitative analysis with XRD

Crystallization experiment 
with Glauber's salt solution to evaluate the weathering resistance according to DIN 52111