I am currently asking for bids for my new rock mechanics laboratory. The testing capabilities will be as described below, and I hope to be operational starting September 2006. These capabilities in conjunction with the petrographic analysis capabilities in the Geoscience Department will offer a full service for laboratory characterization of rock and discontinuities.

Point load test

• Point load index and correlation to the unconfined compressive strength per ISRM and ASTM.

Schmidt hammer test

• Joint wall compression strength.

Unconfined compression tests on intact rock:

• Unconfined compressive strength per ISRM and ASTM.
• Deformability properties before peak: elastic moduli, Poisson’s ratio per ISRM and ASTM.
• Post-peak behavior to determine released energy (e.g., rock-bursting).
• All tests can be either static or dynamic, including earthquake acceleration, velocity or displacement history.

Triaxial tests on intact rock:

• Core diameters from 25 to 65 mm (0.5 to 2.5 in); core heights up to 130 mm (5.1 in).
• Cell pressure up to 70 MPa (10 ksi) independently controlled (e.g., this is not available with Hoek cell).
• Maximum axial stress: 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) for 65 mm (2.5 in) core, 435 MPa (63 ksi) for 54 mm (2 in) NX core, 550 MPa (80 ksi) for 48 mm (1.9 in) NQ core.
• Automatic conventional compression and extension triaxial tests per ISRM and ASTM standards.
• Automatic user-defined stress paths and K₀-conditions.
• Axial and circumferential deformation control available for feed-back control to capture post-peak behavior, including snap-back.
• Radial hydraulic permeability tests under triaxial conditions to detect presence and effect of microfissures on permeability.
• Hydraulic fracture tests under triaxial conditions.
• All tests can be either static or dynamic, including earthquake acceleration, velocity or displacement history.

Direct shear tests on discontinuities and on intact rock:

• Maximum normal force 500 kN (110 kip); maximum shear force 300 kN (70 kip).
• Cylindrical and cubical samples up to 150 mm x 150 mm (6 in x 6 in).
• Maximum stresses on 100 mm x 100 mm (4 in x 4 in) sample: normal stress 50 MPa (7,200 psi), shear stress 30 MPa (4,300 psi).
• Determination of joint normal and shear stiffness, and dilatancy vs. normal and shear displacement: max 100 mm (4 in) shear displacement, max 12 mm (0.5 in) normal displacement.
• Determination of peak shear strength envelope as well as residual strength and strength degradation.
• Tests under constant normal stress, constant stiffness, or user defined boundary conditions.
• Application of user defined static and dynamic loading, including earthquake acceleration, velocity or displacement history.

In addition, the following tests can be performed at the Geoscience Department:

· Thin section and petrographic analysis using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and electron microprobe analysis.

· X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) for determining the characteristics of crystalline structure and the mineralogy of finer grained sediments, especially clays. 

· Density and porosity.