Rock and Soil Mechanical Lab Practical

Abstract

In this course, students will gain hands on experience performing laboratory and index tests commonly used in Rock and Soil Mechanics. The course is divided into two modules, with half the semester devoted to rock mechanic testing, and half to soil mechanics testing.

Objective

This course introduces the fundamentals of laboratory testing of rock and soil. Students will learn how to interpret laboratory data, the expected accuracy and limitations of common laboratory tests and the most appropriate testing method(s) for a given problem.

Content

In the Rock Mechanics lab, the following laboratory tests are performed: Ultrasonic velocity measurements, Point load test, Brazilian tensile test, Uniaxial compression test, Triaxial compression test. Through performing these experiments, students will get familiar with stress-strain curves, tensile, unconfined, and confined strength of rocks, Young’s modulus and Poisson ratio, and finally cohesion and friction angle of intact rocks. In the Soil Mechanics Lab, the following seven laboratory tests are performed: Sieve Analysis, Hydrometer Analysis, Atterberg Limits, Proctor Compaction, Direct Shear Test, Falling Head Permeability and Consolidation Test. Through performing these tests, students gain an understanding of the relationship between index properties and soil behavior, as well as the strength, deformability and hydraulic characteristics of soils.

Resources